How to End a Cover Letter Professionally in 2026
Last week, someone shared their cover letter with me in our community forum. It was genuinely good — clear, specific, confident. And then I got to the last line.
"I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you for your time."
That's it. That's where it ended. After three strong paragraphs that showed exactly why they were a great fit, they just… faded out. Like a movie that runs out of budget before the final scene.
Here's the thing: a weak ending doesn't just feel anticlimactic. It actively undermines everything you built before it. The hiring manager's last impression of you is "meh." And in a pile of 200 applications, "meh" goes in the bin.
So let's fix that.
What Should the Last Paragraph of a Cover Letter Actually Do?
I get this question a lot — people treat the closing paragraph like a formality. A polite wave on the way out. But that's a missed opportunity.
The last paragraph of your cover letter should do three things simultaneously:
- Reaffirm your fit — one sentence that ties back to why you specifically are right for this role
- Make a clear ask — tell them what you want to happen next (a call, an interview, a conversation)
- Project confidence — not arrogance, but the quiet certainty of someone who knows they're worth a conversation
Most people only do the third thing, vaguely, and even then they phrase it in the most passive way possible. "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further" is technically a sentence but it has the energy of someone apologizing for existing.
Compare that to:
"I'd love the chance to discuss how my experience scaling customer support teams from 3 to 40 people could directly support Acme's expansion goals — I'm available for a call this week or next."
Same intent. Completely different energy.
And no, that's not "too forward." In my experience, hiring managers — especially at fast-moving companies — actually appreciate someone who knows what they want. It saves everyone time.
The 3 Cover Letter Endings That Actually Work (With Examples)
Look, I'm not going to give you one magic formula. What works depends on the company culture, the role, and your own voice. But from what I've seen reviewing thousands of cover letters through EasyCV.AI, these three approaches consistently land well.
1. The Confident + Specific Ask
This is the most universally effective closing. You're not begging. You're scheduling.
"I'm excited about the possibility of bringing this approach to [Company Name]'s growth phase. I'd welcome the opportunity to talk through how I can contribute — feel free to reach out at [email], or I'll follow up next week."
The follow-up line at the end is optional but powerful. It signals that you're proactive, not passive.
2. The Value Callback
This one works especially well if your cover letter body was particularly achievement-driven. You're essentially bookending your letter.
"Just as I helped reduce customer churn by 22% at my previous company through targeted onboarding improvements, I'm confident I can bring that same analytical mindset to this role at [Company]. I look forward to discussing this in more detail — please don't hesitate to reach out."
Notice how it doesn't just restate "I'm a great fit." It reminds them of a specific result right before they put the letter down.
3. The Culture Fit Close
This works well for companies where culture is a big part of their public identity (startups, creative agencies, mission-driven organizations).
"What drew me to [Company] was not just the role itself, but the way your team talks about shipping fast and learning faster. That's how I've worked my entire career — and I'd love to be part of that environment. I'm available for a call whenever works for you."
It's warmer. More personal. And it shows you did your homework.
What NOT to Write at the End of a Cover Letter
Let's be honest — some closings are so overused they've become invisible. Hiring managers skim right past them.
Avoid:
- "I hope to hear from you soon." — passive, zero personality
- "Thank you for considering my application." — sounds like a form letter
- "I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications." — robotic and vague
- "Please find my CV attached." — this is not a closing. This is admin.
And please, don't end with a desperate tone. I once saw someone write "I really need this job and I promise I won't let you down." I understand the sentiment — job searching is brutal — but it shifts the dynamic entirely. You want to come across as someone they'd be lucky to have, not someone who needs saving.
The tone you're going for is: warm, specific, confident, and clear about next steps.
How to Sign Off a Cover Letter: The Final Line
This is separate from the closing paragraph — it's the literal last thing before your name. And yes, it matters.
Safe and professional choices:
- Best regards,
- Kind regards,
- Sincerely,
- With appreciation,
Avoid:
- Yours truly — feels dated (think 1987)
- Cheers, — too casual unless you're applying to a very casual company
- Warm wishes, — better for personal emails
- Thanks! — with an exclamation mark, no
My personal preference? "Best regards" followed by your full name. Simple. Clean. Does the job. If you're applying to a creative role, you have a tiny bit more room to experiment — but even then, I'd keep it professional.
And make sure your name is followed by your contact details (phone, email, LinkedIn). Don't make them hunt for it.
Does Your Cover Letter Ending Matter for ATS?
Here's a nuance most people miss. Before your cover letter even reaches a human, it might go through an Applicant Tracking System. And while ATS software mainly cares about your CV (if you're curious about that side of things, check out our guide on ATS Friendly CV Optimization in 2026: What Actually Works), your cover letter still needs to be formatted cleanly.
No fancy tables. No text boxes. No headers embedded in images. Plain, readable formatting — the closing paragraph included.
Also worth mentioning: if you're applying to roles where your CV will be filtered before any human sees it, the combination of a well-optimized CV and a strong cover letter matters more than ever. A great close on your cover letter won't save a badly structured CV. But they work together — and both deserve your attention. Speaking of which, resume summary examples and tips for 2026 is worth a read if you want to sharpen the top of your CV while you're at it.
One More Thing Before You Send
I'll be real with you — writing a cover letter from scratch, getting the tone right, and then nailing the closing is genuinely hard. It's a lot of tiny decisions that compound.
That's part of why we built EasyCV.AI. When you're crafting your application there, the AI helps you not just with the CV itself, but with the language — the phrasing, the confidence, the specificity. A lot of users tell me the closing paragraph is one of the sections where the suggestions feel most useful, because it's hard to self-assess when you're nervous about a job you actually want.
If you haven't tried it yet, it's worth a look — especially if you're sending out multiple applications and you want each one to feel tailored, not templated.
Final Thought
The end of your cover letter is prime real estate. You've already convinced them to read this far — don't let the last impression be forgettable.
Close with intention. Be specific. Make the ask. Sign off cleanly.
And remember: the person reading your letter is busy, maybe a little tired, and reading application number 47 of the day. Give them a reason to pick up the phone.
That's the whole goal.
Written by Juliano Majally, founder of EasyCV.AI