Best Thank-You Emails for After an Interview Examples

How to write an interview thank-you email
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Ashley DeLeon / The Balance

It's always a good idea to send a thank-you email after an interview. A lot has changed in the job interview process over the years. It's not uncommon, for instance, for a candidate to be asked to participate in a video interview, demonstrate their personal brand by providing links to their social media pages, or do some sample work on spec to prove that they're qualified for the job.

One thing that hasn't changed is the need to send a thank-you note to your interviewers to express appreciation for the opportunity to meet with them, which can be done via email for more immediate follow-up.

Note

A Talent Inc. survey reports that 68% of hiring managers said receiving a thank-you email or note impacts their decision-making.

The Benefits of Sending a Thank-You Email

Sending a thank-you email has a couple of important advantages over the old-fashioned, paper-and-ink variety of thank-you letter.

With an email, for example, you can do more than remind your prospective employer of your qualities and skills: You can actually show them by including a link to your online portfolioLinkedIn account, or professional social networking profiles.

You'll also have the opportunity to mention anything you wish you had said during the interview, but didn't get the chance to discuss.

Note

Sending an email immediately after or within 24 hours of a job interview is crucial if the hiring manager will be making a quick decision. 

Ideally, your note will reach the interviewer prior to a hiring decision and while your meeting is still top of mind.

What to Include in Your Email

Your thank-you note should be brief and to the point. A couple of brief paragraphs are sufficient. There are a few fundamental things to remember when writing your note.

Thank the Interviewer

Start your email by thanking the interviewer for their time, and mentioning your further interest in the role.

Mention Your Qualifications for the Job

It's also a good idea to remind the interviewer of your qualifications, making sure to mention some of the key skills listed in the original job listing (or those that came up during the interview itself).

Showcase Your Expertise

In addition to highlighting your most relevant experience, you may also want to provide links to your online portfolios and other professional sites and networks.

Don't Forget a Message Subject

Be sure to include your name or the name of the position and the words "thank you" in the subject line to ensure your message gets opened and read.

Note

Including your name in the subject line will ensure that the hiring manager sees your response and knows that your email is important.

Add a Signature

Include your contact information (email, phone, and LinkedIn, if you have a profile) to make it easy for the hiring manager to follow up with you.

Tips for Writing an Interview Thank-You Email

Here are additional tips for writing a strong thank-you email after a job interview and what to include:

  • Express Why You Want the Job: In addition to thanking the person you interviewed with, your thank-you note should reinforce the fact that you want the job, so view this thank-you as a follow-up "sales" letter. Restate why you want the job, what your qualifications are, and how you might make significant contributions.
  • Bring Up Anything You Wish You Had Said: Your message is also the perfect opportunity to discuss anything of importance that your interviewer neglected to ask. For example, if you didn’t have a chance to explain why you thought that you would fit in well with the company culture, you might briefly state this in the email.
  • Revisit Any Issues Brought Up During the Interview: Finally, use your letter to address any issues and concerns that came up during the interview, including topics you neglected to answer as thoroughly as you might have wished. For instance, if you feel that you botched an interview question, you could explain your answer in more detail here.

Interview Thank-You Email Example

The thank-you email example below provides a template to use for your own thank-you email. Keep in mind that this sample is intended to give you a sense of how to format your email and to demonstrate what information should be included. You’ll need to tailor it to reflect your own circumstances.

Subject Line of the Message: Thank You—Assistant Account Executive Interview

Dear Ms. Jenkins,

I enjoyed speaking with you today about the assistant account executive position at the Smith Agency. The job seems to be an excellent match for my skills and interests.

The creative approach to account management that you described confirmed my desire to work with you.

In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position strong writing skills, assertiveness, and the ability to encourage others to work cooperatively with the department.

I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you regarding this position.

Sincerely,

Marjorie Campbell
marjorie.campbell@email.com
555-555-1212
linkedin.com/in/marjoriecampbell
twitter.com/marjoriecampbell

Thank-You Email Subject Line Examples

In the subject line, provide just enough information about why you are sending the email. Include the phrase “thank you” and either your name or the title of the job you interviewed for (or both). Some examples of subject lines include:

  • Thank You—First Name Last Name
  • Thank You—Job Title
  • Thank You—First Name Last Name, Job Title
  • Thank You—Job Title, First Name Last Name
  • Job Title, First Name Last Name—Thank You

Thank-You Email Signature Example

Include your contact information in your signature, so it's easy for the hiring manager to get back in touch with you. Here's an example:

Your Name
Address
Email Address
Phone Number
Professional website (optional)
LinkedIn URL (optional)
Work-related social media pages (optional)

Send Separate Emails to Each Interviewer

If you’re interviewed by several people, ask for their business cards at the conclusion of the interview so you'll have the contact information for each thank-you email.

Then, send email messages to each person who interviewed you. Your messages should vary somewhat so that the recipients can't compare notes later and feel as if they just got a chain email.

Things to Avoid When Following Up

By sending a thoughtfully expressed “thank-you” email immediately after your interview, you’ll affirm the positive impressions you made during your talk, keep your candidacy top of mind as final hiring decisions are made, and demonstrate that you have the good manners and proactive communications skills employers desire in their personnel.

At the same time, there are also a few things you should avoid:

  • Don't Hound Your Interviewers: Initiatives such as a thank-you email and a follow-up a week or so later are more than enough. Beyond that, you won't be promoting yourself; you'll be stressing them out. Remember that your goal is not only to show the hiring managers that you’re qualified but also to convince them that they want to work with you.
  • Don't Send Anything That Makes You Look Bad: This includes personal social media profiles that contain unprofessional pictures or behavior. Err on the side of caution when determining this. You might see nothing wrong with a photo of you enjoying a margarita on a tropical vacation, but the hiring manager might feel differently. Likewise, don't send memes or be too casual in the tone of your email by using internet acronyms, etc.
  • Don't Overwrite: Keep your message short and focused. The interviewer will not want to read a very long thank-you email. Focus on saying “thank you” and briefly reiterating your interest in the position.
  • Don't Send Misspelled or Grammatically Incorrect Emails: Even professional editors make mistakes when they try to work on their own. Get another set of eyeballs to look over your work before you hit "send."

More Thank-You Samples for Interviews

Review more thank-you letters, email messages, and templates for additional guidance and inspiration in crafting your own letters to say thank you after a job interview.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Talent Inc. "Thanks, but No Thanks: 68% of Hiring Managers Say Ungrateful Job Seekers Are Jeopardizing Their Own Candidacy." Accessed June 12, 2021.

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