06/11/2022 | News release | Archived content
Most job seekers put a lot of effort into crafting a resume and preparing for an interview. Here's what many people don't spend much time on but should: thank-you emails after interviews.
It's surprising how many job candidates don't bother to send a thank-you note, because it really does make a positive impression on employers. It's a simple step to take, and it can separate you from equally qualified candidates who don't send a email after an interview. And yes, you should send a message after a video interview just as you would an in-person meeting.
If the challenge of crafting a great thank-you email is holding you back from sending one, you've come to the right place.
What to include in a thank-you email after an interview
Here are the basic points you should include in just about any thank-you note you send after an interview, and a few optional ideas:
Templates for a post-interview thank you
The type of followup email you write will depend on what kind of company you interviewed with. This first template for a thank-you email is short and to the point, but it gets the job done.
Hi [person's name],
It was such a pleasure to meet you today to discuss [role you applied for] at [company name]. The position sounds like exactly the type of job I'm looking for, and I believe my experience in/with [accounts receivable/Java programming/managing a team] would help me thrive in the position.
If there are any additional questions I can answer, please let me know. Thanks again for meeting with me to speak about this exciting opportunity.
Best regards,
[your name]
If you want to distinguish yourself a little more in your followup email after an interview, you might try something like this:
Hello [person's name],
Thank you so much for meeting with me [insert day] and discussing the exciting job opportunity at [company name].
I'm very interested in the position and believe my [two/five/ten] years' experience [writing marketing copy/managing a sales team/designing websites] would be valuable as your company [is rebranding/courting new customers].
You mentioned that your team is in the middle of an [expansion/migration to the cloud], and I wanted to offer you a few ideas I think would help [briefly talk about your ideas].
You'll find some links to my [rebranding work/website redesign] at the bottom of this email.
I look forward to hearing from you about next steps in the interview process and would be happy to answer any other questions you have about my fit for this position.
Best regards,
[your name]
The two examples above would likely work well for many companies. But if you are applying for a job in a more buttoned-up industry, you might want a slightly different tone.
Dear [insert name],
Thank you for connecting with me today to discuss the job opportunity at [insert company name].
I am very interested in the role and believe my skills would be an excellent match for the position as you described it. With more than [three/seven/15] years of [management/financial accounting/investment banking] experience, I could immediately begin to contribute to your firm as it [transitions/expands/seeks new clients].
On a personal note, I really enjoyed talking to you about [our alma mater/love of basketball/interest in cooking].
I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please don't hesitate to ask if there are any other questions I can answer about my work experience and how I might contribute to your company.
Best regards,
[your name]
Final considerations for followup email after interview
You can also mix and match parts of the sample messages to create a unique thank-you email. There are a few other related things to think about, however, such as these:
A closing thought on followup emails: Make sure you sound genuine in your note. Consider what you might say if you were expressing your appreciation in person to make the email a little more personal. Even a formal thank-you email after an interview should sound like it's from a real person, not a template. Good luck!