Sign Your Cover Letter: Expert Tips & Examples

The Importance of a Proper Cover Letter Closing

A cover letter serves as your introduction to a potential employer, offering a glimpse into your personality, skills, and experience. While the body of your cover letter focuses on showcasing your qualifications and expressing your interest in the role, the closing paragraph and signature are equally crucial. They provide a final opportunity to leave a positive impression and demonstrate professionalism. A well-crafted closing, coupled with the appropriate signature, can be the deciding factor that encourages the hiring manager to move your application forward.

The way you sign off your cover letter speaks volumes about your attention to detail and understanding of professional etiquette. A rushed or improperly formatted closing can undermine the positive impact of the rest of your letter. Therefore, understanding the best practices for signing your cover letter, including choosing the right closing salutation and knowing when to use a digital signature, is essential for maximizing your chances of success. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create a compelling and professional cover letter ending.

How to Sign a Cover Letter: Step-by-Step Guide

Signing your cover letter correctly is essential for making a strong final impression. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Choose a Professional Closing: Select a closing salutation that is appropriate for the tone and formality of the job application. Common options include “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” and “Best regards.”
2. Add a Blank Line: Leave one blank line after the closing salutation. This provides space for your signature.
3. Sign Your Name: If submitting a hard copy, sign your name in ink. Use a legible signature. For digital submissions, you can use a digital signature or type your name.
4. Type Your Name: Type your full name below your signature (or below the blank line if using a digital signature). This ensures that your name is clearly identifiable.
5. Add Contact Information (Optional): You can include your phone number or email address below your typed name, although this information is usually already included in your cover letter header.

Choosing the Right Closing Salutation

The closing salutation you choose should align with the formality of the company and the industry. Here’s a breakdown of some popular options:

• Sincerely: This is a classic and widely accepted closing, suitable for most job applications.
• Respectfully: This is a more formal option, appropriate for positions where you want to convey a high level of respect, such as when applying to government or academic institutions.
• Best regards: This is a professional and friendly option, suitable for a wide range of positions.
• Kind regards: Similar to “Best regards,” this closing is professional and courteous.
• Thank you: This closing is appropriate if you have expressed gratitude earlier in your letter.
• Yours truly: While traditional, this closing can feel a bit dated and is generally less common than the options above.
• Best: This is a shorter and more informal option, but it can be acceptable for companies with a relaxed culture.

Digital Signatures vs. Typed Names

In today’s digital age, most cover letters are submitted electronically. You have two main options for signing your cover letter digitally:

• Digital Signature: A digital signature is a visual representation of your handwritten signature that you insert into your document. You can create a digital signature using a stylus and a tablet, or by scanning an image of your signature. Make sure the digital signature is clear and legible.
• Typed Name: If you don’t have a digital signature, simply typing your full name is perfectly acceptable. This is a common and professional way to sign a digital cover letter.

Consider the context when choosing between a digital signature and a typed name. If you are applying to a more traditional company, a digital signature might add a personal touch. However, for most digital applications, a typed name is perfectly sufficient.

What Not to Do When Signing a Cover Letter

Avoid these common mistakes when signing your cover letter:

• Using Informal Closings: Avoid closings like “Cheers,” “Later,” or “Talk soon.” These are too casual for a professional cover letter.
• Omitting a Closing Salutation: Always include a closing salutation before your signature. Simply ending your letter with your name is unprofessional.
• Using Incorrect Grammar: Double-check the spelling and grammar of your closing salutation. For example, ensure you use “Sincerely” correctly and don’t misspell it.
• Forgetting to Sign (Hard Copy): If submitting a hard copy, don’t forget to physically sign your name in ink.
• Using an Illegible Signature (Hard Copy or Digital): Make sure your signature is reasonably legible. A scribble that is impossible to decipher won’t create a positive impression.

Formatting Your Cover Letter Closing

Proper formatting enhances the readability and professionalism of your cover letter closing. Here’s a simple guide:

• Spacing: Leave one blank line between your closing salutation and your signature (or typed name).
• Alignment: Align your closing salutation, signature (or typed name), and contact information (if included) to the left margin.
• Font: Use the same font and font size for your closing as you used for the body of your cover letter. Consistency is key.

Tailoring Your Closing to the Company Culture

While most cover letters benefit from a formal or semi-formal closing, you can subtly tailor your approach to match the company culture. For example:

• Traditional Companies: For companies with a formal and hierarchical structure, opt for closings like “Sincerely” or “Respectfully.”
• Modern or Startup Companies: For companies with a more relaxed and innovative culture, “Best regards” or even “Best” might be appropriate.

Research the company culture to determine the appropriate level of formality for your cover letter closing.

Using Action-Oriented Language in Your Closing

Your closing paragraph is a great place to reiterate your interest in the position and encourage the hiring manager to take action. Consider including a sentence that expresses your enthusiasm and invites further conversation. For example:

• “Thank you for your time and consideration. I am eager to learn more about this opportunity and discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your team.”
• “I am confident that I possess the qualifications and enthusiasm to excel in this role. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my application further in an interview.”
• “Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the possibility of joining your team and contributing to [Company Name]’s success.”

Proofreading Your Cover Letter Closing

Before submitting your cover letter, carefully proofread your closing paragraph and signature for any errors. Pay attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Even a small mistake in your closing can undermine your credibility.

When to Include a Postscript (P.S.)

While generally discouraged, a postscript (P.S.) can be used sparingly to add a final touch or highlight a particularly relevant achievement or skill. However, use it with caution and only if it adds significant value to your application.

Addressing Common Scenarios

• Applying to Multiple Positions: If applying to multiple positions within the same company, tailor your cover letter and closing to each specific role.
• Networking Contacts: If you were referred by a contact, mention their name in the body of your cover letter and consider using a closing like “Best regards” or “Sincerely.”
• Career Changes: When making a career change, emphasize transferable skills and express your enthusiasm for the new field in your closing.

Following Up After Submitting Your Application

After submitting your application, consider sending a brief follow-up email to reiterate your interest and thank the hiring manager for their time. This can help you stay top-of-mind and demonstrate your continued enthusiasm.

Cover Letter Closing Examples

Below are 23 sample closing paragraphs, demonstrating different levels of formality and highlighting specific skills. Note the variety in salutations and closing sentences.

23 Sample Cover Letter Closings