When writing a resume cover letter you should focus on each aspect. One of these key aspects is the conclusion of your cover letter. A good ending to a cover letter includes a proper cover letter signature. How you sign off your cover letter is crucial as it will either leave the prospective employer with a positive, professional first impression.
Choosing how to sign off a cover letter the right way depends on a few factors, such as the cover letter format of your email. However, in general, it’s better to remain formal and professional. You can be positive and even friendly, but avoid casual language such as “thanks”, “cheers”, or “take care”.
If you get it wrong by making a small mistake or by using inappropriate language in your cover letter ending, you risk leaving the wrong impression on the hiring manager. As employers receive so many applications for each position, this can be enough for yours to be discounted.
The signature on your cover letter is a crucial part of your cover letter that you need to nail. Ensure you sign your cover letter the right way and leave the hiring manager with a fantastic impression. Check out the information below to ensure you know how to conclude your cover letter in the best way possible.
How to sign a cover letter when emailing
Emailing job applications, including cover letters and resumes, is the new normal. Regarding the conclusion of your cover letter, you may be asking yourself, “do I need to sign a cover letter that is submitted electronically?”
You need to have the proper sign-off when you conclude your cover letter, even by email.
It’s essential to know how and where to sign a cover letter if you are emailing it to a hiring manager. Use a professional sign-off (such as sincerely, sincerely yours, best regards, or most sincerely) at the end of the letter, followed by your full name written underneath. Doing so makes your cover letter and job application that much more effective.
If you’re emailing a cover letter with a signature you should use a professional sign off (such as sincerely, sincerely yours, best regards or most sincerely) followed by your full name written underneath.
You don’t need to sign the letter by hand when signing a cover letter electronically. Also avoid using italics or an alternative font as this can look childish. Just write your full name in the same font as the rest of the letter.
It’s also essential to clearly include your contact details when you sign off a resume cover letter. It would be a tragedy if you nailed your cover letter, spent time tailoring your resume using a resume builder, and then the employer didn’t know how to contact you.
An easy, time-effective way of doing this is by setting up an email signature. You should include your name, telephone number, email address and a link to your LinkedIn profile (and any other useful links which may help your application).
Closing signature examples
Here are some examples of how to sign a cover letter electronically. The first example contains the very least you should include (name, email address, and phone number). The third is the ideal example of how to sign a cover letter via email.
Example 1:
Sincerely yours,
Mary Washington
marywashington@emailaddress.com
70997654
Example 2:
Best regards,
Mary Washington
17 Cherry Tree Lane,
Portland, Oregon, 97035.
marywashington@emailaddress.com
70997654
Example 3:
Best regards,
Mary Washington
17 Cherry Tree Lane,
Portland, Oregon, 97035.
marywashington@emailaddress.com
70997654
www.linkedin.com/marywashington
www.personalwebsite.com
Examples of Bad Signatures on Cover Letters
Including this part of a cover letter is essential, and doing it well can give your chances of being hired a serious boost. However, there are things you should avoid writing in your cover letter signature. In a cover letter, you as an applicant have a chance to show off some of your personality, but that does not mean you can be too casual.
Here are some examples of words you should avoid writing when you are signing off your cover letter:
- Best wishes
- Cheers
- Fondly
- Love
- Yours
- Smiles
- Take it easy
- Affectionately
It is also a good idea to not use abbreviations of words, such as “thx”. Also, erase any messages that are automatically included by your cell phone. Delete messages such as “Sent from my x phone” before sending.
How to sign a paper cover letter
Though it is becoming less common, you may need to either mail a cover letter or upload one to a website. In these cases, you should leave enough space between the sign-off and your full name to include a handwritten signature. After printing your cover letter you should sign your name using black ink.
For written cover letters you should use a formal business cover letter format which includes your contact details and those of the employer at the top of the page, as well as a heading and salutation. As you include your contact details at the top, there is no need to include them with your signature as you would in an email.
Though the importance of signing a cover letter shouldn’t be underestimated, how to end a cover letter is only one part of your application. Read more cover letter advice for information on writing the other parts of your cover letter and also spend time researching how to write a resume. Using resume templates is an effective way of producing professional-looking results quickly.
