You've just finished your interview and want to send a thank you email to the recruiter or hiring manager. You want to make sure they remember you, so it's important you choose the right words to use in your email. A generic, template-like, email will not get you the results you want. I'm going to show you how to write the best thank you email after an interview that will improve your chances of getting your next job.
Write your thank you email after an interview immediately
Write your thank you email immediately after an interview, while you are still fresh on their minds. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that they will forget who you are and what your strengths are. It can be difficult to remember what exactly you wanted to say, so do not wait until later in the day or even the next day. This also shows that you are prompt and organized — two qualities that employers look for when hiring new employees.
Make sure the interviewer remembers you
The first thing you should do is address them by name. If they shared their name during the interview, mention it in your first sentence — "Dear Jane" or "Dear Dr. Smith" — so they remember who you are.
If possible, include a sentence about something specific that stands out about your conversation or meeting — something that will help them remember who you are, such as: "I enjoyed our discussion about XYZ."
Keep your thank you email short and sharp
The last thing you want is for your interviewer to open up your email and see something that goes on for paragraphs. Keep it short and sweet, thanking them again for their time, mentioning something specific they said that was memorable or helpful, and letting them know why you're excited about the opportunity.
Be personable and professional in your message, add a personal touch
Add a personal touch by mentioning something specific about your conversation (for example, "Your company's commitment to diversity really inspired me," or "I really enjoyed learning more about your recent growth"). This will show that you took note of what they said during the interview, which indicates that they'll remember talking with you.
Customize for each interviewer
Thank each interviewer individually for taking time out of their day to talk with you. Thank them for their time, and let them know that you appreciate their consideration. If you met more than one person during your interview, make sure to address each person by name in your closing paragraph.
Include any missed details or questions from the interview in the email
If there were any questions that weren't answered adequately during your interview, now is a good time to address those so that they can be crossed off their list before making a final decision on who will receive an offer letter (if they haven't already). If there was something you wanted to ask but didn’t get a chance to during your meeting, include it in your thank you note. Reiterate your interest in the job. Even if you think it’s obvious, explain how much you want this position and why this company is a good fit for you and your skillset.
Don't apologize for being nervous or anything else that happened during the interview
People understand that interviews can be stressful, and they don't expect you to flawlessly perform on command. If there was something you did wrong, or anything else that went wrong during the interview, don't bring it up here — just move on from it in your thank-you note. It will only make you look unconfident and unprepared for this job if it happens again in the future.
Check your spelling and grammar
You don't need to be perfect (nobody is), but make sure that your emails are free from spelling errors, typos and grammatical mistakes. Remember: The more formal the position, the more formal your email should be — even if it's just using proper capitalization and punctuation.
Send a follow-up email if you haven’t heard back after a week
If it’s been a week since your interview and you haven’t heard anything, it’s time to reach out again. This shows that you’re proactive and eager for a position at the company. Don’t be pushy — just send another email checking in and asking if there was anything specific they wanted to know that you didn’t cover during the interview. The worst thing that can happen is they say no, but at least then you know where things stand with the job opportunity.
If you want an edge when it comes to getting the job you want, a good thank you note is just what you need. As long as they are well written, employers will notice your effort and courtesy; this will separate you from other candidates and make you look like a potential good fit for the position, which is always a plus.
