Writing a Good Cover Letter Ending

They say first impressions are everything, but final impressions aren't chopped liver either.  That's why writing a good cover letter ending can make all the difference.

Believe it or not, a bad closing to your cover letter can ruin an otherwise great effort.  One of the most common mistakes people make when writing an ending is using passive language.  Here are a few examples:

• "I look forward to hearing back from you in the near future."
• "If you wish to discuss my qualifications further, get back to me."
• "I think you will find that my qualifications really fit well with your position, and I hope to hear back from you." 

This type of writing will make the reader think that you don't have much confidence in yourself.  Even if the rest of your cover letter shows that you would be a great fit for the job, hiring managers will think twice if they think you are too passive.  This attribute is a must for nonprofit jobs, so don't give the employer any reason to doubt you.  Try using closings like these:

• "I will contact you within the week to follow up on my application.  Meanwhile, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or requests.  Thank you for your time and your consideration."
• "I have enclosed my resume, which will contain additional details about my qualifications.  If you have any additional questions, please contact me.  I look forward to discussing the job with you in the coming weeks."
• "Thank you for taking the time to review my credentials.  I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have at your convenience."
• "I appreciate you considering me for this position.  I will contact you soon so we can discuss my qualifications further, and see if we can find a time to schedule an interview."

You will notice that all of these examples are respectful and confident.  Unlike the first samples I used, the second set of examples make it clear that you will make an effort to reach out to the hiring manager to further make your case.  It's not always guaranteed that this aggressive approach will work, but it's definitely a lot more effective than just waiting for something to happen.