yours sincerely or sincerely yours cover letter

60 Examples of Strong Closing Statements: How to Close a Cover Letter

By Status.net Editorial Team on December 12, 2023 — 16 minutes to read

A strong cover letter closing is essential in making a great impression and reinforcing your enthusiasm for the job opportunity. It provides a final opportunity to emphasize your relevant skills, experiences, and personal attributes that make you an ideal candidate. A compelling closing also encourages the employer to take action, such as inviting you for an interview. Consider these examples:

Thank you for considering my application. I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute my skills and experiences in this exciting role.
I am eager to discuss how my background aligns with your team’s goals and how I can contribute to your company’s growth.
I am confident that my expertise in social media marketing makes me well-suited for this position, and I appreciate your time and consideration.

Positive Impact on Employers

Your cover letter closing is crucial, as it leaves a lasting impression on the employer and influences their perception of you as a candidate. A positive and engaging closing helps you stand out among other applicants and increases your chances of being selected for an interview. Here are a few key points that can create a positive impact:

Express gratitude : Show appreciation for the time the employer has spent reading your cover letter, and thank them for considering your application.
Be enthusiastic : Reiterate your excitement about the job opportunity and the prospect of joining their team.
Include a call to action : Encourage further engagement, like scheduling an interview or discussing your qualifications in more detail.

For example:

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I am highly enthusiastic about joining your team and discussing my potential contributions to your ongoing projects. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at your earliest convenience.

Crafting Your Final Paragraph

Summarizing your enthusiasm.

To leave a lasting impression, summarize your enthusiasm for the role in your closing paragraph. Highlight your excitement about the opportunity and express gratitude for the potential connection with the company. For instance:

I’m thrilled about the prospect of joining the (…) team and contributing my marketing skills to drive innovative campaigns. Thank you for considering my application.

Reaffirming Your Best Fit for the Role

Before signing off, reinforce why you’re the perfect candidate for the position. Briefly recap your relevant experience, skills, or accomplishments that set you apart. Be concise yet confident in your message. For example:

With my five years of experience in international sales and my proven ability to develop long-term client relationships, I am confident in my ability to excel as your next Sales Manager.

Choosing the Right Sign-Off

Professional sign-off options.

Selecting the appropriate closing for your cover letter can leave a lasting impression. Here are some professional sign-off options to consider:

Sincerely : This classic sign-off is appropriate for most scenarios and conveys professionalism.
Best regards : A versatile and slightly more casual option, ideal for a variety of industries.
Kind regards : This friendly sign-off is suitable when you have developed a rapport with the receiver, like the hiring manager.

You can also try other options such as Yours truly , Respectfully , or Yours faithfully , depending on your preference and the nature of the job you are applying for.

Matching the Company Culture

Try to tailor your sign-off to match the company culture. Researching the company’s website, social media, or reviewing employee testimonials can help you get a better understanding of the company culture. For example:

Innovative or creative industries : Feel free to express yourself with a casual yet professional closing, like Warm Regards or Cheers .
Traditional or formal industries : Stick to more formal options such as Sincerely or Best Regards .

Incorporating a Call to Action

Proposing the next steps.

A well-crafted cover letter should inspire the reader to take the next step. This could include scheduling an interview, discussing your application further, or even simply reviewing your attached resume. To encourage this action, incorporate a call to action (CTA) at the end of your cover letter that guides the hiring manager.

Some examples of CTAs in the context of cover letters include:

Schedule a meeting : “I’m excited about the opportunity to discuss my experiences and how they align with the [job title] position. Let’s set up a time to chat!”
Ask for a callback : “I’d be thrilled to further discuss my application and the value I bring to the table. Give me a call at your earliest convenience to chat more.”
Direct them to your portfolio : “I’d love to showcase my recent work, which you can find at [website link]. Let’s discuss how my skillset aligns with the [job title] role.”

Remember to tailor these examples to your specific application and the company to which you’re applying.

60 Examples of Strong Closing Statements For a Cover Letter

1. This position seems like a perfect match for my experience, passions, and career aspirations. I would love to bring my skills and expertise to your organization.
2. I am confident that I can make an immediate and positive impact if given the opportunity to join your team. I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your organization’s success.
3. My background and capabilities align well with the responsibilities of this role. I am excited by the prospect of applying my experience to this position.
4. I am enthusiastic about the chance to join your organization. Please contact me to further discuss my qualifications and how I can add value.
5. I would welcome the opportunity to showcase my abilities and help drive growth and innovation through this position. I am eager to learn more.
6. With my skills and experience, I am prepared to excel in this role and hit the ground running. I look forward to speaking with you.
7. I am confident I would thrive in this position. I am eager to bring my skills, passion, and drive to your dynamic team.
8. I believe I am an excellent fit for this opportunity and am excited by the prospect of contributing my talents to your organization. I welcome the chance to speak with you further.
9. My experience aligns well with the responsibilities of this exciting role. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to apply my skills to benefit your organization.
10. I am excited by the chance to join your team. I look forward to further discussion.
11. I am confident that I possess the necessary qualifications for this role and would excel if given the opportunity.
12. With my background and passion, I am prepared to hit the ground running and make an immediate impact through this position. I would love to join your team.
13. I am eager to apply my expertise to help drive success and innovation for your organization. Please contact me to arrange a time to talk.
14. My experience has fully prepared me to excel in this role. I am excited by the prospect of bringing my skills to your dynamic organization.
15. I am enthusiastic about this opportunity and the chance to contribute to your company’s continued growth and innovation. I look forward to elaborating on my qualifications.
16. I am confident I can perform exceptionally well in this position. I am excited by the prospect of joining your team and organization.
17. With my proven track record, I am prepared to dive in and deliver results through this role. I would be thrilled to join your organization.
18. I am eager to join an organization where I can utilize my expertise to create meaningful impact. This role seems like an excellent fit.
19. I am excited by the prospect of joining your innovative company. My skills would enable me to contribute to your team’s success right away.
20. I am confident my background makes me a competitive applicant for this opportunity. I am excited to further discuss my qualifications with you.
21. With my experience and passion, I know I would thrive in this position. I hope to have the chance to join your talented team.
22. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of bringing my skills and experience to your dynamic organization.
23. I am eager to apply my expertise to help drive innovation and success in this role. I would be thrilled to join your team.
24. I am confident my abilities make me a strong candidate for this opportunity. I am excited by the chance to contribute to your company’s growth.
25. I believe I possess the necessary skills, experience, and drive to excel in this position.
26. With my background, I am prepared to dive in, roll up my sleeves, and immediately begin adding value in this role. I am excited by this opportunity.
27. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of joining your team. I am confident my experience would allow me to thrive in this position.
28. I would welcome the opportunity to join your organization and collaborate with your talented team in this role. Please contact me to further discuss my qualifications.
29. I am excited by the chance to apply my skills and experience to help drive innovation and success for your company. I hope to speak with you soon.
30. I am eager to bring passion, expertise, and a strong work ethic to this position. I am confident I would excel on your team. I look forward to further discussing how I can contribute to your organization’s success.
31. I am confident that I have the necessary qualifications to excel in this role, and I am excited by the prospect of contributing my skills to your organization. I look forward to discussing this opportunity further.
32. With my experience and capabilities, I know I would be a great asset to your team through this position. I am eager to bring my passion and expertise to your dynamic organization.
33. I am enthusiastic about the chance to apply my background in a way that drives meaningful impact and innovation. This role seems like an ideal fit for my skills.
34. I am eager to join your organization and collaborate with your talented team to deliver exceptional results.
35. I am prepared to hit the ground running and make immediate contributions in this role. My experience aligns well with the responsibilities, and I am excited by the prospect of joining your company.
36. I am confident that I possess the ideal qualifications for this opportunity. I would love to join your organization and contribute my skills to help drive future success.
37. With my proven track record and expertise, I am prepared to dive in and immediately begin adding value through this position. I am excited by this opportunity and welcome further discussion.
38. My background and capabilities make me confident that I can perform exceptionally well in this role.
39. I am eager to apply my skills in a high-impact position with a respected organization like yours. I am confident I would thrive on your team. Please contact me to arrange a meeting.
40. I believe this role is an excellent match for my qualifications. I am excited by the opportunity to contribute my experience and talents to your innovative company.
41. I am confident that my background has prepared me well to excel in this position. I would be thrilled to join your talented team and organization.
42. With my passion, expertise, and proven ability to deliver results, I am prepared to dive in and immediately begin driving value through this role. I am excited by this opportunity and look forward to further discussion.
43. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of applying my skills in a challenging and rewarding position at your respected company. I am eager to learn more about this opportunity.
44. I am excited by the chance to join your dynamic team. My experience has fully prepared me to thrive in this position and help drive your organization’s continued success.
45. I am confident I possess the ideal qualifications for this opportunity. I would welcome the chance to join your team and contribute to future growth and innovation.
46. With my background and capabilities, I am prepared to excel in this role. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of applying my experience to benefit your organization. I look forward to speaking with you.
47. I am eager to utilize my expertise. Please contact me to arrange a meeting to discuss my qualifications.
48. I am excited by the prospect of joining your team. I am confident my skills and experience make me a competitive applicant for this opportunity. I look forward to further discussion.
49. This role seems like an excellent match for my background. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to your organization’s success and future growth.
50. I am confident I possess the necessary experience and qualifications to excel in this position. I would be thrilled to join your talented team. I look forward to speaking with you.
51. I am excited by this opportunity and welcome the chance to further discuss my qualifications.
52. I am eager to apply my expertise in a challenging role that enables me to create meaningful impact. I am confident I would thrive in this position on your team.
53. I believe I am an excellent fit for this opportunity. I would be honored to join your organization and collaborate with your talented team. I look forward to further discussion.
54. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing my experience to help drive innovation and continued success. I am excited by this opportunity and confident in my ability to excel.
55. Thank you for reviewing my application. I am eager to bring my background and capabilities to this exciting role on your team. I am confident I can perform exceptionally well if given the opportunity. I look forward to speaking with you.
56. With my proven skills and expertise aligned with this position’s responsibilities, I am prepared to dive in and immediately begin adding value to your organization.
57. I am confident that my experience, capabilities and passion for excellence would allow me to thrive in this role. I would welcome the opportunity to join your respected organization and am eager to further discuss my qualifications.
58. I am excited by the prospect of utilizing my background to help drive innovation and success in this position. I am confident in my ability to excel on your team and look forward to learning more.
59. I believe I am an excellent candidate for this opportunity. I am enthusiastic about applying my experience to contribute to the continued growth and success of your esteemed organization.
60. With my proven track record and expertise, I know I would thrive in this role. I am eager to bring my skills and passion to your dynamic team. Thank you for your consideration – I look forward to discussing this opportunity further.

When choosing a closing statement, make sure it matches the overall tone of your cover letter and reflects your personality. Also, take into consideration the company culture and position you’re applying for.

Examples of Effective Cover Letter Closings

Formal closings.

Respectfully,
Yours faithfully,
Kind regards,
Best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Yours truly,

Semi-Formal Closings

Warm regards,
Best wishes,
With appreciation,
Looking forward to your response,
Yours in professional success,
Many thanks,
Thank you for your consideration,
Eager for the opportunity to connect,

Casual Closings

Have a great day,
All the best,
Thanks so much,
Excited to chat soon,
Grateful for your time.

Polishing Your Cover Letter Ending

Proofreading for errors.

Don’t underestimate the power of a well-proofread cover letter. Before sending it off, give it a thorough read-through, and look closely for any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Consider using a grammar tool to help catch mistakes you might have missed. Also, ask a friend, family member, or even a professional to review your cover letter. Their fresh perspective can provide valuable insights and catch anything you might have overlooked.

Ensuring Consistency with Your Resume

To make your application seamless, double-check your cover letter and resume to ensure consistency. Pay special attention to details such as job titles, dates, and company names, as inconsistencies can raise concerns from potential employers. It’s also a good idea to match the formatting and fonts across both documents to give your application a polished and cohesive look. Make sure the skills and experiences you highlight in your cover letter are complementary to those mentioned in your resume, so they work together to make a strong case for your candidacy.

Sending Your Cover Letter

Email versus hard copy.

When sending your cover letter, you’ll usually have two options: email or hard copy. Each has its benefits and considerations:

More convenient and faster
Allows for easy tracking and organization
Often preferred by employers
Be sure to use professional language and an appropriate subject line
Formal option, which may be required for certain industries or applications
Neatly print and sign your cover letter
Use quality paper and a matching envelope

It’s crucial to consider the preferences of the employer when deciding which method to use. If they haven’t specified a preference, feel free to choose the one that makes the most sense for you.

Following Submission Guidelines

No matter how well-written your cover letter is, failing to follow submission guidelines can hurt your chances of being considered for the position. Pay close attention to these key details when preparing your cover letter:

Deadline: Be punctual in submitting your application – submit on time or even earlier.
Formatting requirements: Follow any formatting requirements mentioned explicitly, such as font type, font size, and margins.
File format: Save and send your cover letter in the requested file format, like PDF or Word Document (.docx).
Contact information: Don’t forget to include your up-to-date contact information, such as your email address and phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some strong closing statements for a cover letter that stand out to employers.

A strong closing statement should reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and demonstrate your confidence in your qualifications. Here are some examples:

“I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to your team and look forward to discussing my qualifications further.”
“Thank you for considering my application. I believe my expertise aligns well with the role, and I am eager to contribute to the success of your organization.”
“I’m confident that my skills make me an ideal candidate for the position, and I’m eager to discuss how I can add value to your company.”

What’s the best way to format the closing section of my cover letter?

To format the closing section of your cover letter, you should:

Leave a space between the last paragraph and your closing.
Use a closing phrase like “Sincerely” or “Kind regards.”
Add your full name and contact information, such as email address and phone number.
If applicable, include any relevant links, such as your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio.
Leave a space between your closing phrase and your name so you can add a digital or printed signature.

Should I use ‘Kind regards’ or ‘Yours sincerely’ to finish off my cover letter?

Both ‘Kind regards’ and ‘Yours sincerely’ are acceptable and professional ways to end a cover letter. You can choose which one you feel most comfortable with or suits your individual style. In general, ‘Kind regards’ is a safe and widely used option, while ‘Yours sincerely’ is considered a bit more formal.

How can you make a cover letter feel personal and engaging without being too casual?

To make your cover letter personal and engaging, try these tips:

Address the recipient by name, if possible, to create a connection.
Start your cover letter by mentioning a specific detail about the company or role to show you’ve done your research.
Share anecdotes from your experience that directly relate to the requirements of the job and showcase your unique qualities.
Focus on the value you can bring to the company, rather than just listing your qualifications.
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How to End a Letter (With Closing Examples)

yours sincerely or sincerely yours cover letter

The Best Options to End a Letter

Letter closing examples, more letter closing examples, letter closings to avoid, how to capitalize a closing, how to format a letter ending, what to include in your signature, signature examples, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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How you end a letter is important. It’s your last chance to make a good first impression on your reader. Choose the wrong closing, and you might damage the goodwill you built up in the rest of your communication.

What’s the best way to end a letter or email message? Your closing needs to leave the reader with positive feelings about you and the letter you have written.

In closing your letter, it is important to use an appropriately respectful and professional word or phrase.

Most formal letter closing options are fairly standard, but there are degrees of warmth and familiarity if you're using a less formal closing. Your relationship with the person to whom you're writing will shape which closing you choose:

If you don’t know the individual to whom you’re writing, stick with a professional formal closing.
If you’re writing to a colleague, business connection, or someone else you know well, it’s fine to close your letter less formally.

Above all, your closing should be appropriate. Choose the right letter closing, and your reader likely won’t remember how you ended your letter. Ideally, your message will resonate instead of your word choice.

Key Takeaways

When you don’t know the individual to whom you’re writing, use a professional formal closing.
If you're writing to someone you know well, it’s fine to close your letter less formally.
Some closings are not appropriate for business correspondence, so avoid being too informal.

Review the best way to end a letter with formal, business, or personal letter closings, sample signatures, letter examples, and writing tips.

The Balance

The following are letter closings that are appropriate for business and employment-related letters.

Sincerely, Sincerely Yours, Regards, Yours Truly, and Yours Sincerely

These are the simplest and most useful letter closings to use in a formal business setting. These are appropriate in almost all instances and are excellent ways to close a cover letter or a job inquiry . “Sincerely” is a classic way to end a letter or email. If you're not sure about options, it's a good one to choose.

Best Regards, Cordially, and Yours Respectfully

These letter closings fill the need for something slightly more personal. They are appropriate once you have some knowledge of the person to whom you are writing. You may have corresponded via email a few times, had a face-to-face or phone interview, or met at a networking event.

Warm Regards, Best Wishes, and With Appreciation

These letter closings are also appropriate once you have some connection to the person to whom you are writing. They can effectively tie back to the content of your message, providing a fitting conclusion. For example, if you are sending a thank-you note, it may be appropriate to use "With Appreciation." Only use these if they make sense with the content of your letter.

When you’re ending your letter, be sure to choose a letter closing that is appropriate to the topic of your letter and your relationship with the person to whom you are writing. Here are more examples to choose from:

All the best,
Best of luck,
Best wishes,
Cordially yours,
Fond regards,
In appreciation,
In sympathy,
Kind regards,
Kind thanks,
Kind wishes,
Many thanks,
Respectfully,
Respectfully yours,
Sincerely yours,
Stay safe and well,
Thanks again,
Thank you for your assistance in this matter,
Thank you for your consideration,
Thank you for your recommendation,
Thank you for your time,
Warm regards,
Warm wishes,
With appreciation,
With deepest sympathy,
With gratitude,
With sincere thanks,
With sympathy,
Your help is greatly appreciated,
Yours cordially,
Yours faithfully,
Yours sincerely,
Yours truly,

There are certain closings you should avoid in any business letter or email. Most of these are simply too informal. Casual doesn't work with professional correspondence. Some examples of closings to avoid are listed below:

Some closings (such as “Love” and “XOXO”) imply a level of closeness that is not appropriate for a business letter. Slang or acronyms aren't appropriate either.

Capitalize the first word of your closing. If your closing is more than one word, capitalize the first word and use lowercase for the other words. For example:

Best regards,

Once you have chosen a word or phrase to use as a send-off, follow it with a comma, some space, and then include your signature.

Printed letter: If you are sending a hard-copy letter, leave four lines of space between the closing and your typed name. Use this space to sign your name in ink.

Email message: If you’re sending an email , leave one space between the complimentary close and your typed signature. Include your contact information directly below your typed signature.

Beneath your letter closing, include your signature. If this is a physical letter, first sign your name in ink, and then list your typed signature below. If this is an email letter, simply add your typed signature below your send-off.

Make sure to include your contact information in your letter.

If this is a physical letter, your contact information will be at the top of the letter. However, if this is an email, include that information beneath your typed signature. This will allow the recipient to respond to you easily.

Hard-Copy Letter Signature

Handwritten signature (for a printed letter)

Typed signature

Email Message Signature Example

Typed Signature Email Address Phone LinkedIn URL (if you have a profile)

To set up your email signature, go to “settings” in your email account. Follow the steps to add your signature and pre-populate future messages.

How do you start a business letter?

If you are sending a hard-copy version, start your business letter with your name and address, followed by the date, and then the recipient’s name and address. Then, include a salutation and the recipient’s name, e.g., “Dear Ms. Green.”

What are the parts of a business letter?

The parts of a business letter are the sender’s address, the date, the recipient’s address, a salutation, the message body, a closing, and the sender’s signature. If you send the letter by email, you can omit the address and date sections and include your contact information in your email signature.

Resources > Unitemps Career Advice > Cover letter mistakes and how to avoid them

Cover letter mistakes and how to avoid them

Cover letters seem straightforward enough but there is an art to making them stand out – find out what to avoid if your cover letter is to have the impact you want it to.

1. Don’t write a personal statement

A cover letter should give a brief indication of why you think you are right for this role. You will also want to showcase your passion for the work involved but be wary of writing a statement that is all about you – a personal statement would be a more appropriate document to tell your story and only some employers will want this as part of the application process. A cover letter, on the other hand, ‘covers’ the skills detailed on your CV by going into more detail and demonstrating your ability and how these skills have been put into practice.

2. Keep it succinct

It’s tempting to overload your cover letter with multiple examples of your skills and how you have utilised these in your work so far but the employer needs a short and snappy summary to get through a lot of applications. Instead, save some of your examples and scenarios for the interview stage, where you will be able to talk about your work in much more depth. Your cover letter should be no longer than one page.

3. Don’t repeat your CV

A cover letter shouldn’t simply list your achievements and work to date as this is the task your CV takes care of. Instead, you should reflect your skills and experience using specific examples to back up the information on your CV. Your cover letter is all about proving you’re the right person for the job through clear scenarios, so think about what qualities the employer is looking for and then instances of when you have shown these qualities at work.

4. Format it correctly

Be sure to present the information on your cover letter in the correct style and layout. It’s professional to include your address in the top right column and the address of your employer in the top left column of your letter, regardless of it being sent electronically. You should start the letter with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ or even by name if you have this information to hand. If you have addressed the receiver as sir or madam, you should sign off with ‘Yours faithfully’. If you have addressed the receiver by name, then ‘yours sincerely’ is best. Check our the Unitemps cover letter template for an example of what to do.

5. Write a new cover letter for every job role

Writing cover letters shouldn’t be rushed – and this means it can be time-consuming and the temptation to copy and paste from previous covering letters is strong. The problem with doing this is that it is often obvious to the employers that you haven’t tailored your skills to the job description. It appears lazy and you can come across as unmotivated straight away – so, if you want your covering letter to have an impact, put the time in and explicitly link your skills and experience to the person specification.

Last updated on 28 May 2024

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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

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English Editing Blog

How to Start and End a Cover Letter

Now that you’ve written your resume in English , and you’ve found a job advertisement, here are a few tips on how to write a respectable cover letter. I consider these tips to be the ‘good manners’ you’d want to extend to your potential new company.

When we’re editing cover letters at English Trackers , I’ve come to realise that many people don’t know how to start or finish a letter in English.

Compared to some of the flowery endings you find in other languages, English is incredibly simple and the salutation and sign off should be learned in pairs.

Let me explain.

The Salutation – How to start a cover letter

There are three possible choices:

You know the person’s name – then use it:

Dear Mr Parker

You don’t know the person’s name – but have been told to write to the HR department:

Dear HR Manager

You don’t know the person’s name and don’t want to offend either gender:

Dear Sir or Madam

NOTE : Do not use ‘To Whom It May Concern’

This should only be used on letters of reference, certificates etc. These kinds of documents are submitted over and over again, and are therefore addressed to many different people – whom ever it may concern.

The Sign Off – How to end a cover letter

There are only two choices: Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully

Here’s a very simple way of remembering whether you end with Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully.

“You can never have more than one ‘ S ’ in a salutation and signoff.” Therefore – Dear S ir & Yours s incerely – should never appear together.

If you know the person’s name, you ALWAYS sign off with Yours sincerely. For every other salutation, you sign off Yours faithfully.

Dear Mr Parker – Yours sincerely
Dear Ms Little – Yours sincerely
Dear Sir – Yours faithfully
Dear Madam – Yours faithfully
Dear HR Manager – Yours faithfully

I said it was simple! If you want more info on coping with letter etiquette, download the English Trackers Email Etiquette Tips – we’ve covered just about every eventuality in there.

Setting the tone

Tone is not an easy thing to master in another language. You need to write in such a way that you don’t presume anything – that the person will call you for an interview, that the company will hire you etc. – but you do want to show you’re a good fit for the position.

Endings are very hard – as hard and important as the beginning of a cover letter, and they merit a fair amount of time. You want to end on a positive note that points to the future – the possibility of an interview, the submission of further information.

In the edited version below, these two points are merged together into one fluid and positive last sentence.

I thank you for taking the time to consider my application, and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you in more detail.

In the following unedited example, the first sentence is not too bad in terms of tone, but the second sentence is basically an order; there is not even a please or a thank you!

In case this application together with my attached CV has paid your attention I will be happy to elaborate on the value I can bring xxx company.

As I am permanently employed it is very important that you treat this application with full discretion and confidentiality.

Below, is a polite, edited version of those two sentences:

Should you wish, I would be very happy to discuss the contents of this letter and the enclosed CV in person. I would also request that in light of my on-going permanent employment this application be treated with full discretion and confidentiality.

And don’t forget, when you’ve finished writing – edit, edit, edit .

Re-read it and then if possible, leave it for a night. Come back to it fresh and go through it again. Ask someone else to read it – preferably a native English speaker – and only when you are sure it’s error free and ready to represent you politely – then push SEND!

Good luck with your job applications.

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"Yours sincerely", "Yours faithfully," and "Yours truly"

When to use "yours sincerely", "yours faithfully," and "yours truly".

The Quick Answer

If you know the recipient or use their name, end your letter with 'Sincerely yours' (US) or 'Yours sincerely' (UK).
If you don't know the recipient or don't use their name, end your letter 'Yours truly' (US) or 'Yours faithfully' (UK).

Starting and Ending Letters

"Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully"?

Use "yours faithfully" ( ) or "yours truly" ( ) for unknown recipients.

Use "Yours sincerely" ( ) or "Sincerely yours" ( ) for Known Recipients

With "yours sincerely" and "yours faithfully" give only the first word a capital letter.

Follow "Yours sincerely" and "Yours faithfully" with a Comma

Write the salutation, postamble, and your name by hand, top tip: don't use "s" twice.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

Learning Resources

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How to write a cover letter.

A cover letter introduces you to an employer and asks them to think about your application.

It’s a short letter, usually 3 to 5 paragraphs long.

When to include a cover letter

You should always include a cover letter when you apply for a job using a CV.

You can write it as an email if you’re applying online or print a copy to go with a paper application.

When writing a cover letter, let the employer know you’re keen by showing that you’ve researched the company. Learn more about what they do through:

their website
recent news articles
talking to people you know who work there

Send it to the right person

It's important to try to address your cover letter to someone by name. Check you have the details of the person you need to send it to.

You'll need their name and preferred title. For example, ‘Dr’, ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’, ‘Ms’, and their job title. You should also make sure you have the right company name and address, including postcode.

If you do not know their name

If the job advert does not include a name you can check the company website. Try to find details of the head of the department, head of human resources or a recruitment manager.

If you still cannot find a name, you can start your letter with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.

Introduction

Introduce yourself and explain how you found the advertised job. You can mention the job title, and reference number if there is one.

If you’re asking about any job openings and not applying to a vacancy, tell them what sort of job you’re looking for. Let the employer see how keen you are to work for them.

Show you're right for the job

Highlight the skills and experience you have that match what the employer is looking for.

Convince them that you're enthusiastic about working for them. Let them know you share their work values, culture and style.

Give extra information

If you have gaps in your employment history, you could talk about the skills you gained while you were out of work.

If you’ve mentioned on your CV that you have a disability, you might want to talk more about this in your cover letter. Organisations like Disability UK can give you advice on how to do this. You do not have to mention your disability at this stage if you prefer not to.

You can get more help with specialist advice on finding work if you have a disability.

Ending your cover letter

Thank the employer for considering your application. Let them know that they can get more details from your CV, and tell them you're looking forward to hearing from them.

Let them know how they can best contact you. Make sure your contact details are correct on both your cover letter and CV.

Yours sincerely or yours faithfully

If you know the name of the person you’re writing to, you should end the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’.

If you’ve addressed the letter ‘Dear Sir or Madam’, you should end the letter with ‘Yours faithfully’.

Tips for writing a cover letter

When writing your cover letter, remember to:

write a new one for every job you apply for and make sure it’s tailored to the company and the specific role
use the same font and size as you do for your CV, so it looks consistent
make sure the company name and recruiter’s details are correct
use the right language and tone: keep it professional and match the keywords used by the employer in their job advert
show you’ve done your research into the job and the company
highlight your most relevant skills and experience to stand out from other applicants
back up any statements you make with facts and use the STAR method
double check spelling and grammar before you send it
keep a copy of your cover letter as they may ask you about it in an interview

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Yours Sincerely | Meaning, When to Use & Examples

Yours Sincerely | Meaning, When to Use & Examples

Published on 16 December 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 27 June 2023.

Yours sincerely is a standard sign-off, used to end an email or letter, followed by your name on the next line. ‘Sincerely’ is an adverb meaning ‘genuinely’ and is used to emphasise your honest intentions toward the person addressed.

This sign-off is relatively formal, but it should usually only be used when writing to someone you already know, not a complete stranger. An alternative like ‘Yours faithfully’ should be used with someone you’ve never written to before.

I am writing to inform you …

Yours sincerely,

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Yours sincerely or sincerely yours, sincerely on its own, sincerely, truly, or faithfully, frequently asked questions.

The order in which you write the two words depends on whether you’re writing in US or UK English :

In US English , Sincerely yours is the normal word order.
In UK English , Yours sincerely is used instead.

Sincerely yours, / Yours sincerely,

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A popular alternative, particularly in the US, is to write Sincerely on its own, without including ‘yours’ at all. This usage is now more common than the version with ‘yours’ in US business correspondence. It conveys a slightly less formal tone, although still not casual.

Use this sign-off in US correspondence if you want to tone down the formality slightly without becoming overly informal. In the UK, where it hasn’t gained as much popularity, it’s still safest to stick with Yours sincerely .

Sincerely can also be replaced with either faithfully or truly in formal correspondence. Both these alternatives are supposed to be used when writing to a person you haven’t interacted with before, especially if you addressed them as ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.

Their popularity again varies between US and UK English:

Yours truly is more popular in US English .
Yours faithfully is standard in UK English .

Note that the rules of when to use each one are followed less strictly in US correspondence. Yours truly is often used whether you know the person or not, and people are unlikely to object to it.

Yours truly, / Yours faithfully,

Sincerely is an adverb meaning ‘genuinely’ or ‘honestly’. It’s related to the adjective ‘sincere’. It’s commonly used on its own or in combination with ‘yours’ as a sign-off at the end of an email message or letter. It’s a formal way of ending a message that emphasises your honest intentions toward the recipient.

It’s also used in other contexts to emphasise the genuineness of a feeling (e.g., ‘I am sincerely sorry for my comments’).

‘Your sincerely’ is a mistake; the correct spelling of the phrase used as a sign-off for email messages and letters is Yours sincerely .

The possessive pronoun ‘Yours’ is needed, not the possessive determiner ‘Your’. A determiner like ‘your’ doesn’t stand on its own but modifies a noun.

Traditionally, the sign-off Yours sincerely is used in an email message or letter when you are writing to someone you have interacted with before, not a complete stranger.

Yours faithfully is used instead when you are writing to someone you have had no previous correspondence with, especially if you greeted them as ‘ Dear Sir or Madam ’.

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Caulfield, J. (2023, June 27). Yours Sincerely | Meaning, When to Use & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 24 June 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/strong-communication/yours-sincerely/

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