Writing an Effective Post-Interview Thank-You Email

Writing an effective post-interview thank-you email is one of the most important things you must do to elevate yourself as a serious candidate. Many recruiters and hiring managers find the thank-you email to be critical — how soon you send it, and how spot-on it is, will likely impact their overall impression of you. 

Not sending one is a major red flag, and you will, most likely, be kissing the opportunity goodbye. Always confirm the email address of the person who has interviewed you because you’ll need it! Let’s go over some key things to keep top of mind when it comes to drafting your thank-you note.

Within 24 hours following your interview, whether it is virtual or in-person, be sure to send a great thank-you note to the person who you met, and if you met more than one person, send a unique note to each individual. It’s even better to send it the same day, if possible, to ensure the details of your discussion aren’t lost.

Sending it too quickly, though, leaves you open to errors and may look like you didn’t give thought to your message. Give it a few hours before sending. Remember that most interviewers will share your note among themselves as part of the review process, so don’t copy and paste the same letter to each person. 

Your thank-you email should not be longer than three paragraphs. Hit the key points, but be professional, concise and respectful of their time. Start your thank-you email by — you guessed it — saying thank-you! Show gratitude to the person who carved out time to have a conversation with you about the job opportunity, and express your pleasure in having learned more about the organization, the team and the role. Do you think you’d be a great fit for the role, and did this interview confirm that belief? Be sure to tell them that, and explain why!

Next, it is helpful to make mention of a part of the conversation that stood out to you most of all. Think about it. What did the interviewer say to you that excited you or intrigued you? Referencing something that you talked about previously can show how engaged you were during the meeting. This may also give you the chance to briefly highlight a specific point of your expertise that aligns with the job and what was discussed. How can you add value to the team and their current initiatives? Detail it!

Final considerations

In closing, you should reiterate your interest in the position and stress that you are looking forward to next steps. Also, mention that you would be happy to provide any additional information that may be needed to aid in the decision-making process.

If your résumé has changed at all since you initially applied, then attach the latest version to your email, too. Include links to any work samples that might be relevant to share (or were requested). Sign the email with your full name, and include your contact information (phone number, email address, link to your LinkedIn profile) in the signature. Being very easily accessible is imperative!

Whatever you do, don’t skip the thank-you email at any point of the interview process. Every conversation you have is vital and worth follow-up, even if you have already spoken with several other people on the team. Your energy and interest should be easily perceived, without being forceful.

Lastly, be sure to thank the person who scheduled the interview for you, and if you’re working with a recruiter or talent acquisition person, then give them your feedback and appreciation too. 

First impressions matter and so do final impressions! Check for spelling and grammatical errors before you click send. Good luck with your thank-you emails!