A cover letter signature should make the document easy to identify and professionally complete. The correct format depends on how you submit the letter: email body, uploaded PDF, online form or printed page. A handwritten signature image is usually optional unless the employer specifically requests one.
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Choose the format by submission method
| Submission | Recommended ending |
|---|---|
| Email body | Closing, typed full name, phone, email and relevant link |
| Uploaded PDF | Closing and typed full name; optional signature image |
| Online application field | Follow the field instructions; a typed name is usually sufficient |
| Printed letter | Closing, space for handwritten signature, then typed full name |
Read the job posting and application system first. An explicit instruction from the employer overrides general formatting advice.
Professional closing phrases
Sincerely, Kind regards and Best regards are widely usable. Yours sincerely is common in British correspondence when the recipient is named; Yours faithfully traditionally appears when the recipient is not named. Modern organizations vary, so consistency and tone matter more than a rigid formula.
Avoid an overly casual ending such as “Cheers” unless the organization’s communication style clearly supports it. Do not use several closings together.
Email example
Kind regards,
Elif Kaya
+90 555 000 0000
elif.kaya@example.com
linkedin.com/in/elifkaya
If the email already contains a long automatic signature with a logo and legal notice, keep the cover letter ending simple. Check that the visible contact details match the CV.
PDF or document example
Sincerely,
Daniel Morgan
A typed name is normally enough for a conventional cover letter. Adding a scanned signature can make the document look more like a formal business letter, but it also adds personal data that may be copied. Use it only when it supports the context.
Printed cover letter
Leave two or three blank lines between the closing and your typed name, then sign in that space. Use dark ink and keep the signature inside the page margins. The letter should still show your typed name clearly because a signature may be difficult to read.
File and identity checks
Name the file clearly, for example Elif_Kaya_Cover_Letter.pdf. Export to PDF if the employer requests a fixed layout. Open the final file on another device if possible and confirm that the signature, links and page breaks display correctly.
Do not paste a high-resolution image containing your signature into a public portfolio. If you include one in an application, crop it closely and keep the source file secure.
Common problems
Avoid closing with only a first name when the application uses your full professional name. Remove outdated phone numbers, broken portfolio links and unrelated social profiles. Do not write “Signed electronically” unless a process calls for that wording.
The signature cannot repair a generic letter. Before sending, confirm that the opening names the right organization, the evidence matches the role and the final paragraph gives a clear next step.
A complete final paragraph
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience simplifying customer-support workflows could support your operations team. Thank you for considering my application.
Kind regards,
Elif Kaya
Use the Global English Test if you want a general English estimate before editing an application. For high-stakes applications, ask a proficient reader to check meaning, tone and factual consistency, not only grammar.
