1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Cover Letter
  4. How to sign a cover letter: a guide to professional correspondence
Charlotte GraingerCharlotte Grainger
Written by Charlotte Grainger, Charlotte Grainger

How to sign a cover letter: a guide to professional correspondence

8 min read
How to sign a cover letter: a guide to professional correspondence
Writing a cover letter? Don’t fall at the last hurdle. Read our simple guide and learn how to sign a cover letter the right way.

You’ve polished your cover letter and you’re good to go. There’s only one thing left to do: Sign on the dotted line. But how can you get this right? Do you need a handwritten signature or can you type out your name? In this guide, we’ll go over how to sign a cover letter like a pro.

What is a cover letter?

First things first, let’s cover the basics. A cover letter is correspondence to the hiring manager. It details why you are applying for this specific role. It also allows you to make a solid case about your suitability for the vacancy. It’s the chance to clearly state why you’re the perfect candidate. 

Every cover letter includes the same elements, as follows: 

In this guide, we will be looking at the last point on the list. The sign-off of a cover letter needs to make the right impression on the hiring manager. Looking for some additional inspiration? Read more about writing a cover letter in our full guide.

Should you sign a cover letter?

Times are changing. You no longer need a handwritten signature on a cover letter. Since we live in an ever-more digitalised world, modern-day recruiters don’t always expect to see this. Most of the time, it’s perfectly acceptable to simply type your name at the bottom of the letter instead.

However, in some cases, adding a full-on signature on a cover letter could help you to stand out from the crowd. It’s important to know when this is appropriate before you get started with your application. That way, you can make sure that the cover letter you submit is suitable. 

How to decide whether to use a cover letter signature

Let’s kick things off by making this decision simple. If you’re unsure whether to handwrite your signature on a cover letter, let the format decide for you. Take a quick look at our breakdown below when you are figuring out which type of cover letter signature works for you: 

Cover letter format Email cover letter  Cover letter attachment  Physical cover letter
Sign-off type  Typed-out name

Typed name/ 

electronic signature 

Typed name/handwritten signature 

Looking to create a cover letter attachment? Look no further. We have a wide selection of expertly formatted cover letter templates that you can use at just the click of a button. 

How to sign a cover letter based on its format

Effective cover letters are interesting and engaging. Chances are, you’ve spent a long time making sure that the body of your letter hits the mark. However, when you come to the end of the document, you don’t want to lose momentum. Getting the signature right is a must. 

Recruiters spend just seven seconds looking at each new application. In that blink of an eye, they decide whether you have what it takes to make it to the interview. If your cover letter doesn’t keep them reading at every point, it could ruin your chances of success. 

Let’s break down how you should sign your cover letter based on the format you are using. 

Email cover letter 

Email cover letters are quickly becoming the norm. Since you’re likely to apply for a job by sending your CV to the hiring manager, you may choose to write your cover letter in the body of your email. There’s nothing wrong with this approach and it’s certainly speedy. There are two options that you can choose from when using this approach: 

  1. Type your full name out. If you decide to do this, you should use a standard sign-off, such as “Kind regards” or “Sincerely” followed by your name.
  2. Use your email signature. Do you already have an email signature? If so, you can use it. Make sure it is suitable for the hiring manager to see before pressing “send”.

As a bonus, you may choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile. Make sure that it is up to date before you do so. Take a look at our adaptable example below:

Adaptable example

Kind regards, 

Mary Smith 

+ 44 74795724

LinkedIn

Copied!

Attached cover letter

Whether you’re filling out an online application or sending your CV to the hiring manager, you might send your cover letter as an attachment. In this case, you should save your cover letter as a PDF document (unless otherwise specified by the job description). Use our cover letter builder to create an interview-winning letter and then download it as a PDF at the click of a button.

You can add a signature by typing your name in the builder. However, if you want an electronic signature, leave it off completely. Once you’ve downloaded the PDF, you can use a program such as DocuSign or SignRequest to add an electronic signature to the document. 

Expert tip

Sign your cover letter with Preview!

Do you have a Mac? If so, it’s even easier. Open your PDF in Preview and then go to Tools, then Annotate, and then Signature. You can quickly create an e-signature for your cover letter.

Physical cover letter 

Sending a physical cover letter? While less popular than online methods, some employers ask that you send them your application in the post. If you are sending your cover letter as an actual letter, you have two options again. Let’s take a look at them: 

  1. Typed signature. Chances are, you will create your cover letter on a computer and print it off. If that is the case, there’s nothing wrong with typing your name as the cover letter signature. As before, you should include “Kind regards” or “Sincerely” first.
  2. Handwritten signature. Since you are printing out your cover letter anyway, you can sign your cover letter by hand. Write “Kind regards” or “Sincerely” and leave a gap. When the document is printed, get a good black pen and sign the document.

It doesn’t matter which you choose. However, some employers may be impressed by the extra attention to detail if you hand sign your cover letter. The choice is yours. 

Key takeaways 

Making sure that you sign your cover letter is a must. In this guide, we’ve covered the main options depending on the format that you use. While signing a cover letter may seem like a small detail, it can make a world of difference. Use our cover letter builder tool to get started now.

Build your CV in 15 minutes
Build your CV in 15 minutes
Use professional field-tested CV templates that follow the exact ‘CV rules’ employers look for.
Create My CV
Share this article
Keep reading
CV Help12 min read
How to list education on your CV
How to list education on your CV
CV Help15 min read
CV header: Examples and instruction tips
CV Header: Examples and Instruction Tips
Career20 min read
How to apply for a job when you’re over 50 and avoid age discrimination
How to apply for a job when you’re over 50 and avoid age discrimination
CV Help23 min read
180+ key skills for a CV
180+ Key Skills for a CV
Browse all
This website uses cookies to improve user experience and perform analytics and marketing. By using our website, you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
Accept Cookies