Why and how: sending a thank you email following your interview

Finding a job is not always easy, and walking out of the company's offices with a mix of excitement and anxiety is quite common. But here is the good news: there are several strategies you can use to give yourself the best possible chance. Sending a thank you email after a job interview is one of them.

1. Expressing gratitude will show how polite you are. It is also a sign of professional courtesy and demonstrates your people skills.


2. Reinforcing your interest in the position is also smart, as it shows how motivated you are to join the company’s team. Demonstrating enthusiasm is always a good thing.


3. Reiterating qualifications is also a good idea to underline one last time why you would be the perfect fit for the role.


4. Requesting additional information or expressing your concerns can be helpful if you forgot to do so during the interview. You can also offer to answer any questions they may still have, just in case.

For a successful thank-you email, remember that the recruiter needs to receive it at the right time – not too early, not too late!

In most cases, it is best to send it between 24 and 48 hours after the interview. However, if the interview takes place on a Friday, you can exceed the 48-hours deadline and send it on Monday, or Tuesday at the latest.

But be careful not to write your thank you email just after the interview! It might seem a bit oppressive to the recruiter, and they may think that you prepared it before the interview and that it lacks honesty.

Subject: Acknowledge the interview opportunity and thank the hiring manager. Keep it short and straightforward to easily convey your message.

First paragraph: Explain why you are grateful for your conversation with the hiring manager and reassert how enthusiastic you are about the role. Do not forget to include the job title to avoid any confusion, as hiring managers usually look for candidates for multiple positions at the same time.

Second paragraph: You can give an example of a topic that you discussed together. Did it make you think? How did it help you? Will you keep gathering information about this?
It is also a chance for you to underline the ways you could help the team thanks to your large skill set.

Conversation closer: Encourage the hiring manager to take the next step with you in the hiring process. You can end your email with a closing phrase such as “Best regards”, “Sincerely” or “Thank you”!
Provide your contact information (email address and phone number) to make it easier for the hiring manager to contact you for the next steps of the hiring process.

Subject: Thank You for Meeting with Me

Dear Michael,

I wanted to extend my sincere gratitude for taking the time to meet with me this morning for the Graphic Designer position at Superbank. I was thoroughly impressed by our discussion, and I am even more enthusiastic about the possibility of working with your team.

Our conversation about the evolutions of AI was very interesting. It made me think about the ways we could implement some tools within the Communications Department while making sure that Superbank’s work is protected. I am truly excited about the role, and I'm confident that my experience with Adobe Suite’s software aligns perfectly with the requirements of the position. I also highly appreciate your insights into Superbank’s values and culture.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to discussing the next steps in the hiring process. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need additional information.

Warm regards,
James Reynolds
James.reynolds@email.com
1111-222-3333

The Dos

• Send a personalised thank you message. Tailor the message to your recipient and do not write too much about the technical aspects of the position.


• Be your authentic self. Stay professional, but do not mimic the personality of the recruiter. You want to show who you are to make sure that communicating with the team feels right and easy.


• Use the appropriate platform. This message does not necessarily need to be an email. If the hiring manager contacted you via LinkedIn, or even via WhatsApp, you can respond that way.


• Proofread the email before sending it. Make sure these few sentences look perfect. Small errors make you look unprofessional.

The Don’ts

• Don’t send a long email. Brevity is key, so try not to exceed 3 paragraphs.


• Don’t send an email when you feel emotional or angry. Keep calm no matter the circumstances.


• Avoid buzzwords and slang. Remember you are talking to a hiring manager. Not using proper words and sentences makes you look unprofessional.


• Don’t send another follow-up email after your thank you note. Too much follow-up communication will kill the vibe.