)
You have just had a great job interview. You are feeling confident, but you are curious about what happens next. You might be wondering whether you will get a second interview or be offered the role.
Instead of stressing about the outcome of your job search, make sure you send a thank you email after the interview. It might feel like you just need to sit back and wait to hear from someone, but taking action can set you apart.
As soon as you finish your interview, there are simple steps you can take to increase your chances of getting hired.
This guide will look at why sending an interview thank you note is essential and how to write one effectively. We will also share some thank you after interview email examples to inspire you, along with a sample thank you email after interview template.
Do you always have to send a thank you note after an interview?
It is not a strict requirement to send a thank you letter email after an interview, but there is no good reason to skip it. It is one of the best ways of following up to keep your name fresh in the minds of hiring managers. It is not mandatory, but you should do it for the best chance of securing the job.
Many parts of the hiring process have changed over the years. You might have an interview over video or the phone rather than in person. Things have evolved, but what has not changed is the value of writing a thank you note. It shows appreciation for the meeting and can be done quickly via email.
Why an effective thank you email after interview is important
Sending a digital note has several advantages over a traditional handwritten letter.
You get to remind the employer about your skills, education, and experience. You can also share your relevant social media profiles, link to a portfolio, or attach a copy of your cover letter.
In addition, it gives you the chance to bring up any additional information that was not covered in the meeting. This is a great way to mention something important that you forgot or did not have time to discuss.
Pro tip
After your meeting, you can use your notes to reflect on the experience. During this post interview review, a crucial question may come to mind. These questions can be placed in your email or saved for a second round.
How to write a perfect post interview thank you email
When you are wondering about the best thank you email format after interview, a few pointers can help. The message should be professional and show how much you want the position.
Use the eight tips below to make sure your email gets noticed by the right people.
1. Keep it professional
You do not want to make a mistake in your follow-up communication. Whether you had an in-person, phone, or video meeting, you are competing against other candidates. This means you should keep your tone highly professional. Read over the email before you send it to ensure it sounds polite and respectful.
2. Choose a simple subject line
You need to be sure your email is opened and read. You can add the company name, the job title, your name, and the words "thank you" in the subject line to clarify what the message is about. A clear after interview thank you email subject line makes it highly likely that the hiring manager will read it.
Examples of subject lines
3. Express appreciation for the time to meet
Now that you know more about the company culture, make sure to show appreciation for the opportunity. Thank the interviewer for their time to meet with you. Being sincere about your gratitude promotes your candidacy by showing you value their schedule.
4. Address issues in the interview phase
The hiring process can be challenging. If you need to clarify a complicated point, do so now. Maybe you wish you had asked a specific question or explained a previous role better. Being open shows you are willing to communicate effectively.
5. Express your interest in the position
You want to ensure the prospective employer knows you still want the job. Reinforce that desire in the email. Talk about your interest, the qualifications you hold, and how you would contribute to the team.
6. Mention a specific point from the conversation
Personalise the email by speaking about a skill, project, or challenge that the hiring manager cares about. Choose something that highlights one of your strongest abilities and explains why it makes you an excellent fit for the organisation.
If the hiring manager mentioned the importance of teamwork during the interview, you could write about a successful group project you led, showcasing your collaboration and leadership skills.
For example, "During the interview, you mentioned the company's focus on teamwork. At my previous job, I led a cross-functional group project that improved operational efficiency by 15%, demonstrating my ability to work collaboratively towards shared goals."
If a specific tool or software was discussed, highlight your proficiency with it.
For instance, "I recall from our conversation that proficiency in Salesforce is critical for success in this role. Having utilised Salesforce extensively in my previous role to streamline client interactions, I am confident in my ability to bring similar efficiencies to your team."
If the role involves problem-solving and the interview touched on challenges the company is facing, use an example that addresses this.
For example, "You mentioned the need for innovative solutions to improve customer retention. At my last job, I designed a client outreach program that increased retention by 20%, an approach I believe could be adapted to benefit your team."
7. Ask about further questions
Interviewers sometimes forget to ask a question in the moment. Open the line of communication by asking if they need anything else from you. This shows you are attentive, professional, and willing to provide more details.
For example, you could write:
"Please let me know if there are any other questions I can answer."
"I am happy to provide any additional information you may need."
"Feel free to reach out if you need more details about my experience."
8. Proofread before sending
Typos and bad grammar can happen, but you should avoid them at all costs. Run a spellcheck and grammar check before you send the email. Ensure your text is polished before it lands in the employer's inbox.
Thank you after interview email examples
Now that you have some tips, we want to share four great examples. You can use these to help you craft your own message. These work well for in-person meetings, as well as a thank you email after a phone or video interview.
Sample one: short thank you email after interview
Subject line: James Marsden – Thank you for the sales assistant interview
Hello Sarah,
Thank you for making time to speak with me yesterday morning. I enjoyed our conversation about the Sales Assistant position, and I appreciated learning more about how the role works with the wider team at ABC Company.
The role sounds rewarding, especially with the opportunities for career progression. I believe my Master's degree in business makes me an exceptional choice for the position.
I look forward to hearing back from you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions or need to speak with my references.
Kind regards,
James Marsden
07700 900077
Sample two: formal thank you email
Subject line: Chloe Everett – Registered Nurse position at City Hospital
Dear Dr Benson,
Thank you for making time to speak with me about the Registered Nurse position yesterday afternoon. It was inspiring to have an insightful conversation about patient care, and I was honoured to hear your thoughts on the hospital's core values.
The details you provided about this position convinced me that this role is an ideal match for my qualifications. I believe my nursing degree from the University of Manchester and my seven years of ward experience would make me a valuable contributor to your team.
Please feel free to contact me with any other information you might need. Thank you again.
Warm regards,
Chloe Everett
07700 900123
Sample three: detailed thank you email
Subject line: Erik Stiles – Senior Editor position
Hello Michael,
Thank you for speaking with me this morning about the Senior Editor position. I appreciated getting to know more about the daily responsibilities. The way the editorial and marketing teams collaborate sounds excellent for reaching your targets.
The position sounds like an enriching role. I believe my degree in English from the University of Leeds, along with my ten years of experience in publishing, makes me an excellent candidate for the job.
I am looking forward to speaking about the opportunity with you again. Please do not hesitate to reach out to arrange a follow-up call.
Kind regards,
Erik Stiles
07700 900456
Sample four: quick thank you email after interview
Subject line: Liam Harrison – Thanks for the interview
Hello David,
Thank you for taking time out of your day to talk with me yesterday. Our conversation about the software developer position was inspiring, and it was great to learn more about the project pipeline.
This job sounds exciting, and I think my technical background makes me an ideal candidate to help the team succeed.
Please reach out to me if you would like to discuss this further. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Liam Harrison
07700 900888
Sample thank you email after interview template
If you want a framework to start from, email templates can make the process much easier. You can use this simple template to create a personalised message. Simply fill in your details and send it.
Hello [Interviewer's Name],
It was great to meet with you [today/yesterday] to discuss the [role you applied for] at [company name]. The position sounds perfect for me, and I believe my experience in [key skill] would make me a strong candidate for the job. In addition, my background in [relevant area] offers insights that would help me thrive in this environment.
If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you for meeting with me about this exciting opportunity.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
[Your email address]
[Your phone number]
Key takeaways
Sending a follow-up email is a polite and professional way to keep your name fresh in the minds of hiring managers.
Keep your message concise, clear, and free of errors.
Use the email to reiterate your interest in the role, mention your key skills, and provide any extra details you forgot to share.
Send your email within one to two days of the meeting.
Next steps?
Once you have sent your email, the best thing to do is be patient. Respect the hiring timeline that the employer outlined during your meeting. While you wait, you can continue to browse job boards, update your CV, and prepare for potential second-round interviews.
FAQs
When is the best time to send a post interview email?
It is best to send your message within one to two days of your meeting. This shows promptness and keeps you fresh in the employer's mind without seeming overly eager.
What should I put in the subject line?
Your subject line should be clear and direct. Include your name, the job title, and a brief note of thanks so the recipient knows exactly what the email is about.
What if I forgot to ask a question during the interview?
A follow-up email is the perfect place to ask a brief, relevant question that you missed during the meeting. Just ensure it is professional and directly related to the role or company.
Is it acceptable to use email templates for my response?
Yes, using a template is a great starting point. However, you should always customise it to mention specific details from your conversation to show genuine interest.
How do I close the email professionally?
End your email with a polite sign-off such as "Kind regards" or "Best wishes". Let them know they can reach you if they need anything by saying "please do not hesitate to contact me".