When you're interviewed for a job that you really want, it's super important to follow up promptly by sending a thank you email to the person who interviewed you. Doing so can help you stand out from other candidates, and help convince the interviewer that you're truly excited about the opportunity. Review the sample messages and expert tips below for inspiration. That way, you'll be prepared to properly follow up after your next job interview.
Sample Thank You Emails by Interview Type
Job interview thank you emails should not sound like form letters. They should be specific to the exchange that took place between you and the recruiter. Lisa Hylton Costa, a recruiting and onboarding specialist with experience hiring employees to work in manufacturing, healthcare, tech, and banking operations recommends, "Send a really good, thoughtful email immediately after the interview." She advises, "The key is to really put some thought into the content. Reference some of what was talked about in the interview and restate your interest."
Thank You Email After a Zoom Interview
If you met with the interviewer by Zoom, be sure to reference that in your follow-up email. If they used a different teleconferencing application, make sure you use the correct name. If you're not sure what system they used, simply refer to connecting with the interviewer 'virtually" or "via teleconference." Using general terminology is better than making a mistake, as the interviewer may make a negative assumption about your attention to detail.
| Subject Line: Thank you for your time Dear [insert name]: It was great to speak with you via Zoom this afternoon. Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me for the [insert job title] position with your company. Now that I know more about [insert company name] and this job in particular, I am convinced that this role is exactly what I am looking for. I hope that I did as good a job conveying why I am a great fit for this job as you did explaining what is involved with the position. I really appreciate [include a statement of appreciation for something the recruiter explained or shared in the interview, followed by an explanation of why you found it to be beneficial]. Thank you again for inviting me to interview and for sharing your time with me today. Please let me know if I can answer any questions or otherwise provide additional information. I really enjoyed connecting with you virtually and hope to speak with you again soon. Regards, [Insert Your First and Last Name] |
Thank You Email After an In-Person Interview
When writing a thank you email after an in-person interview, be sure to reference something about the time you spent at the company's location. For example, if the employees seemed to be happy, point out what a positive impression that made. Or, you may want to mention something about the environment that seemed particularly welcoming to you, as a way of conveying to the interviewer that you are a good fit for the company.
| Subject Line: Thank you for meeting with me Dear [insert name]: Thank you so much for clearing time in your schedule to meet with me [specify when, such as "earlier today" or "yesterday"]. The company's offices are so inviting. Everyone seemed very upbeat and focused on productivity. Based on what I observed there, it seems that your company has a really great work environment. You did a terrific job explaining the position to me. I am even more excited now about this opportunity than I was before coming in to interview with you. It's exactly the kind of job I have been hoping to find. The duties are a perfect match for my skills, and I can tell that the company has a positive culture and collaborative environment, both of which are things I highly value in your workplace. I hope you agree that I am a good fit for this position, as there's nothing I'd love more than to be able to demonstrate just how much I can contribute to the organization as a member of the [insert team name] team. Thanks for sharing that you plan to make a decision and follow up with candidates next week. I will be looking forward to receiving good news from you when we speak again. Thank you again for your time. Regards, [Insert Your First and Last Name] |
Example Thank You Email After a Phone Interview
Not every interview is conducted face-to-face or via Zoom (or a similar platform). Some interviews are conducted by telephone. Initial screening interviews are usually handled this way, though sometimes hiring managers interview applicants by phone as well. While it's challenging to connect as effectively via phone as it is in-person or via video conference, it's still important to send a customized thank you email.
| Subject Line: Thank you for speaking with me Dear: I am reaching out to follow up on our telephone interview [specify a date or go with something like "earlier today" or "yesterday"]. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to connect with me. I am so glad to know that I am being considered for the [insert job title] role with your company. Based on our conversation, I am certain that I am a great fit for this job. The fact that it requires [list a few specific skills you have that uniquely qualify you for the job] really appeals to me. I have a strong background in those areas and am actively seeking a job that will allow me to apply those skills in my work. Your company's commitment to [specify something that is a key aspect of the company's mission or a major focus area] closely aligns with my interests and values, as I am just as passionate about [specify topic or cause] as your organization seems to be. I hope that your next conversation will be to discuss moving forward in the screening process, as I am eager to have an opportunity to join the [insert company name] team. Thank you again for your time and the thoughtful, informative interview. You definitely convinced me that I want to join the [insert company name] team. I look forward to speaking with you again soon. Sincerely, [Insert Your First and Last Name] |
Sample Thank You Emails by Interviewer Role
It's just as important to adapt your thank you email to the role of the interviewer as it is to the format of the interview. When deciding how to word your thank you email, consider how the person you spoke with is involved in the hiring decision, and address that in the message. If it's a second or third interview, you may even want to reference earlier interviews at the company.
Thank You Email After an Initial Screening Interview
Use the approach below if the first person you talk to is a recruiter or assistant who is doing an initial screening to decide who to forward on to the hiring manager. Use the same tone and level of respect that would be appropriate for the person making the hiring decision.
| Subject Line: Thank you for [speaking or meeting] with me Dear [insert name]: Thank you so much for [speaking or meeting, depending on how the screening interview was conducted) with me about the [insert job title] position with [insert company name]. I'm so glad to have been selected to interview for the position, and I'm really excited about having an opportunity to be selected to move forward in the interview process. Based on the way you described the job, I am convinced that I am ideally suited for this job. I look forward to further discussing how I can contribute to [insert company name] as a(n) [insert job title]. My background and experience are a great fit for this opportunity, and [insert company name] seems like a wonderful place to work. I am a hard worker who would like nothing more than an opportunity to join [insert company name] as a(n) [insert job title]. I am ready to schedule a second interview as soon as you are ready to move forward, and I can arrange my schedule to [come in or speak with, depending on how you expect the next interview to be handled] you or anyone else who is involved with the hiring process at your earliest convenience. I look forward to speaking with you again soon. Sincerely, [Insert Your First and Last Name] |
Thank You Email After an Interview With the Hiring Manager
When you interview with the hiring manager, you're probably speaking with the person who will be your direct supervisor if you are hired. Your thank you email should be worded in a way that will help them visualize working with you on a daily basis.
| Subject Line: Thank you for your time Dear [insert name]: Thank you so much for [speaking or meeting] with me about the [insert job title] position on your team. I am definitely interested in the position, and I am ready to get started right away. My background in [specify a few things about your background that make you a particularly good candidate] has prepared me to excel in this job. I have the [insert types of skills] skills and experience required for this job, and I am highly interested and motivated to contribute to your team at a high level as a(n) [insert job title]. Not only is this job a fit for my background, I very much want to be a part of the [insert company name] team, working with you and the others in the [specify department name] department. The fact that the company [specify something about the company that makes a great place to work, such as "has been in business for more than 100 years," "is an innovative startup," "is recognized as the best of class in the industry," etc.] is very impressive. The more I learn about [insert company name], the more I am convinced that this is where I belong. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to working with you. Regards, [Insert Your First and Last Name] |
Thank You Email After an Interview With Upper Management
If you are invited to interview with one or more members of upper management after your initial interview, that means that you are being seriously considered for the job. You may be the hiring manager's top candidate; if not, you are probably in the last few finalists. Focus on conveying that you are a good fit for the company's culture and that you will be an asset to the organization.
| Subject Line: Thank you for [meeting or speaking] with me Dear [insert name]: Thank you so much for taking the time to discuss my interest in joining [insert company name] in the [insert job title] position. The more I learn about your company and its mission and culture, the more convinced I am that this is the right place for me. I'm motivated to excel in this job, and I am also excited by the opportunity to join such a(n) [insert a word or two that describes the organization's culture, such as "collaborative and innovative" or "customer-focused and quality-driven"] team. It has long been my goal to join an organization that is committed to [insert a statement about the company's mission or a particular focus area of the organization], and it's obvious that your company is a leader in this area. I am passionate about this aspect of the [insert industry name] industry, and I look forward to playing a key role in the company's continued growth. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to making a positive impact as a member of the [insert company name] team. Sincerely, [Insert Your First and Last Name] |
When to Send an Interview Follow-Up Message
Timing is an important consideration with interview follow-up messages. The best way to show the interviewer that you're excited about the job is to follow up quickly. Costa urges, "Be strategic with how much follow up to do and how to time it."
- It is much better to send a thank you email than to mail a letter. Hiring decisions can be made quickly, so the job might already be gone by the time a letter arrives.
- Costa recommends sending an email as soon after the interview as possible. She states, "Later the same day of the interview is good, or no later than the next day."
- Costa advises against repeatedly emailing an interviewer or recruiter after an interview. She cautions, "Don't bombard the interviewer with daily or multiple emails."
Stand Out in a Positive Way
Get inspired by these sample emails to come up with the perfect way to say thank you after your next job interview. Remember to customize each one you send to the specific job and interview type, as well as how the interview was conducted. The time you take to develop thoughtful job interview follow-up messages can help sway decision-makers to recommend or choose you for the job of your dreams.
