for job application is it your sincerely or faithfully

[Guest]

I am not sure whether to add Yours Faithfully or Yours Sincerely to a
covering letter for a job application, can anyone help?

 

[Tony Jollans]

It depends to whom it is addressed - the general rule is you do not put two
S's together - that is, if you address Dear *S*ir then you use Yours
Faithfully (i.e. not *S*incerely) although much business communication these
days is less formal.

 

[Jezebel]

Best practice is to use neither. Just put the recipient's name at the top
(forget the dear, unless you *really* mean it) and your own name, unadorned,
at the bottom.

 

[Guest]

Do not use capitals for the faithfully or sincerely - just the Yours.

 

[Greg Maxey]

I prefer:

Yours in desperation,


In despre

Best practice is to use neither. Just put the recipient's name at the top
(forget the dear, unless you *really* mean it) and your own name, unadorned,
at the bottom.

 

[Jezebel]

Can you offer a suggestion as to what "Yours" means in this context?

 

[Jay Freedman]

In the 18th century, a typical closing was "Your faithful servant"
(even when brutal honesty might have demanded "Your relentless
nemesis"). That was shortened to "Yours" along the way to having no
closing at all.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
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[Jezebel]

Yes, we know what it *used* to mean -- but if it means nothing now, why
include it at all?

I remain
your humble servant
J

 

[Greg Maxey]

I'm agreeable to that. I now prefer:

In desperation,

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I would advise just "Sincerely." This is an "invisible" closing, just as
"Dear X" is an invisible salutation. That is, it does not call attention to
itself, as any variation, modern or old-fashioned, will certainly do. Note,
however, that that advice is given for US letters. I believe the UK may be
more conservative.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

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all may benefit.

 

[Guest]

Jezebel humble? Heaven forfend! Humble servitude does not befit you at all.

Fred