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How to Write a Short Thank You Email after an Interview

Sending a thank-you email after an interview is the perfect way to express how much you care about a job you’re interviewing for. How do you do it?

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By Ho 3 minutes read

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What is an interview thank-you email?

An interview thank-you email is a follow-up email that you send to the recruiter or hiring manager who interviewed you to thank them for their time and attention. Just as writing a good cover letter makes it easier to get an interview in the first place, writing a thank-you note or email may increase your chances of getting a second interview or even a job offer.
In fact, taking 10 minutes post-interview is one of the simplest ways to navigate the hiring process and increase your chances of a successful job search. Of course, if you really want to improve your chances, it is important that you write a professional and effective thank-you email.
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The structure of a thank-you email after an interview

  • 1

    Subject line

    The subject line you use for your thank-you interview is all-important because it will allow your email to stand out from the other emails in their inbox. Something simple like, “Thank you for meeting with me” or “Thank you for the interview” is perfect.

  • 2

    Personal greeting

    Make sure you use a personal salutation. Use your interviewer’s name to personalize the thank-you note rather than something like, “To whom it may concern.”

  • 3

    Express appreciation for the interview and restate your interest in the job

    Though you will have discussed all of your main strengths and qualifications in the interview, you can briefly highlight the main reasons that you feel you would be a good candidate for the role and express your interest once more.

  • 4

    4. Refer to something specific from the interview

    Touch on a point of discussion from your first or second interview to make sure you stay fresh in the hiring manager’s mind after they read your thank-you email.

  • 5

    5. Offer additional information if desired

    If you failed to mention something of importance during your interview, this is your chance to mention it. You can also reiterate your contact information if you wish to, but you should only do this if you are sending a handwritten note; the recruiter can simply reply to an email.

  • 6

    6. Closing

    Your closing statement should include a call to action. Include a line that encourages the hiring manager to keep you in mind when it comes to choosing people for the next stage of interviews or for the role itself. Something like, “I look forward to discussing this with you in the future” or “Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have more questions” is ideal. End your email with something friendly but professional like “best regards” or “kind regards.”

    If you follow this basic structure, you will create an effective and professional thank-you email. For inspiration, consider looking at sample thank-you notes for ideas. If you want to make a statement, there are a few other things you can do.

How to make sure your thank-you email makes a statement

If you want to make your thank-you note stand out from the rest of the emails sent to a recruiter during the interview process, there are a few things you can do to show you were paying special attention.

First, be certain to address the hiring manager by name, and if you were interviewed by more than one person as part of a panel interview, make sure each recruiter is included in the email. You should also try to mention the company name and job title specifically in case they are making hiring decisions for more than one position. Whether this is your first interview, a second video interview, or a follow-up to a phone interview, you should be sure to let the hiring managers know that you appreciate their time and attention.

If you can, ask a relevant question about the job title or interview process. Once you have covered all of the relevant points, sign off by using your full name. Remember, this should be a short thank-you, not a lengthy missive. Keep it concise to make a good impression.

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FAQ: Sending a thank-you email after an interview

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Do I really need to send a thank-you email after an interview?

Yes, CNBC has found that as many as 68% of hiring managers and recruiters notice whether a job seeker sends a follow-up thank-you email and that it does impact their decision-making process. As such, sending a follow-up email to say thank you is an easy way to increase the chances of success in your job search. 

Should I send emails after second interviews?

Yes, it’s a good idea to send a follow-up email after a second job interview. Getting a second interview means that the hiring manager is close to making a decision among you and other candidates. In this situation, it pays to stand out, and it’s well worth your time to create a thank-you email. 

Is it a better idea to send a handwritten thank-you letter?

Both handwritten notes and thank-you emails are acceptable, but each may be best suited for different situations. For example, if your job interview was with a company that puts a lot of value on a familial atmosphere, the personal nature of a handwritten note would probably appeal to the hiring manager. If the company prioritizes modernity and efficiency, however, a thank-you email would probably get the best results. 

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WRITTEN BY Ho

Ho is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and editor with two decades of experience in content strategy, creation, and development. He holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and his background includes experience aiding military veterans as they transition to civilian careers.

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