A cover letter that is submitted electronically does not need to be signed. Use the same font as the rest of the letter to write your complete name; do not use italics or a handwritten font. Make sure that you send it from the email address that is listed as having administrative access to your account.
When emailing a cover letter with a signature, use a professional sign off (such as genuinely, honestly yours, best regards, or most sincerely) followed by your entire name typed beneath. When you sign off on a resume cover letter, be sure to include your contact information clearly. Include the word "Sincerely" in your signature line if you want it included in the body of your letter.
So, yes, an appropriate use of "sincerely" would be at the end of a cover letter sending a message that you're writing from your heart and not for pay. However, using "sincerely" in a casual letter is almost like saying that you don't take yourself too seriously which isn't a good idea.
Some other helpful hints
If you are submitting your cover letter by email, put your name and work title in the subject line: Include your contact information in your email signature, but leave the employer's contact information off the top of the message. Begin each email message with a greeting. Here's how to write an email cover letter in Microsoft Word. Follow these tips to ensure that your email cover letter is effective.
For example, if you are sending out a cover letter along with several other documents, it is best to divide up the text into different emails so it is not all in one long message.
When sending a cover letter through the mail, it should include your contact information- including your phone number and address- as well as the name and contact information for the person who will be reading it. If you want to keep things simple, print out a copy of the cover letter and attach it to your email message.
The content of your email cover letter should reflect the position that you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a sales job, then your cover letter should help make the employer feel like they can trust you. They should understand what makes you a great candidate for the position. Include references to previous employers or jobs where you have demonstrated that you can perform the required duties.
If you send out multiple copies of your cover letter, be sure to keep track of which company it is being sent to.
How Should a Cover Letter Be Written?
After your concluding sentence, such as "Best" or "Sincerely Yours," place a comma and your name on the line below. Include a closure, your handwritten signature, and your typed complete name when mailing a written letter. There should be a few spaces between the closure and your inputted name. The post office will place a stamp on your letter at the end of the day.
You can also write your signature letter online. First, go to www.snailmail.us. This is where you can find a template for a signature letter. You can use this template by typing your information in the blank space and clicking "Submit Signature." The website will generate a new letter with your information on it.
When you are writing your signature letter online, make sure that you type your complete name (first name, last name). Otherwise, you will not receive your letter back from the post office.
Also make sure that you type your name exactly like it appears on the signature line of the template or the letter won't be delivered. If the post office receives an incomplete letter, they may return it to you instead of delivering it.
Finally, follow all the instructions that appear after submitting your letter online.
If you are writing an informal letter, you may eliminate the recipient's name and address, as well as sign it off more casually: "With love," or "With best wishes," rather than "Yours truly," and sign with only your first name, omitting your surname and title.
When you send an email, there is no way to sign off otherwise. When you receive such a letter, it is customary to reply in kind, thereby maintaining the correspondence. This is very common with friends, but it also works with business partners, clients, and other relations.
The easiest way to sign off an email is by adding "Sincerely," to the end of your message. This is good manners whether you're sending someone an email or writing them a formal letter. Some people may feel uncomfortable receiving an email without a signature, so they will add "Sincere" before their email address. This is acceptable practice that shows you take privacy seriously.
You can also use different fonts to show your respect, for example italicize the last word of your message. Or you could simply write a short sentence that ends with "yours sincerely." Finally, you could use all caps for effect!
These are just some examples; there are many others ways to sign off an email.
Follow these cover letter success strategies to avoid making some costly cover letter blunders.