Interview Thank You Letters and Emails to Employees

You’re probably aware that you should send a thank-you note to the hiring manager after a job interview. But did you also know that it’s a good idea to thank the other employees who interviewed you—even if they wouldn’t be your boss, should you get hired?

Who to Thank After a Job Interview

Many employers conduct panel interviews during the hiring process. While the hiring manager is typically present at these meetings, you might also meet with potential colleagues, including direct reports. It’s important to thank these folks as well, in order to demonstrate that you appreciate their taking time out of their schedule to meet with you.

Finally, depending on company culture, it’s very possible that your potential direct reports will have a say in whether or not to hire you. Fail to express your appreciation, and you might lose out on the job offer.

Tips for Saying Thank You to Team Members

1. Send a note to each person who participated in the interview. Take the time to send individual thank-you notes to each person if you met with several members of the team. The basic message can be the same, just vary it enough, so you aren't sending the same message to each person you met with.

2. Know when to send an email. Depending on timing, you could send it as an email message or a handwritten thank-you note. If you expect a decision to be made fast, send an email. Otherwise, a mailed note can make a good impression.

3. Use business-letter format. In all professional communication, it’s a good idea to use business-letter format. Follow this guide to ensure that your letter is constructed properly. If you choose to send an email, leave off the address paragraphs and make sure your subject line is clear.

4. Review examples before composing your note. But be sure to customize your interview thank-you note before you send it. Remember that your thank-you is similar to a sales pitch – you’re trying to seal the deal and get a job offer. If you follow an example letter too closely without personalizing your message, your note will come across as robotic and unpersuasive.

5. Edit and proofread before sending. If you’re sending your note via email, it’s also a good idea to send yourself a test message to ensure that your formatting and spacing hold up.

Sample Interview Thank-You Note for Employees

Example of a thank you email sent to an employee who participated in a job interview.

Sample Interview Thank-You Note for a Prospective Co-Worker

Review a sample letter to thank a prospective co-worker who spent time meeting with the applicant. If you're sending the letter by email simply put "Thank You - Your Name" in the Subject of the message and leave off the heading information.