Tips for Writing a Professional Thank You Email After Your Interview

Thank you! Emails have the power to leave a lasting impression. After an interview, sending a thank you email can be the difference between getting a job offer and not. A thank you note sets you apart from other applicants, confirms your interest in the job, and helps make a positive connection with the interviewer. Read on how to write the perfect thank you email after your interview.

How to write a follow up email after an interview

Sending a follow-up email after an interview is a professional gesture that shows gratitude for the opportunity and reiterates interest in the position.
It's recommended to thank the employer for their time and consideration and showcase relevant skills, experience, and qualifications that align with the company's objectives.

Also, include any additional interview questions and answers, and have personal details to understand your character better. Conclude by politely inquiring about their decision-making timeline or offering your contact information for any further inquiries they may have. This demonstrates your eagerness and enthusiasm for the opportunity and leaves a positive impression. Now, let's talk about what to avoid in your thank-you letter!

What to Avoid in Your Thank You Email

When composing a thank you email following an interview, it is crucial to avoid specific errors. Firstly, refrain from generalizing general phrases and genuinely express gratitude for the interviewer's time and dedication.

Secondly, abstain from utilizing slang or excessively informal verbiage; adhere to a professional tone. Third, It is recommended not to attach your resume or cover letter in the email, and it is crucial that you carefully review for any errors in grammar or spelling before sending. These actions can enhance the effectiveness of your thank you email with potential employers.

Now, let's explore why sending a thank you note after an interview is important to leave a lasting impression and ensure your application stands out!

Why Is It Important to Send a Thank You Note?

Sending a thank you note after an interview is an essential step in the job search process. It conveys gratitude for the interviewer's time and consideration and showcases a candidate's dedication to the position. Going the extra mile demonstrates a commitment to the opportunity and sets you apart from other candidates, signaling a strong interest in pursuing it.

When writing a thank you note, it is recommended to include your enthusiasm for the job, any additional questions or points not discussed during the meeting, and your contact details for easy communication with the employer. This could increase your chances of being recognized and securing the desired job.

When to send a thank-you email after an interview

A thank you email after an interview should be sent within 24 hours for maximum effectiveness, ensuring that the email is still relevant and fresh in the interviewer's mind. Promptly sending a thank you email displays professionalism and attention to detail, indicating a genuine interest in the opportunity.

It is recommended that you take additional time, if necessary, to create an adequate personalized message rather than sending one that is insufficient. To increase the likelihood of being selected, it's important to include any missed discussion points or questions in your thank you email, along with your contact information, for easy follow-up by the potential employer.

Now, let's talk about how long a thank-you letter should be - it should be just long enough to express your gratitude and enthusiasm without being too lengthy!

How long should a thank-you letter be?

When composing a thank-you letter following an interview, maintaining brevity is crucial. A thank-you email ought to consist of no more than two brief paragraphs or roughly 80-150 words.

While you should include all relevant information and express your gratitude, you should also avoid making the email too lengthy as the hiring manager may not read it. When responding, it is important to highlight applicable skills and qualifications that align with the company's objectives.

Additionally, providing personal details can offer a more well-rounded view of your character. Concluding with a confident call-to-action, such as asking about the decision timeline or offering contact information for further inquiries, can demonstrate professionalism and enthusiasm.

To whom should you address the thank-you email?

When sending a follow-up email after an interview, verifying the interviewer's name, job title, and email address is recommended to ensure accuracy. Confirming with the HR department or the interview coordinator is recommended for additional clarification.

Including a brief summary of your previous job and qualifications can be helpful for the interviewer to remember your credentials.

How do you start a thank-you letter?

When writing a thank-you letter after an interview, it is important to start with a formal greeting. Beginning the letter with “Dear,” followed by the interviewer’s name and title, is an appropriate way to start the email.

After the opening, it is beneficial to include one or two sentences that express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview and how much you enjoyed speaking with them. You can also thank them for communicating with you and for any other insights they may have shared throughout your conversation.

Expressing appreciation in your letter leaves a lasting impression on the potential employer. Conclude the letter positively by expressing your continued interest in the position and anticipating further communication. This will reinforce your candidacy and increase the likelihood of being considered for the position.

What to include in a post-interview thank-you letter

The content of your thank-you email should include the following:

1. Subject line

The subject line should be clear and relevant, indicating that it is a follow-up to the interview. Something like “Thank You For Our Interview” or “Thank You For Your Time” will quickly communicate what your email is about.

Adding the interviewer's name or position to the subject line can enhance email visibility and increase the likelihood of it being opened. Proper grammar and spelling in a thank-you email can increase the chances of it being delivered to the intended recipient, especially if the employer has automated email filtering systems. A well-crafted subject line can also improve the likelihood of the email being noticed.

2. Personalized greeting

Begin the email with a personalized greeting. This can be as simple as “Dear,” or you might include more detail depending on how well the two of you connected during the interview.

For example, if there was something specific that the interview discussed, such as a shared interest in hiking, you could start with “Dear, It was great to talk with you about our mutual love of hiking yesterday.” This will remind your interviewer of your conversation and help make your thank-you email stand out from other job seekers they might have interviewed.

3. Express Gratitude

Express gratitude for the opportunity to meet and discuss the role, reiterating enthusiasm for the job and highlighting unique qualifications and experiences that set you apart from other candidates. Please reference any additional questions that were asked during the interview and provide answers if appropriate.

4. Follow Up

Conclude by reaffirming your interest in the position and addressing any additional inquiries or concerns that may have arisen during the interview process. Specify when you intend to follow up next and invite them to contact you if they require further clarification before making their decision. Provide your contact details for easy accessibility if needed.

5. Note of appreciation

Begin by expressing appreciation for the opportunity to be considered for the position and thanking the interviewer for their time. Highlight any distinctive skills or experiences that differentiate you from other applicants, and address any further queries that arose during the interview.

In conclusion, expressing continued interest in the position and allowing the employer to ask any additional questions or request other information can leave a professional and personal impression.

6. Recap of your qualifications

After an interview, it's important to clearly and professionally communicate your qualifications, highlighting the unique qualities that set you apart from other candidates. Highlight any relevant experiences, skills, achievements, or accolades from previous positions that apply to the role.

Additionally, providing a concise overview of your responses to any pertinent inquiries made during the interview is recommended. To conclude, express gratitude for their consideration and the opportunity to discuss with them. Including a summary of qualifications can help demonstrate why you are a fitting candidate for the position.

7. Prompt to take the next step

Thank you for meeting with me to discuss the exciting opportunity at [Insert Company]. I appreciate being considered among the qualified candidates. My skills and experience align well with the requirements of this role, and I am interested in proceeding further. Let me know if you require any further information, and I can answer any questions about my qualifications. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I anticipate hearing from you soon.

8. Contact information

When concluding your thank you email following the interview, it is recommended to include your contact details for the convenience of the hiring manager. It is vital to ensure that the information provided is accurate and has a valid email address and phone number for contact purposes. Maintaining consistency in contact information between your email signature, job application, and resume is crucial to ensure accuracy and professionalism throughout the interview process.

Any discrepancies may cause confusion for the hiring team and impact your candidacy. Additionally, if you were provided with a business card during the interview, including that person's contact information in your thank you email is recommended. Providing this information will allow for easy access to respond to any future questions regarding your previous role or involvement with the company.

Thank-you letter templates and examples

Many templates and examples are available to help guide you in creating the perfect thank-you email after your interview. From simple templates with basic information to more detailed versions including specifics from your interview, these resources can be helpful in crafting the ideal message to show appreciation for your potential employer's time. The right template will give you a positive first impression and stand out amongst other qualified candidates.

Here are some tips on how to write the perfect thank you email:

Be timely: Send the email within 24-48 hours of the interview.

Address the interviewer(s) by name: Personalize the email by using the interviewer's name in the greeting.

Express gratitude: Start the email by thanking the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.

Recap the interview: Mention specific points discussed during the interview that you found particularly interesting or important.

Reiterate your interest: Emphasize your interest in the position and the company, and highlight why you would be a good fit.

Clarify any questions or concerns: If there were any questions or concerns you had during the interview, address them in the email and provide further clarification.

Keep it concise: Keep the email brief and to the point, around 3-4 paragraphs.

Proofread: Double-check your email for any grammatical errors or typos before sending it.

Example:
Dear [Interviewer's Name],

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the [position name] role at [company name]. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the position and the company culture.

I was particularly interested in our discussion about [specific topic discussed during the interview]. It was great to hear about [company's achievement or project] and how the [position name] role can contribute to the growth of the company.

I want to reiterate my strong interest in the position and the opportunity to join the [company name] team. I believe that my skills and experience align well with the requirements of the role, and I am excited about the prospect of contributing to the company's success.

If there are any further questions or concerns that you may have, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]

Certainly! Here are a few templates of thank you emails you could send after an interview:

Template 1: After an In-person Interview

Dear {Interviewer’s Name},

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet with me today to discuss the {position name} role at {company name}. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the position and the company culture.

I found the discussion we had about {specific topic discussed during the interview} to be particularly insightful. It was great to hear about {company's achievement or project} and how the {position name} role can contribute to the growth of the company.

I am excited about the prospect of joining the {company name} team and believe that my skills and experience align well with the requirements of the role. If there are any further questions or concerns that you may have, please reach out to me.

Once again, thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
{Your Name}

Template 2: After a Virtual Interview

Dear [Interviewer's Name],

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for meeting with me virtually to discuss the [position name] role at [company name]. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the position and the company culture.

I found the discussion we had about [specific topic discussed during the interview] to be particularly interesting. It was great to hear about [company's achievement or project] and how the [position name] role can contribute to the company's growth.

I am excited about the prospect of joining the [company name] team and believe that my skills and experience align well with the requirements of the role. If there are any further questions or concerns that you may have, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Template 3: After a Panel Interview

Dear [Interviewer's Name],

I wanted to thank you and the rest of the panel for taking the time to meet with me today to discuss the [position name] role at [company name]. Learning more about the role and your organization was a pleasure, and I remain confident that I am an ideal fit for it.

Having discussed my qualifications and background, as well as your expectations for this role, I am even more enthusiastic about the potential of joining your team.

I am available to answer any additional questions or provide more information at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you again for considering me as a candidate.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Does sending a thank-you note work?

It has been believed that sending a thank-you note after an interview is customary. However, it can impact your job search. A thank-you note can express gratitude for being considered for the job and remind the hiring manager of your qualifications. It may also leave a lasting impression.

Sending a well-crafted thank-you email or handwritten letter after an interview can distinguish you from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to the job search process. Sometimes, it may influence the hiring manager's decision in your favor.

Final Thoughts on Thank You Emails

A thank you email after a job interview is a crucial step that should not be ignored. Writing a well-thought-out and professional message that expresses appreciation for being considered, emphasizes your qualifications, and reinforces why you are the ideal candidate for the job is important.

Sending a well-crafted thank you email can enhance your chances of standing out among other candidates and making a lasting impression on the hiring manager.
Additionally, it's essential to include all appropriate contact details, like your email address or business card, to ensure prompt delivery of your message to the intended recipient. Following these steps can increase the chances of your thank you email standing out and potentially leading to a job offer.