How to write a post-interview thank you email

A thank-you email after an interview significantly increases your chance of getting hired. In fact, 80% of recruiters say that receiving a thank-you email influenced their decision-making process. So, if you want to improve your chances of landing a job, you'll need to know how to follow up with the employer to express your gratitude.

• Why send a thank-you email after an interview?
• When should you send a thank-you email after an interview?
• How to write a thank-you email after an interview
• Tips for writing a thank-you email after an interview
• Common mistakes to avoid
• 5 thank-you email templates
• Example of a thank-you email after an interview
• Conclusion
• FAQs 

Why send a thank-you email after an interview? 

Sending a thank-you email after an interview serves three broad purposes.

1. It shows good manners. In general, expressing gratitude is a good thing to do after someone has given you their time and attention. In the business world specifically, good manners equal professionalism, which is a trait that employers desire in candidates.
2. It gives you an opportunity to learn more about the job. If any concern or confusion arose during the interview, you can address these in your thank-you email. The information you gather helps you verify if you're right for the job and that the job is right for you.
3. A thank-you email helps keep you on top of the employer's mind. By restating your interest and qualifications in your email, you remind them of the positive impression you made during the interview. This can give you an advantage over other candidates. 

When should you send a thank-you email after an interview? 

Timing is important. A thank-you email after your interview should arrive in the interviewer's inbox within 24 hours. If necessary, you can stretch the window to 48 hours. This ensures that the employer will remember you without seeming pushy. 

You may also want to consider the application timeline to determine the ideal time frame. For example, a longer waiting period may be appropriate if the application process is slower-moving. 

How to write a thank-you after an interview 

Need guidance writing your after-interview email? Here are step-by-step instructions to get you going: 

1. Write a personalized subject line 

The subject line is the first thing the interviewer will see in their inbox, so it should be clear what your message is about. A straightforward approach is best like "Thank you for meeting with me this afternoon." 

2. Write a personalized greeting 

The greeting at the start of the email should be personalized, too, so address the interviewer by prefix and surname. Using their name shows that you were attentive during the interview. It also helps form a connection. 

3. Include a clear expression of gratitude 

The body of your email should be as straightforward as the subject line. Clearly thank the interviewer for their time, the opportunity to learn more about the role, and the chance to get to know the company.  

4. Emphasize your interest in the position and the company 

Now's a good time to highlight what excites you about the position and the company. Briefly describe how your skills and experience align with both. Emphasize how you'll be a good fit in the organization. 

5. Draw attention to your skills and qualifications 

You should also remind the interviewer of the skills and qualifications that make you suited for the job. Focus on the points you discussed during the interview. This can help reinforce your strengths. 

6. Mention any questions or concerns 

Use the thank-you email to clear up any confusion or concerns that arose in you during the interview. This demonstrates not only your attention to detail but also your initiative to address issues head-on. 

7. Include a call to action 

In the last line of your message body, offer to provide further information and encourage the interviewer to reach out to you. A call to action increases the odds of a response, no matter their decision.  

8. Sign off 

Finally, end the email with a complimentary close like "Sincerely," "Gratefully yours," or "Thank you again for your time." Follow this with a comma and, below the closing, type out your name. 

Tips for writing a thank-you email after an interview 

Using these strategies and best practices ought to improve the chances that your thank-you email will have the desired effect: 

Tailor your message to the company 

Try not to send the same generic email to every interviewer you meet with. Instead, include specific details from your interview, mention aspects of the company you admire, and address the interviewer's comments. A personal touch can help show your attentiveness to their input and strengthen your connection to them. 

Be friendly but professional 

This is a formal email, so your language and tone should be appropriate for the occasion. Address the interviewer by the correct title and name, and avoid using overly casual language, informal greetings, and emojis. 

Keep your message to the point 

Aim for a relatively brief but impactful email that focuses on the most important issues. The interviewer may not fully read a very lengthy email, or it could come across as overwhelming. Stick to a few paragraphs that highlight your key points. 

Proofread your email 

Ensure your email is well-written and free of errors. This demonstrates a keen attention to detail. Also, few things are more professional than a flawless bit of business correspondence.  

Follow up if necessary 

Go ahead and send a follow-up email if the interviewer doesn't return your message after about a week. In your email, politely inquire about the status of your application. If you don't get the job, you can send another follow-up email asking for feedback. 

Common mistakes to avoid 

Making a mistake at this point in the hiring process may hurt your chances of landing the job. Avoid these common mistakes so you don't undo all of your hard work:

• Waiting too long to send your email: Sending your email within 24 to 48 hours helps plant you in the interviewer's memory. If you wait longer than that, your email might be met with some amount of confusion. The interviewer may have to think hard to recall your interview. The effort that goes into remembering you could cause them to think, "If they weren't memorable, I must not have been impressed."
• Focusing too much on yourself: ⁠When you highlight your qualifications and emphasize your skills, do so in a way that shows how they will benefit the company. Demonstrate your understanding of the company's goals and values, and explain how you can contribute to its success.
• Apologizing for a mistake you made during the interview: You want the interviewer to remember the good parts of the interview, not the bad ones. Don't worry too much about any mistakes you made. If you don't mention them at all, the interviewer is more likely to forget about them.
• Being pushy in your follow-up emails: Respect the interviewer's time, as they likely manage multiple job openings. Constantly emailing them would only give them an overwhelming number of messages in their inbox.  

Five sample thank you emails after an interview  

Below are five thank-you email templates to help you get started on your own email. Each one is tailored for a different circumstance:

1. Traditional thank you email

A traditional thank-you email is suitable for most occasions. 

It hits all of the main points – your interest, qualifications, and appreciation for the opportunity – in an easily digestible length.

Subject: Thank You for the Opportunity - [Your Name] Interview for [Position] Dear [Interviewer's Name], Thank you for considering me for the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. It was a pleasure meeting you and learning about [topics you discussed in the interview]. My experience in [specific skills or experiences related to the job] makes me confident that I am [descriptive word or phrase] for the [job title] position. I am particularly excited about [an aspect of the job you found interesting] and contributing to [Company Name]'s success. My background in [Industry or field] and [specific professional goal or value] would enable me to make a meaningful impact as a member of your team. I would like to emphasize my strong interest in being the [job title] at [Company Name]. Your thorough explanation of the role and [repeat the topics you mentioned in the first paragraph] are encouraging.  I eagerly await your response. [Complimentary close],  [Your Full Name]

2. Short thank you email

A short thank-you email after an interview is enough to yield a good outcome without overwhelming the interviewer with information.

Subject: A short thank-you email after an interview is enough to yield a good outcome without overwhelming the interviewer with information. Dear [Interviewer's Name], Again, allow me to say it was a pleasure speaking with you [today/this morning/this afternoon/yesterday] regarding the [job title] position. I am [adjective] for your insights about [discussion points] at [Company Name].      If you have any questions or wish to discuss my potential future at [Company Name], please don't hesitate to contact me at your convenience. Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon. [Complimentary close],  [Your Name]

3. Thank-you email for a group or panel interview

The main difference here is that you're addressing multiple people. You may need to change this template to suit your circumstances.

Subject: Such a Pleasure Meeting All of You - [Your Name] - [Job Title] Dear [Names of the Members Involved in the Interview], I am very grateful that you all took the time [today/yesterday] to discuss the [job title] position with me. Your insights into [Company Name]'s [discussion points] have increased my interest in the role. I believe my [specific qualities] make me the right fit for [Company Name]. With over [number] years in [Industry], I hope to apply my expertise in [relevant experience 1], [relevant experience 2], and [relevant experience 3] to add value to the company.  [Optional Section: If desired, include another paragraph to discuss additional qualifications, address misunderstandings, or elaborate on interview points.] Again, I very much enjoyed meeting with all of you and appreciate your consideration. I look forward to hearing about the next steps in the hiring process. [Complimentary close],  [Your Name]

4. Thank-you email with additional information 

You might send this type of thank-you email if the interviewer requested additional information during the interview. You can also include additional information in a standard thank-you email if you think it will improve your candidacy.

Subject: Thank You (And Additional Details) - [Your Name] - [Job Title] Dear [Interviewer's Name], I hope you are well. Thank you for giving me a chance to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] on [interview date]. Meeting you was a pleasure, and I valued our discussion. I especially appreciated [key discussion points].  Attached to this email are [descriptions of documents], [as requested]. I believe they sufficiently support [discussion points to which the documents relate].  Once more, I appreciate your time and your insights. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the next steps in the hiring process.  [Complimentary close],  [Your Name]

5. Follow-up thank-you email

If you don't hear back from the interviewer after about a week, you can send a follow-up email using this template.

Subject: Thank You and Follow Up - [Your Name] - [Job Title]  Dear [Interviewer's Name], I hope you are doing well. I'm writing just to follow up on my interview for the [job title] position on [date of interview]. I was just wondering whether there are any developments, as our engaging conversation left a lasting impression on me. I was especially struck by [key discussion points].  Should you require any other information or clarification, please let me know. I am eager to collaborate with you at [Company Name] and contribute to its continued success.  [Complimentary close],  [Your Name]

Example of a thank-you email after an interview 

This example follows the traditional thank-you email template above, but take note of the differences that tailor it to the writer's specific circumstances and interests. 

Subject: I Greatly Enjoyed Meeting You Today for the Copywriter Position - Bayani Flores 

Dear Ms. Garcia, 

I am writing to thank you for seeing me this morning and considering me for the internal copywriter role at Allan Press. Learning about the editorial process and workflows in the creative department reinforces my enthusiasm for the opportunity. On top of that, it was an absolute pleasure meeting you and the editor-in-chief, Mr. Cruz.  

I hope you found my experience with content management systems and various style guides to be sufficient for the role. With five years of professional copywriting to my name, I am confident that I am the candidate you are seeking for this role. I am particularly excited about acquainting myself with Allan Press's internal systems and contributing to the company's success.  

Again, I would like to emphasize my strong interest in being the newest internal copywriter at Allan Press. With your thorough explanation of the role and description of the company culture, I am encouraged to pursue this opportunity full force. 

I eagerly await your response. 

Best regards, 

Bayani Flores 

Craft a great thank-you email to impress your interviewer

Crafting a masterful thank-you email after a job interview is like adding the final strokes to a painting, where every detail matters. Remember, though, that you must time your message appropriately and be mindful about what you include in it. Personalize your email, proofread it carefully, and don't be afraid to follow up if necessary. 

FAQs

1. What if I don't have the interviewer's email address? ⁠If you don't have the interviewer's email address, look for their contact information on the company website or professional networking platforms. Alternatively, reach out to the person who coordinated the interview to request the interviewer's contact information. 
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2. Should I send a thank-you email even if I think the interview didn't go well? ⁠You certainly can. Your thank-you email may help resolve any issues or misunderstandings that led you to believe the interview didn't go well. Just try to address the issues indirectly without calling attention to your mistakes. If you had trouble articulating, for example, you might say, "I was so excited about the opportunity." That might imply that your enthusiasm was the cause. 
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3. Is it OK to send a thank-you email from my personal email account? ⁠As long as your email handle is professional (your name rather than a nickname), it's acceptable to use it for sending a thank-you email. However, if you have a professional email address associated with your field or industry, using that one is preferable. 
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4. How long should my thank-you email be? ⁠Aim for around 250 to 300 words. That's enough to be concise and focused but also inclusive of all the necessary information.