On covering letters do i put sincerely or faithfully?

Question

My step sis says sincerely, but the ones on the net say both.

Which is it and why?

Answer 1

If you know who u are writing to i.e their name then its yours sincerely.

If you don't know their name then its yours faithfully  

Answer 2

if you are adressing the letter to "MR" or MRS" or first name then its SINCERELY

If you are addressing the letter DEAR SIR/MADAM then it is faithfully

Answer 3

Sincerely is most commonly used, and what is taught in business writing courses.

Answer 4

for a start , do you know the adressee? if u DON'T know the recipient then its 'faithfully'

Answer 5

there seems to be some discrepancy as to the answers above. i know that in the *USA*, one would never use "faithfully" in a professional, business letter.

using "faithfully" might be a European thing. it's certainly NOT done in the US.

Answer 6

I remember it as the the Ss don't like to be together.

So Dear Sir/Madam = Yours faithfully,

and Dear Mr/Ms Smith = Yours sincerely,

Answer 7

First of all, it's a cover letter, not a covering letter. Secondly, sincerely is preferable in business letters. I have never heard of ending a business letter with "faithfully," that's just odd.

Answer 8

I would never use "faithfully" in a business letter.

Answer 9

Written etiquette would suggest that if you know the name of the person that you are writing to, then you should close with yours sincerely, and if you don't it should be yours faithfully.  

E.g.  Dear Mr Jones

        Yours sincerely

Dear Sir,

Yours faithfully

Hope this helps

Answer 10

Sincerely is a standard closing for a business letter.