How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview: Tips, Examples

Updated 6/20/2024

One of the best ways to stand out and show your interest in a job is by sending a thank you email or a thank you note after an interview. But writing this kind of follow up is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Let’s explore how to write the perfect thank you email after ending an interview—plus look at a few examples!

Are Thank You Notes Still Expected as Part of the Interview Process?

Chances are, if you’ve been interviewing for a job, you’ve been told that it’s best practice to send a thank you note after an interview. Is that still true?

Although thank you notes (or emails) aren’t essential after an interview, they can help candidates leave a positive impression. Sending one can show you are excited about the opportunity—and bring a personal touch to the interview process. They can also help to top candidates stand out from other applicants.

A follow-up note is also an ideal opportunity to remind hiring managers of the positive aspects of their interview and keep communications open for the future.

Are Interview Thank You Notes Required?

Although standard thank you notes have evolved from physical cards to emails, they can still be a nice way for candidates to stand out and say thanks to their interviewer—and reiterate your skills and your interest in the role.

Saying thank you is good manners, but it’s not as important as a candidate’s expertise. Although not sending a thank you note shouldn’t disqualify an accomplished candidate from a role, it can be a positive addition to strong applications. Understanding expectations when it comes to thank you notes can help both hiring managers and candidates navigate the hiring process successfully.

If you’re really interested in a position, putting in the extra effort might just increase the chances of getting the hiring manager’s attention. By taking just a few minutes to send a thank you email, a candidate can build a positive connection with the interviewer and demonstrate business etiquette, communications skills, and professionalism.

Why You Should Write a Thank-You Email After an Interview

You should always consider writing a thank-you email after a job interview. In fact, a post-interview thank-you email is almost as important as the interview itself. A thank-you email or note:

Shows your appreciation
Can help you stand out from other candidates
Demonstrates your interest in a position
Fosters a more positive hiring process
Opens the door for more communication between you and the hiring manager
And it’s just the polite thing to do!

Need more convincing? Here’s a bit more detail on the benefits of writing a post-interview thank you note.

It Shows You’re Grateful

Sure, saying “thank you for taking the time to speak with me” is a good gesture to wrap up the interview, but sending a simple thank you letter via email or snail mail after the interview shows that you really do appreciate their time. Showing gratitude is timeless.

It Helps You Be Remembered

It’s easy to get overlooked when there are many qualified applicants. How do you stand out amongst the crowd?

You guessed it: a thank you note!

Sara Swanson, Employer Brand Manager, shares how this makes a difference. “I interviewed a college student on campus, and she gave me a thank you note immediately after the interview, which I loved, but It also included a pack of instant coffee that said enjoy a cup on me. I will never forget that. It’s the small details like that will have a lasting impression on your interviewer.”

It Shows Your Level Of Interest

Employers want to hire someone who is excited about working for them. When you go above and beyond, it confirms that you want the job.

It Can Grow Your Personal Connections

A thank-you letter can help grow your relationships. According to Mallory Church, an Insight Global Sales Manager, “When I receive a letter after the interview it shows me their initiative, character and ability to connect with me not only professionally, but personally as well.”

How to Write a Thank-You Email After an Interview

A good post-interview thank you note is direct, succinct, and appreciative. The main goal is for the candidate to thank the interviewer for their time and express their interest in the role. It can also reference a few highlights from the interview to make the note more memorable. You might be writing more than one of these emails, so we’ve put together a simple formula to follow each time.

Let’s start with a few general tips for writing a thank you note after an interview:

Send the Message Promptly: The hiring process can move quickly, so send your email quickly, too. Ideally, you should send it on the same day. By sending the email when the interview is still fresh in the hiring manager’s mind, you can leave a great impression.

Contact the Hiring Manager Directly: When possible, send an email directly to the interviewer. If you coordinated the interview through a recruiter, check with them about following up with the hiring manager directly—or ask them to pass the message along. If the hiring manager or HR leader gave you a business card at the interview or it’s on the calendar invite, you probably have their email at your fingertips.

Personalize the Message: After thanking the interviewer for their time, find a way to customize the note to you, the company, and the role. Share what interested you most about the position or mention an aspect of the interview that you particularly connected on. This can differentiate you from other candidates and strengthen your professional connection with the hiring manager. Even if you don’t get the job, a thoughtful message can leave a positive impression for future opportunities.

Should you use AI to write a thank you email after interview?

Look, artificial intelligence can be a time saver and chore minimizer in many ways And the goal here is to show genuine appreciation and build connection with the people you are interviewing with. But, if you are applying for several jobs, it can take time to craft a perfectly worded thank you after each interview.

If you do choose to use a tool to write your thank you note draft, take time to:

Read the draft carefully for any typos or other errors
Personalize your note with specifics from the conversation or the job description
Keep it short and to the point
Be positive and professional

What do you say in a thank you email after an interview?

Subject Line

Your thank you email should stand out in your interviewer’s inbox. For a more formal approach, try something like, “Thank You for the Opportunity Today” or “Thank You for Your Time” to lead off your message. Both of these convey your appreciation without being to over the top with a more formal company.

But if you want to be a little more informal or casual (depending on the industry), you have a little more freedom with the subject line. You can try something along the lines of “Great to Meet You Today” or “Excited for the Opportunity” that shows your enthusiasm.

Personalized Opening

Greet the recipient with something like, “Hi [Name]” or “Dear [Name]” before jumping into the body of your email.

Also, check if you spelled their name correctly. It might sound obvious, but names are important. Misspelling your interviewer’s name could make you look unprofessional or uninterested in their time—or that you lack attention to detail. Double check their email signature or LinkedIn profile to ensure you got it right.

Express Your Gratitude (Again)

This section doesn’t need to be too long. One or two short sentences are usually enough to convey your feelings. Try something like, “I truly enjoyed our conversation” or “I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me today”.

Remember, your interviewer is probably meeting with multiple candidates. Take time to show you’re appreciative of being considered for the position and taking part in the interview process.

Reiterate Your Qualifications

Once you’ve expressed your appreciation for their time and being considered for the role, your can move on to discussing your qualifications. Again, this section can be a sentence or two. Are you skilled in a particular software, tool, or something along those lines? If so, mention it!

Here’s an example: “I believe my decade of extensive experience in back-end development would be a valuable asset to your team based on what you told me about your upcoming plans and projects.”

You can also choose to talk about their culture or something that resonated with you in this section. Was there a memorable moment in the interview when you felt that you were a great fit for the team? Or did you mention a particular professional book you’ve been reading or industry podcast you follow? Share a link and showcase your connection to them and to what you do.

You’re trying to position yourself as the best candidate for the role, so it can be helpful to show the interviewer something that other candidates may not be able to provide.

Encourage the Next Steps

Tell them that you’re looking forward to next steps or share the portfolio or samples you promised to. Include links to your website and other pertinent attachments in this section. Or provide any other relevant information you feel could help. You can also ask your interviewer or hiring manager if they can let you know the next steps in the hiring process.

Have a Professional Closing

Be brief and polite as you close your email. You’ve already offered to send along any additional information, and a question about next steps should prompt a response.

Even if you’ve been casual or friendly in your email, sign off professionally with “Sincerely, [Your Name] or “Thank you again, [Your Name]”.

“Thank You” Email Examples

Let’s review some sample emails you can use for your post-interview thank you. Use these as inspiration, but be sure to tailor them to your own experience, skills, and goals.

Short, Simple, and Professional

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the News Writer position with [Company Name]. Having been an investigative news journalist for the last ten years, I think [Company Name]’s approach to covering developing stories is incredibly interesting, and I’d love to be a part of that process. I’ve attached a few more samples of my past investigative work to this email for your reference.

I look forward to chatting again soon. If there is anything else I can submit before taking the next steps, please let me know.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Detailed

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you again for interviewing me for the News Writer position with [Company Name]. As a regular reader of [Company Name] for the last many years, it was truly a pleasure to learn more about your process.

I really enjoyed our discussion of how your team works together to ensure that every piece of news is reported accurately, with as much detail as possible. I have attached an article I wrote with my team while I was working with [Past Company Name] that showcases my commitment to the same standards.

Expanding your reader demographic is something I know I can bring to your organization. Integrating SEO strategy with online reporting is a great way to start, and utilizing social media is key. I’m positive that my experience can support your organizational goals.

If you need any other additional information from me, please get in touch. I look forward to hearing back from you with the next steps!

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Informal

Hi [Interviewer’s Name]

Thanks again for meeting with me today! I really enjoyed getting to know you and more about [Company Name]. I’m very interested in working with you and your team. I think your goals of expanding your readership through social media marketing are fantastic, and I know I can lend my expertise in this area to help you. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can send along, and I’ll do that right away. Looking forward to hearing about the next steps.

Have a great day and stay warm in these cold winter months ahead!

Best,

[Your Name]

Thank You Emails Do Matter

Thank you notes complement the rest of a candidate’s application, but they don’t always indicate a candidate’s aptitude for success. Assessing candidates holistically by considering all aspects of their application and interview can help you find the best possible match for each role and your company culture.

Sending a thank-you email after an interview is one the most important aspects of the interview process. By getting it right, you’re affirming to your interviewer that you’re interested in the position and appreciate their time, which will increase your chances of getting the job.

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