> When to Use "Yours Sincerely" or "Yours Faithfully" in an Application Letter
When applying for a job, the way you close your application letter matters just as much as how you begin it. Two of the most commonly used formal closings in cover letters and business correspondence are "Yours sincerely" and "Yours faithfully." Although both are polite and professional, they are not interchangeable. At VacancyBox, we often come across candidates using these terms incorrectly — which, while not a deal breaker, can reflect poorly on your attention to detail. Let’s break it down for you.
✅ Use "Yours sincerely" when…
You know the name of the person you are writing to.
If the job advert or your research has provided you with the hiring manager’s or recruiter’s actual name, then your sign-off should be "Yours sincerely."
Example:
Dear Mr. Moyo,
I am writing to express my interest in the position of Administrative Officer at ABC Pvt Ltd...
Yours sincerely,
Jane Dube
✅ Use "Yours faithfully" when…
You do not know the name of the person you are writing to.
If the job advert is addressed to “Dear Sir/Madam”, or if it only says something like “The Human Resources Manager,” and no actual name is given, then "Yours faithfully" is the correct sign-off.
Example:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to apply for the Customer Service Representative position recently advertised...
Yours faithfully,
Tendai Ncube
Why it matters
While some may overlook it, hiring professionals—especially in formal industries—often take note of such details. Using the correct closing shows:
You understand formal business etiquette.
You pay attention to structure and detail.
You took time to tailor your application professionally.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Saying “Yours sincerely” when starting with “Dear Sir/Madam”
🚫 Using “Yours faithfully” when you’ve already addressed the person by name
🚫 Using informal endings like “Regards” or “Thanks” in formal cover letters
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