How to End a Cover Letter

When you write a cover letter, you're essentially ringing the doorbell of a company and hoping someone there will open the door and let you in. Make a lasting impression by tweaking the end of your cover letter to convince the hiring manager to call you for an interview. Here are three tips to help you get the end of your cover letter just right.

End With a Focus on Fit and Qualifications

The goal of a cover letter is always to get an interview. To do this, you need to convince the hiring manager that you are qualified for the position and a good fit for the company. End your cover letter by reiterating these elements. Mention your passion for the company and its products and services in a specific way to point to your good fit with the company. If you know someone at the company, bring up his name again (since of course you also used it in your opening sentence). Indicate that your company contact thinks you fit in well there. Remind the hiring manager of the one or two key qualifications that make you perfect for the available position.

End With a Call to Action

Don't leave everything passively in the hiring manager's hands. Instead, end your cover letter with a call to action by mentioning when and how you plan to contact the hiring manager to discuss setting up an interview. Typically, this contact should occur within a week and should be done by phone, but there may be specific circumstances in which emailing or even texting is more appropriate. Provide an opportunity for the hiring manager to be proactive by providing your phone number and stating that you can be reached immediately if need be. This adds a bit of inherent motivation to the hiring manager's actions and may put you higher on the list.

How Not to End Your Cover Letter

Don't fall into the trap of treating a job opening as a done deal. If you end your cover letter by stating your salary requirements, you potentially create an impression of arrogance, as if you expect to be hired. If you wrap up your letter by stating that you expect to go far in the company or mentioning future positions you'd like to hold there, you send a message that the job you're applying for is not actually the job you want. It's okay to have long-term career aspirations, but your cover letter is not the right place to express them.

Because each job is different, every cover letter you write should be different. Even if you're using a template, make sure to key your phrasing to match the job description and to hone in on how you are right for this specific company and position. Ending your cover letter strongly maximizes your chances of getting an interview for the perfect position.

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