Closing paragraphs and sign-offs – Page 2

It is still understood, especially in the US, but it sounds old-fashioned to many readers today. "Sincerely" or "Kind regards" is more common in modern applications.

Use "Yours truly" only if it fits a very traditional employer or a letter style you are matching. Otherwise, choose a sign-off that sounds current and neutral. The choice will rarely affect your chances, but a modern sign-off fits a modern, well-written letter.

Combine thanks, enthusiasm for starting your career and your availability. Here are fictional examples:

• "Thank you for considering my application. I am keen to start my career in civil engineering with your graduate programme and am available to start from August."
• "I would welcome the chance to discuss how my degree and internship could contribute to your marketing team. Thank you for your time."
• "I am available for interviews at any time and can start immediately after my final exams in June. Thank you for considering me."

Keep the tone positive and confident, without apologising for limited experience.

Keep it brief and focused on the conversation you want to have about the organisation's goals. Here are fictional examples:

• "I would value the opportunity to discuss your growth plans for the region and how my experience leading multi-country operations could support them."
• "Thank you for your consideration. I would be pleased to meet with you and the board to discuss the Chief Financial Officer role."
• "I am confident my background in digital transformation would be valuable to your next phase, and I would welcome a conversation at your convenience."

Avoid overselling; a measured, confident tone suits senior applications.

Include your availability for shifts and your start date, because these matter most to employers filling hourly roles. Here are fictional examples:

• "I am available for morning, evening and weekend shifts and can start next week. Thank you for considering my application."
• "I can work night shifts and public holidays and live 10 minutes from your warehouse. I would be glad to come in for an interview."
• "I am available Monday to Saturday and can start on short notice. Thank you for your time."

Keep it short, clear and practical.

Mention your interest in the unit, your availability for the shift pattern and any start-date details. Here are fictional examples:

• "Thank you for considering my application. I am comfortable with rotating day and night shifts and would welcome the chance to discuss the role on your cardiac unit."
• "I would be glad to bring my experience in emergency care to your team. I am available for interview at your convenience and can start after a one-month notice period."
• "My licence and certifications are current, and I would be pleased to provide copies if needed. Thank you for your time."

Make sure any licence statements are accurate.

Usually not. Mention the referral once, in the opening. Repeating it in the closing can look as though you are relying on the connection rather than your own strengths.

A good pattern:

• Opening: "Jane Okoro in your Finance team suggested I apply."
• Closing: focus on your fit and next steps: "Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my audit experience could support your team."

If the referrer has offered to speak about your work, you could add: "Jane is happy to share her experience of working with me," but only with their agreement.

State your fit as a reasonable conclusion from your experience and invite a conversation, rather than claiming you are the best.

Compare:

• Arrogant: "I am clearly the strongest candidate for this role."
• Uncertain: "I hope you might think I could possibly be suitable."
• Confident: "I believe my experience managing busy front desks would let me contribute quickly, and I would welcome the chance to discuss the role."

Words like "believe", "would welcome" and "would be glad" sound confident and polite at the same time.

It is optional. If you have not mentioned your resume elsewhere, one short reference is natural, but it is not required, as the employer will see the attachment.

Examples:

• "My resume is attached, and I would be glad to provide any further information."
• "Further details of my experience are in the attached CV."

Avoid long phrases like "Please find enclosed herewith my curriculum vitae for your kind perusal". Keep it simple, and put the focus on your interest and next steps.

It is best to avoid it. An exclamation mark can make a professional letter sound overexcited or informal, especially at the end, where you want to sound calm and confident.

Compare:

• "Thank you so much for reading my application! I really hope to hear from you soon!"
• "Thank you for reading my application. I would welcome the chance to discuss the role with you."

The second version shows the same interest in a more professional way. Let your choice of words show enthusiasm, not punctuation.

You can, but it is a very common formula and adds little. A shorter, more direct sentence usually reads better.

Alternatives:

• "I would be happy to answer any questions."
• "Please contact me if you need any further information."
• "I am happy to share work samples or references on request."

If you like the original phrase, it is not wrong; just make sure the rest of the closing is specific to the role so the letter does not end on several stock phrases in a row.

Include your available dates, thank the reader and say you would welcome an interview. Internship employers need to know your timing.

Fictional examples:

• "I am available for a full-time internship from 15 June to 31 August. Thank you for considering my application, and I would welcome the chance to discuss it."
• "I can work three days a week during the semester and full-time during the winter break. Thank you for your time."
• "I would be glad to discuss how I could support your research team this summer. My university requires a minimum eight-week placement, which fits your programme dates."

Make sure the dates match any dates in the advert.

It is not necessary. Employers assume you will provide references when asked, so the line takes up space without adding information.

Exceptions:

• The advert asks you to confirm that references are available.
• You want to mention a specific, strong referee, with their permission, for example a former manager in the same industry.

If neither applies, use the space for a sentence about your fit or availability instead. Prepare your referees separately so you can respond quickly when asked.

Use a comma after the sign-off, then put your name on the next line. This is the standard in most English-language business letters.

Example:
"Yours sincerely,
Tomás Ortega"

Notes:

• Only the first word of the sign-off is capitalised: "Kind regards," not "Kind Regards,".
• Do not add a full stop after your name.
• Some modern styles leave out the comma ("open punctuation"); this is acceptable if you also leave out the comma after the greeting. Be consistent.

Yes, it is correct, though less common than "Sincerely" or "Yours sincerely". It is more often seen in American English and sounds slightly formal and traditional.

Quick comparison:

• "Sincerely," standard and neutral in the US.
• "Yours sincerely," standard in the UK and many Commonwealth countries.
• "Sincerely yours," acceptable, a little old-fashioned.

Any of these is fine. Choose the one that matches your spelling style and the employer's region, and use it consistently.

Mention your time zone or working hours if relevant, your availability for video interviews and your interest in the role.

Fictional examples:

• "I am based in Nairobi (EAT) and can work core hours overlapping with your team in London. I would welcome a video call to discuss the role."
• "Thank you for considering my application. I am available for interviews by video at any time that suits your team, and I can start within two weeks."
• "I am comfortable working across time zones and would be glad to discuss how I could support your customers in the Gulf and Europe."

Keep it practical. Remote employers value clarity about when and how you can work.

Mention it in one sentence with a clear reason to look, and make sure the link is in your header or easy to find.

Fictional examples:

• "You can see examples of my brand identity work, including the café rebrand mentioned above, in my portfolio linked at the top of this letter."
• "I would be happy to walk you through my portfolio in an interview."
• "My writing samples, including two published articles on fintech, are available in my portfolio."

Check that the portfolio is up to date, loads quickly on a phone and shows your best work first.

Yes, briefly, if it is true, but keep the letter focused on the role you applied for. A short line can show flexibility without weakening your main application.

Example:
"I am applying specifically for the Accounts Receivable Officer position, but I would also be glad to be considered for other roles in your finance team that match my experience."

Avoid making it sound as though you would take any job: "I will accept any position you have" can suggest a lack of focus. If you are genuinely interested in two specific roles, it is usually better to apply for each separately.

It is a common phrase but rather vague. If you want to express confidence, say what you would contribute instead of using the word "asset".

Compare:

• Vague: "I am confident I would be an asset to your company."
• Specific: "I am confident my experience reducing stock losses would help your new stores start well."
• Specific: "I believe my background in paediatric care would let me support your ward from my first week."

The specific versions sound more credible because they tie your confidence to evidence.

Mention your interest in the school, your availability for the start of term or a teaching demonstration, and thank the reader. Here are fictional examples:

• "Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to visit the school and would be happy to teach a demonstration lesson."
• "I am available to start at the beginning of the new academic year in September and would be glad to discuss the role further."
• "I would be pleased to contribute to your English department and to your after-school activities programme. Thank you for your time."

Schools often plan around term dates, so a clear start date is helpful.

Usually not. Ending with a question like "When can we meet?" can sound presumptuous, and "Do you think I would be a good fit?" can sound unsure. A clear, polite statement works better.

Instead of a question, use:

• "I would welcome the chance to discuss the role at a time that suits you."
• "I would be glad to answer any questions about my experience."

Questions are more natural in a follow-up email after contact has been made, not in the first letter.

It is generally safer to use a neutral professional sign-off, such as "Kind regards" or "Best regards". Religious phrases are personal, and readers may have different expectations.

Some points:

• In some regions, certain greetings are common in everyday business, but a neutral sign-off is still acceptable everywhere.
• If the employer's own messages use a particular greeting, you may choose to reflect it in later emails.
• Your sign-off should not be the thing the reader remembers; your experience should.

A neutral, professional closing keeps the focus on your suitability for the role.

Link your experience to the employer's needs in one sentence, then invite a conversation. Here are fictional examples:

• "With eight years in hospital procurement, I believe I could help your team manage supplier costs during your expansion. I would welcome the chance to discuss this with you."
• "Thank you for considering my application. I would be glad to talk about how my experience leading IT service desks could support your users."
• "I am serving a two-month notice period and would be pleased to discuss the role and a suitable start date."

The tone should be calm and professional, showing you understand what the role needs.

Yes, briefly confirm you are available on those dates, or note any conflict politely. This helps the employer plan and shows you read the advert carefully.

Examples:

• "I note that interviews will take place in the week of 14 April, and I am available on all of those days."
• "I am available for interview on the dates listed, except the morning of 16 April."

If you cannot attend any of the dates, say so and offer alternatives, such as a video interview. Some employers have fixed schedules, so follow their instructions on how to request changes.

A sales closing should be confident and action-oriented, while staying polite. Here are fictional examples:

• "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience growing B2B accounts could help your team meet its targets this year."
• "Thank you for your consideration. I would be glad to meet and talk about your plans for the Northern Emirates territory."
• "I am confident in my ability to build strong client relationships for your brand and would appreciate the chance to discuss the role."

Sales readers expect you to ask for the next step clearly, but without pressure.

Mention your interest in the team's technical work and offer to share code samples or discuss a technical task. Here are fictional examples:

• "Thank you for considering my application. I would be happy to walk you through my GitHub projects or complete a technical assessment."
• "I would welcome the chance to discuss how my experience with cloud migrations could support your infrastructure team."
• "I am available for interviews from next week and can start after a one-month notice period."

Keep it short; technical hiring managers prefer clear and practical endings.