How to Seal the Deal: Thank-you Notes

You’ve just finished an interview for a job opportunity you’re really excited about. You know you should send a thank you note to your interviewers, but you’re not sure what to write. How much detail should you include? Should you send an email to every person you interviewed with? And what’s really the best way to follow up?

Here’s some advice on what to say — and not to say — in your message, along with sample email templates. I’ll also cover why writing a thank you note is something you should do, even if it feels like a formality. Let’s start with the big question: Why bother?

Why Is Following Up After a Job Interview Important?

Following up after an interview is important because it reminds the hiring manager, interviewer, or recruiter about your candidacy. A post-interview follow-up email allows you another opportunity to help your experience stand out and further highlights your desire for the job, which can help you stand out amongst a potentially long list of candidates. A solid follow-up can strongly influence whether you get the job, so it’s important to write an email that is concise, error-free, and polite to bolster your chances of landing the job.

TWO BIG REASONS TO SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE:

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When to Send a Follow-Up Email After an Interview

The best time to send a follow-up email to your prospective employer is within 24 hours of your interview. Some companies will provide a time frame for their final decision, but not all of them do. It’s also a good idea to thank the hiring manager for their time and mention a specific area you discussed during the interview in your follow-up email.

How to Write a Follow-Up Email After an Interview

If you’re looking to send a thank-you note to a company to help bolster your chances of getting hired, follow these basic guidelines:

1. Contact the right person. Make sure the person you’re emailing is the person who was in charge of your interview. Sending the email to the wrong contact or multiple contacts on the same team may come across as unprofessional and count against you in the hiring decision.
2. Create a clear subject line. The subject of your email should detail the contents of the email. Use subject lines like “Thank you for yesterday’s interview” or “interview follow-up” to convey the message.
3. Begin with a salutation. The note is a brief but formal letter, so start with the person’s title, such as “Dear Mr.” or “Dear Dr.”
4. Express your thanks. Start by expressing gratitude; thank the person for taking the time to meet you and provide more information about the company culture, position, and expectations.
5. Make the note personal. Mention something specific from the interview, maybe what you learned from the interview questions, something about the workplace culture, or new insights about the job. This section might start your second paragraph, but this type of thank-you note should generally not exceed two paragraphs.
6. Keep it professional. When writing your follow-up email, include the company name, the position you’re interested in, and your interview’s time and date. Include your enthusiasm for the job you’re after and any additional information that was not discussed during the original interview—but keep it to the point. Explain your wish to check in about your recent interview, and reaffirm your interest in the job.
7. Be polite, positive, and brief. If you want to request further information regarding your interview status, ask politely and remain professional. An initial good impression can be disqualified by a rude follow-up email. Even if the hiring process is taking a long time, it’s important to stay positive and gracious throughout the process. Your thank-you email must be warm and a strong reminder to the hiring manager WHY you’re a quality choice.
8. Proofread. Re-read your email multiple times to ensure it is free of typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes. Many jobs want to see thorough and careful attention to detail. Proofreading can help you fix easy spelling or writing errors in your follow-up letter that could potentially take you out of consideration for the position.

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Examples