The English application: Cover letter
Cover letter: Final statement and ending salutation
Final statement
The last paragraph of your cover letter should mention when and how you are reachable as well as that you would welcome an invitation for a personal interview. Emphasize that you will reach out to the company yourself in the next few days to ensure that your application has arrived. Having sent the application, you now have a reason to call there. During the phone call, ask whether references and/or additional certificates are required and build an immediate personal contact, preferably with the person responsible.
Short and sweet
- When and how are you reachable?
- You are looking forward to an interview.
- You will call in the next few days to ensure that the application has reached.
Ending salutation
The ending salutation depends on whether the name of the contact person is known. ‘Sincerely’ (US) and ‘Yours sincerely’ (UK) are the most common greetings if you know the person’s name. If you do not, however, and have used the salutation, ‘Dear Sir or Madam’, then ‘Yours faithfully’ is the preferred ending salutation. Phrases like ‘With best regards’ must never be used here, as they represent a more colloquial style and are used in email.
Whether you should place a comma after the ending salutation will depend on whether you have placed a comma after the greeting.
Dear Mr. XY, ... Yours sincerely,
Dear Mr XY ... Yours sincerely
After the ending salutation, about four blank lines serve as placeholders for your signature, followed by your first and last names. In contrast to the CV, British and American cover letters are both signed.
Kurz und bündig
- ‘Sincerely’ if the contact person is known
- ‘Yours faithfully’ if the contact person is unknown
- Comma after ending salutation if there is also a comma after the greeting
Appendix
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