In today's digital world, it's common practice for anyone in the job-hunting process to send a post-interview thank-you email. But what should you say in that email? How can you make sure your message stands out? These are common questions our executive search team receives so we wanted to help. Check out our examples and templates to send after a job interview.
Should You Send a Thank You Email After an Interview?
Whether or not to send a thank you email after a job interview is a common question among job seekers. The short answer is yes, you should always send a thank you email after an interview. This simple act of courtesy can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your interest in the role. A thank you email also gives you an opportunity to reiterate your qualifications and highlight why you would be the best fit for the position. For these reasons, it is always best to err on the side of sending a thank you email after an interview.
Who Should You Send a Thank You Email to After an Interview?
A personalized thank you email or thank you note is an effective way to express your gratitude and convey your interest in the role. You should write a thank you email to each person who was involved in the job interview process even if multiple interviewers, including the hiring manager, any team members who interviewed you, and anyone else who contributed to reviewing your application or providing feedback.
If possible, try to personalize your thank you message for each recipient, referring specifically to some of the conversations that you had during your phone interview and mentioning any specific skills or attributes that may be relevant for the particular role.
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What to include in a thank-you email during a job search
When you are preparing to apply for a new job, it is crucial that you take the time to follow up after each interview with a thank you email, note, or letter. This allows you to reiterate your interest in the position and thank your interviewer for their time.
In your thank you message, it is important to include some key elements. First, be sure to use the subject line to your benefit including Thank You as well as the job title and your first name and last name.
Second, include a personalized greeting, and be sure to thank the interviewer again for taking the time to speak with you. Next, mention any topics that were discussed during the interview and highlight how your qualifications and experience make you well suited for the position.
Finally, express your continued enthusiasm for the job opportunity and reaffirm your commitment to following up on any next steps in the hiring process.
By including these important pieces in your thank you note, you can ensure that you leave a strong impression on the hiring manager and increase your chances of getting hired for this position. So be sure to take the time to send out a thoughtful thank you message after each interview as part of an effective job search strategy.
What to avoid in a thank you after an interview
After a job interview, it is always a good idea to send a thank-you email to the interviewer. However, there are certain things that you should avoid putting in a thank you email.
Don't Be a Pest to Your Interviewers
A thank-you email and a follow-up a week later are more than enough efforts in and of themselves. You won't be self-promoting any further; rather, you'll be stressing them out. Keep in mind that your aim is not only to show the hiring supervisors that you're competent but also to persuade them that you'd be a great person on the team.
Don't Send Anything That Reflects Poorly on You
Personal social media accounts including unprofessional photographs or conduct are included in this list. When determining this, err on the side of caution. Don't use internet jargon, as it'll come across as insincere. Also, don't send memes or write in too casual of a tone either.
Overwriting is Not Suggested
Keep your email to a minimum, and keep it focused. The interviewer will not want to read through a lengthy thank-you note. Focus on expressing your gratitude and reiterating your interest in the position.
Don't Send Grammatically Incorrect Emails and Watch your Spelling
Before you hit "send," get another set of eyes on your work. Anyone can make a mistake so improve your chances by having someone step in as an editor.
Four templates/sample thank you emails
When it comes to job interviews, there are a few things you can do to make sure you make the best impression possible. Sending a thank you email is one of them! That's why we wanted to provide sample thank you email templates for an interview thank you email that you can use as a guide.
Email Template 1:
Hi [Interviewer's Name],
It was a pleasure to meet you, and I appreciate your taking the time to talk with me today. I had a fantastic time chatting with you, especially [something significant discussed].
I'm thrilled about this chance, and I'll be keeping an eye out for the next steps. If you need anything further from me, please don't hesitate to ask!
Have a wonderful week,
[Your First and Last Name]
Email Template 2:
Hello [Interviewer's Name],
Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with me [today/yesterday]. I had a good time talking about [specific topic you discussed] and learning more about the overall [Job Title] position.
It appears to be a fantastic opportunity and a position in which I might succeed and excel. I'm looking forward to hearing anything new you can share, and don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns until then.
Best regards,
[Your First and Last Name]
Email Template 3:
Hello [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] yesterday. It was great to talk with you, and I liked hearing more about the opportunity.
You indicated that [Something specific about the position that piques your interest], which sounded intriguing.
I'm certain that my talents will allow me to succeed in this position, and I'd be delighted to take this role.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the next steps, and don't hesitate to contact me if you require further information at this time.
Thank you very much.
[Your First and Last Name]
Email Template 4:
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I enjoyed the conversation with you earlier today about the [position name] job at [company]. The company and position appear to be a great fit for my talents and interests.
[Something specific you learned/liked about the role and manager] that you described confirmed my desire to work with you.
In addition to my [your superpower quality], I will bring to the position [2 other qualities you should/want to reinforce].
Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I am very enthusiastic about working for you, and I look forward to hearing from you regarding this position.
Sincerely,
[Your First and Last Name]
Example of templates for thank you emails filled in after an interview.
Interview Thank You Email Example: Template 1 [Filled In]
Hi Susan,
It was a pleasure to meet you, and I appreciate your taking the time to talk with me today. I had a fantastic time chatting with you, especially about your upcoming ERP implementation.
I'm thrilled about this chance, and I'll be keeping an eye out for the next steps. If you need anything further from me, please don't hesitate to ask!
Have a wonderful week,
Brian Debits
Interview Thank You Email Example: Template 2 [Filled In]
Hello Susan,
Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with me on Tuesday. I had a good time talking about implementing accrual accounting and learning more about the overall Controller position.
It appears to be a fantastic opportunity and a position in which I might succeed and excel. I'm looking forward to hearing anything new you can share, and don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns until then.
Best regards,
Brian Debits
Interview Thank You Email Example: Template 3 [Filled In]
Hello Susan,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the Controller position at Space Jam Manufacturing yesterday. It was great to talk with you, and I liked hearing more about the opportunity.
You indicated that there is a big need to decrease AR aging which sounded intriguing to me given my previous accomplishments in this.
I'm certain that my talents will allow me to succeed in this position, and I'd be delighted to take this role.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the next steps, and don't hesitate to contact me if you require further information at this time.
Thank you very much.
Brian Debits
Interview Thank You Email Example: Template 4 [Filled In]
Dear Susan,
I enjoyed the conversation with you earlier today about the Controller position at Netsweet Construction. The company and position appear to be a great fit for my talents and interests.
I was excited to hear about how your past experience implementing new accounting systems as a Controller propelled your career into becoming a growth CFO that you described confirmed my desire to work with you.
In addition to my ability to think like an analyst, I will bring to the position my ability to motivate others and a history of implementing several ERPs on time and on budget.
Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I am very enthusiastic about working for you, and I look forward to hearing from you regarding this position.
Sincerely,
Brian Debits
How Long Should My Thank You Email Be After an Interview?
While a thank you email after a big interview may seem like a small gesture, it is actually a very important step in the hiring process. A thank you email shows that you are professional and courteous, and it gives you one last opportunity to sell yourself as a candidate.
So how long should your thank you email be? Shorter is better. The thank-you email should be concise and to the point, with a thank you at the beginning and a brief paragraph discussing your qualifications at the end. We suggest between 50 and 150 words.
Anything longer runs the risk of seeming overly familiar or unprofessional. So keep it short, sweet, and to the point, and you'll make the best impression possible.
When to send your thank you email to the hiring manager during the hiring process
A thank you email is a nice gesture that can help you stand out from the other candidates. It's important to send your thank you email as soon after the first interview as possible, preferably within 24-48 hours. Sending a thank you email is a small but important step in the hiring process, so be sure to do it promptly and professionally.
Do You Send a Thank You Email After Every Interview during the interview process?
It is always a good idea to send a thank you email after each and every interview during the entire interview process. By doing this, you will show your appreciation for the interviewers' time, and you will also remind them of who you are and why you are the best candidate for the job.
In addition, thank you emails can help to build and maintain relationships with potential employers. Therefore, if you want to improve your chances of landing the job, be sure to send thank you emails after every interview.
What about a handwritten interview thank you note or thank you letter?
While many job applicants today opt for thank you emails when expressing their gratitude to an employer after a job interview, there may be good reasons to consider sending a handwritten thank you note instead. For one, a handwritten interview thank-you note or thank you letter may show your interviewer that you are thoughtful and detail-oriented, as it demonstrates that you took the time and care to put your thoughts down on paper. Similarly, it can also allow you to share more nuanced or personal thoughts that might not fit well in an email.
Overall, if you write a thank you note, it can help enhance your overall impression as a candidate and demonstrate your dedication and professionalism with a prospective employer. As such, a handwritten note is definitely something worth considering for those looking to make a good impression after an in-person interview.
We suggest this only after in-person interviews if the interview team is working out of an office and distance is not a factor to ensure it is delivered timely. In most cases, a thank you email works just fine.
Conclusion on Thank You Emails
After the interview, it's important to follow up with a thank-you email. This is your opportunity to stand out from the other candidates and show that you're interested in the position. The hiring manager will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and it may be the deciding factor in whether or not you get the job.
Our four interview thank you email templates will make writing this type of email easier for you. Just fill in the blanks and hit send! If you're still unsure about when and how to send a thank you email after an interview, our team is here to help.