Why You Should Send An Interview Follow-up Email
Chances are you’re not the only person they interviewed for the position. Sending a follow-up email after your job interview can help you stand out in the interviewer’s mind. Plus, it shows that you’re thoughtful, professional, and eager—and that could spell the difference between getting hired or getting rejected.
How To Write An Interview Thank You Email
Step 1: Thank The Interviewer For Their Time
This part is pretty simple. Just tell the interview how much you appreciate them taking the time to talk to you or for taking your call (if it’s a phone interview). You can also mention how much you enjoyed talking to them and learning more about the position.
Step 2: Write About Something That Came Up In The Interview
This shows that you’re not just copy-pasting a generic thank you to all your interviewers. Talk about the interview itself—how exciting the position sounds, the things that really stood out to you about the company, and the responsibilities you look forward to in the role.
Step 3: Reiterate Your Qualifications
Yes, you have to sell yourself at every opportunity. But the important thing here is to not overdo it. It has to feel as natural as possible. Remind them of your experience or what makes you a good fit for the position without coming off as too self-aggrandizing.
Step 4: Open Up The Communication
Lastly, you need to end with a bang. Close your email with some excitement and enthusiasm regarding the position. Then, open up the possibility of further contact. Invite them to email you if they need anything else.
Post-Interview Email Sample Template
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me [today, yesterday, last week, etc.]. I was excited to hear about the opening for [Job Position] and how I can help [Company Name] achieve [specific goals or objectives mentioned in the interview].
Beyond that, I must say that [Company Name] sounds like an incredible place to work—especially with the [things/values you like about the work environment/company].
I’m looking forward to working with you and the rest of the team to [goal or objective mentioned in the interview]. Feel free to contact me if you need anything else to move the process forward.
Regards,
[Your Name]
Tips For A Better Thank You Message
- Timing is everything. You don’t want to send your email too late, when a hiring decision may have already been made. Send your thank you email within 24 hours from the interview.
- Email is faster and more than accepted in the digital age, but sometimes handwritten letters may be preferred. If you send a letter, don’t send an email—that’s overdoing it.
- Do not send the same message to every interviewer, especially if multiple people at the same company interviewed you. Take your time to personalize each message.
- Keep your thank you email short. 2-3 paragraphs should be more than enough to get your message across.
- Give your email a thorough once-over before hitting send. This will help you catch typos or grammatical errors.
- Do not pester the interviewer for a reply. Sending one email a day after the interview is thoughtful, sending multiple emails every day is a nuisance.
A Thank You Email Could Be A Make Or Break
Sending a thank you email after your interview won’t salvage an otherwise terrible interview. But if the decision is between you and another candidate, a well-written note can make or break your chances. Take 10 minutes of your time to write out a thoughtful thank you email, and you could be one step closer to landing the job you want.