That means including an appropriate closing and an email signature with your contact information, so it’s easy for the recipient to get in touch with you. Because so much business correspondence is handled by email, it’s essential to write and format your messages as carefully as you would a printed letter.
Tips for How to End an Email
Here are some sample email message closings, as well as some advice on which closing to choose, how to format your closing, and the best way to end an email. There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing an email closing.
Include a Closing
Some people think they can simply leave a closing out of an email. However, this is extremely unprofessional; always include a closing. That’s true even if you have an email signature.
Consider Your Relationship With the Recipient
You should stick to professional email closings when speaking with anyone related to your job search. However, if you are close friends with the person, you can consider a semi-professional closing, such as “Cheers,” or “Yours truly.” If you are in any doubt, always lean towards a more professional closing.
Avoid Unprofessional Closings
Even if you are friends, avoid any unprofessional closings in a business email, including “See ya later,” “XOXO,” or any other informal sign-offs.
Use Your Full Name
Avoid using just your first name or a nickname, unless you are corresponding with a close friend or colleague. Include your full name, so there is no confusion over who you are.
Professional Email Closing Examples
Below are some of the most common professional email closings.
All the best,Best,Best regards,Best wishes,Fond regards,Kind regards,Looking forward to hearing from you,Regards,Sincerely,Sincerely yours,Thank you,Thanks again,With appreciation,With gratitude,Yours sincerely,
More Examples: Business Correspondence Closing Examples
Semi-Professional Email Closings
These are email closings that would be appropriate if you were sending a work-related email to a close friend or colleague.
Cheers,Faithfully,Many thanks,Warmly,Yours truly,
How Not to End an Email
There are some closings you should avoid when you’re sending business-related emails.
Love,Talk soon,See ya,See ya later,See you,XOXOThxHugsEmoticons
What to Include in an Email Closing
There are multiple parts to an email closing: Closing Remark: As discussed above, use a professional email closing, unless you are sending an email to a close friend or colleague. In that case, consider using a semi-professional closing remark. See below for examples of both. Full Name: Be sure to include your full name (first and last) rather than using just your first name or a nickname, unless you are emailing a very close friend. Even then, you might want to use your full name to avoid any confusion. Title and Company: Include your current job title and company, especially if you are corresponding with someone outside of the company. If you’re applying for a job, of course, don’t include your employment information in your signature. Contact Information: It is always useful to include contact information at the end of an email send-off. You can include your phone number, your LinkedIn profile URL if you have one, and even your mailing address. You might also consider including your email address, even though the recipient will already know it.
How to Format an Email Closing
It is important not only to have all the parts to an email closing but also to format them correctly. First, make sure you include a comma after your closing remark. After this, add a space. After the space, include your typed (full) name. Beneath this, add your title, company, and any contact information you wish to provide:
Sample Email Message Closings
Review example of professional signatures for emails and letters. Full nameTitleCompanyPhone numberEmail addressLinkedIn URL
Is the Rest of Your Email Professional?
The closing is just one part of a professional email. Here’s more information about appropriate salutations (“Hey” is never an appropriate greeting in an employment-focused email), instructions on how to write professional emails, and a wide variety of sample job-search-focused letters to review before writing your own. William WilliamsonAssistant DirectorXYZ Marketing555-555-5555wwilliamson@email.com Maria GalvezConsultantABC Consulting Firm555-555-5555/mgalvez@email.comlinkedin.com/in/mariabgalvez Janet JamisonLead TeacherABC Charter School555-555-5555jjamison@email.com CONSIDER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE RECIPIENT You should stick to professional email closings when corresponding with anyone related to your job search. However, if you are close friends with the person, you can consider a semi-professional closing, such as “Cheers” or “Yours truly.” If there is any doubt, always lean toward a more professional closing. AVOID UNPROFESSIONAL CLOSINGS Even if you are friends, avoid any unprofessional closings in a business email, including “See ya later,” “XOXO,” or any other informal send-offs.
