End A Cover Letter That Gets You is a key focus of this guide. The closing paragraph of a cover letter is the last thing the hiring manager reads. A weak close ends on a passive note that invites no action. A strong close expresses genuine interest and invites a next step.
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Skip the passive close
Ending with “I hope to hear from you soon” or “Thank you for your time and consideration” is so generic that it registers as silence. It does not invite action.
Express clear interest and ask for the next step
A direct close works better: “I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience in X applies to what you are building at [Company]. I look forward to hearing from you.” This is warm, specific, and forward-looking. For more on this, see our guide on cover letter vs. no cover letter.
Reference the specific role one more time
Your closing paragraph should confirm that this application is for this role specifically, not a form letter. A brief reference to what excites you about the work reinforces your genuine interest.
Keep it brief
Your closing paragraph should be two to three sentences maximum. Long closings feel like the writer did not know when to stop. Short and clear is always more effective.
Read next
- How to Write an Internship Cover Letter That Stands Out
- How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter That Works
- Cover Letter for a Recent Graduate: A Step-by-Step Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always include a cover letter?
Include one when requested, when writing ability is core to the role, or when you need to explain context your resume cannot. For high-volume technical roles, it is often not read.
How long should a cover letter be?
Three to four short paragraphs, 200-300 words maximum. If you are writing more, you are probably repeating your resume.
What should the first sentence of a cover letter say?
Start with something specific. “I have spent four years doing exactly what this role requires” beats “I am excited to apply for this position.”
What should I leave out of a cover letter?
Do not restate your resume, explain why you need the job, apologize for gaps, or use clichés. Every sentence should add information not already in the resume.
Most cover letters fail because they summarize the resume rather than add to it. A recruiter reading your cover letter already has your resume in hand. They do not need you to recap it. What they want to know is why this role, at this company, is one you are genuinely excited about, and what specific experience makes you a stronger candidate than the other 150 applicants who also ticked all the required boxes. For more on this, see our guide on write a cover letter that actually gets read.
The best cover letters I have seen treat the format like a brief business proposal. They open with a specific observation about the company or role, connect that observation to a relevant achievement, and close with a clear next step. This structure respects the hiring manager’s time while demonstrating that you have done real research rather than sending a mass application.
Length matters here, too. A cover letter should be between three and four paragraphs. Any shorter and it feels dismissive of the opportunity. Any longer and you are asking a busy hiring manager to read a document they typically spend less than thirty seconds on. Every sentence should either demonstrate fit, show enthusiasm, or move the reader closer to wanting to meet you.
One technique that consistently works is the mirroring approach. Take three words or phrases directly from the job description that describe the ideal candidate, then reflect them back using examples from your own experience. This shows attentiveness to what the employer actually wants while demonstrating that you meet those criteria without copying their language verbatim. For more on this, see our guide on end a cover letter.
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