Writing a thank you email to the hiring manager after your job interview is one of the most important parts of the interview process. Not only does it leave a good impression, but it can also actually raise your chances of landing your next job.
This article will outline how to write a follow up email after job interview so you can stand out in the right way. I’ll also include a job interview follow up email sample to help guide you.
Sending the email is polite but more importantly it lets them know that you’re serious about the position, and that you respect their time and consideration.
How to Write a Thank You Email After Job Interview
Let’s explore how to write a follow up email for a job interview. This is your opportunity to thank the interviewer for their time and restate why you’re an excellent candidate for the position.
Your letter should brief – 200 words or less – and concise. The best way to start the letter is to immediately say thank you. Then recap some of the discussion you had during the interview and remind them that your skills and experience make you an excellent candidate for the position.
You can create a template thank-you letter to use after each interview, however, you should always customize the letter. Never send the same exact letter to multiple organizations without customizing it first. This is the best way how to write a follow up email for a job interview.
The Email Subject
The email subjects should be short and sweet. There’s no need to add detail here. Here are some examples you can choose from.
- Thank you – [job title] Interview
- Thank you for your time, [interviewer’s name]
- Following up after [position] interview
- [Position] interview follow-up
This will catch the recipients eye and prevent your email from being filtered as spam.
The Email Body
The first part of sending any letter is the greeting. It’s important to address the interviewer by name. This gives the email a personalized feeling and shows that you pay attention to detail. Some examples include:
- Dear Mr. (first name)
- Hi (first name)
- Hi Mr. (last name)
- Hello (first name)
The first sentence of your letter should include the thank you. Don’t beat around the bush here, get right to the point. Here are some examples.
- Thank you so much for your time today to discuss the [job name] position
- Thank you for taking time to meet with me on [date] to discuss [jobname] position
- I wanted to write and thank you for taking the time to interview me for this opportunity
- It was such a pleasure to meet you today to discuss the [job name] position, thank you so much for your time and consideration
After that, recap specific details you discussed during the interview. This should be 1-2 sentences. This is another opportunity to personalize your letter. This is critical, so don’t skip this part. This will ensure the interviewer that you wrote this specifically for them and didn’t use a generic template.
Lastly, reiterate why you’re an excellent candidate for the position. Remind them of your experience and skills, and although you may be repeating what you said in the interview, it will remind him or her why you are the right fit for the job. Furthermore, mention your interest in and excitement about the job or company values. Here are some example letters.
Job Interview Follow Up Sample
Let’s take a look at a job interview follow up sample.
When to Send an Interview Thank You Email
The best time to send a thank you email is within 24 hours after the job interview. Send the email during normal working hours, sometime between 9am and 5pm.
If your interview took place in a different time zone than yours, send the email between the recipient’s normal working hours.
If your interview took place on a Friday afternoon, you can send the letter shortly after the interview or wait until Monday morning to follow up.
How to Write a Follow Up Email for a Job Interview
Thank You Email Do’s
- Use a professional email address that includes your first name and last name.
- Send the thank you email within 24 hours after the job interview.
- Send the thank you email during working hours.
- Use an appropriate subject line.
- Start by thanking the recruiter for their time.
- Personalize the thank you email according to your interview conversation.
- Keep it short. 200 words or less.
- Check for spelling mistakes.
Thank You Email Don’ts
- Use an unprofessional email address such as hotwheels008@gmail.com.
- Send the thank you email at odd hours.
- Not include an appropriate title.
- Not customize the body of the email.
- Be overly friendly/casual.
- Be very generic.
- Write a very long email over 200 words.
- Have spelling mistakes.
- Send the email to multiple recipients.
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Related Content to How to Write a Follow Up Email After Job Interview:
- How to Write a Professional Cover Letter that Will Get You Noticed
- The Best Questions to Ask at the End of Job Interviews
- The Ultimate Guide to Prepare for Your Next Job Interview
- Tips for Productivity while Working from Home
- How to write a follow up email by Coursera
