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Should you Write an Interview Thank You note?
After a job interview, it's always a good idea to follow up with a thank-you email. This is a simple way to show your appreciation for the interviewer's time and consideration, and can also help keep you top of mind as they continue to evaluate candidates.
In this article, we'll provide some tips for crafting an effective thank-you email, and include some sample templates to get you started.
Why is it important?
According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder, 60% of interviewees do NOT follow-up after the interview. This is your opportunity to separate your name from the others.
Writing an Interview Thank You Letter has been a common act of courtesy for centuries. Yet, the practice of sending one after an interview has dramatically decreased despite the drastic success it can have.
Beyond courtesy, writing an Interview Thank You Note gives you another advantage; It is an opportunity for you to increase your chances of being hired if you know how to strategically word this letter!
How To Write an Interview Thank You Email
1. Start with a clear subject line
Your subject line should clearly convey the purpose of your email, so the recipient knows what to expect when they open it.
Sample email subjects for a thank you email:
- “Thank you for the interview”
- “Follow-up after our meeting”
- Thank you, [Interviewer’s Name]
- Thank you for your time and advice
- Thanks for the interview yesterday
- I enjoyed learning more about [Company Name]
- Thank you!
If you’ve interviewed with multiple persons, send personalized thank-you letters to each of them.
2. Express your gratitude
In the opening paragraph of your email, thank the interviewer for taking the time to speak with you and express your appreciation for their consideration. By beginning with this line, you ensure your document already starts with a positive tone. You might also briefly reiterate your interest in the role and the company.
Example:
“Dear Sir/Madam (use their actual name), I appreciate the time you took to speak with me earlier. Our meeting felt very beneficial and I have already begun researching the plans we discussed.”
In the second line, you are making a second deposit to the reader’s “bank” by proving you are actively listening, interested in their ideas, and proactive with beginning work.
3. Highlight something you learned or enjoyed
If there was a particular aspect of the interview that stood out to you or that you enjoyed, consider mentioning it in your email. This can help you build rapport with the interviewer and leave a positive impression.
Discuss 1-3 items you found to support their concept. Don’t use this as an opportunity to provide contrasting information. It won’t earn you any points to be argumentative.
3. Reiterate your qualifications
In the body of your email, you might also want to take the opportunity to remind the interviewer of your qualifications and how they align with the job requirements. This can be a good way to reinforce your fit for the role and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Immediately after thanking the reader and letting them know you’ve already begun researching their ideas, you will provide an example of something you discussed. Expand upon the subject beyond what you discussed in the face-to-face meeting. Your next sentence should read:
“I enjoyed speaking with you about my experiences championing Lean Manufacturing. As I stated, my Six Sigma Black Belt was a huge accomplishment for me. It has helped me improve efficiency in my own department an additional 40%. I am very excited to collaborate with your team so that I can on board everyone in these methods and starts improving the department’s bottom line.”
You’ve reminded them of your key skills. You’ve proven you are eager to begin the work. Plus, you’ve ensured the reader understands you are looking to collaborate with a team and not merely begin dictating to people with whom you’ve yet to form a bond. Feel free to add a couple more skills in the same manner.
5. Close with a call to action –
Smooth End Your Interview Thank You Note
The two most difficult parts to write in any document are the beginning and the end. The key to a flawless finish is to ease into it by citing the bullet points you’ve discussed and come full circle to tie them all together. For example:
“I am certain that my commitment to safety combined with my proactive commitment to research makes me the ideal candidate for this position. I look forward to discussing the next steps because I know your reputable company is a place where I will enjoy a long and fulfilling career. Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to share my experiences with you. Yours, Marick”
You’ve given a brief description of what you offer. They will undoubtedly remember you and your value now. Be sure to thank them once more and remember to include your full name and contact information at the end.
Sample Thank You Email Templates
Here are a few sample thank you email templates to help you get started:
Template 1:
Subject: “Thank you for the interview”
Dear [Interviewer's Name],
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for speaking with me today about the [position name] role at [company name]. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the company and the position, and I'm even more excited about the prospect of joining your team.
I particularly enjoyed learning about [something you discussed in the interview], and I think my experience in [relevant skill or experience] would make me a great fit for the role. I look forward to hearing more about the next steps in the hiring process, and please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Best regards, [Your Name]
Template 2:
Subject: Follow-up after our meeting
Dear [Interviewer's Name],
I wanted to reach out and thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the [position name] role. It was great to learn more about the company and the team, and I appreciated the opportunity to discuss my qualifications and experience.
I'm particularly excited about the prospect of working with a team that values [company value or culture aspect], and I believe my skills in [relevant skill or experience] would make me a strong contributor to the team. Please let me know if there's any additional information I can provide as you continue to evaluate candidates.
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Best regards, [Your Name]
Template 3
Subject: “Thank you for the interview”
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the company and the requirements of the role.
Our discussion about my previous experience and how it relates to this position was very informative. I was particularly excited to hear about the [specific project or responsibility] that I would be working on if I were to be hired.
I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for the warm welcome and the thorough interview process. I remain interested in the position and I am excited about the possibility of joining the team at [Company Name]. Please let me know if there is anything else you need from me at this time.
Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Formal Example Interview Thank You Note:
“Dear Ms. Green and Mr. Black,
I appreciate the time you both took to speak with me earlier. Our meeting felt very beneficial and I have already begun researching the plans we discussed.”
I enjoyed speaking with you about my experiences championing Lean Manufacturing. As I stated, my Six Sigma Black Belt was a huge accomplishment for me. It has helped me improve efficiency in my own department an additional 40%. I am very excited to collaborate with your team so that I can onboard everyone in these methods and start improving the department’s bottom line.
After our meeting, I reviewed your core values. I was impressed to find out that XYZ Manufacturing has had a flawless zero-injury record for the last 5 years, proving your commitment with your Mission Statement objective of worker safety being the top priority. I have found that consumer safety begins with caring for the well-being of our employees. My EHS experience is a huge attribute as I have been responsible for 7 solid years of an accident-free workplace with my teams.
I am certain that my commitment to safety combined with my proactive commitment to research makes me the ideal candidate for this position. Therefore I look forward to discussing the next steps because I know your reputable company is a place where I will enjoy a long and fulfilling career. Thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to share my experiences with you.
Yours,
Marick
Marick B. Kalchert
Title
Email Address
Phone Number”
Second Interview Email Template for an Interview Thank You Note:
Dear [Interviewer's Name],
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for taking the time to speak with me for the second round of interviews for the [Position] role at [Company Name]. It was great to have the opportunity to discuss the position further and learn more about the company and its values.
After our conversation, I remain very interested in the role and believe that my experience and skillset would be a strong fit for the team. I appreciate the chance to showcase my abilities and highlight my passion for the work you are doing at [Company Name].
If there are any additional questions or information I can provide to help with your decision, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
What is the recommended timing for sending a thank-you email after an interview?
To ensure you remain at the forefront of the interviewer's mind, it's best to send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. If the interview takes place on a Friday, you can send the email on Friday afternoon or wait until Monday morning. However, it's generally best to avoid sending formal emails over the weekend.
Don’t have everyone’s email addresses?
You can send a single email to the person whose contact information you have and request that they either forward your thank-you message to the other interviewers or provide you with the email addresses of the remaining recruiters so that you can contact them directly.
Video Guide To Following Up: After Job Application and Interview
Good luck!
