interview unsuccessful letter thank you

Thank You Letter To Unsuccessful Applicants: How To, Templates & Examples

Being rejected for a job you’re looking for is upsetting and can occasionally make applicants feel a little letdown. This could be due to hiring challenges , including needing more job experience.

Providing feedback after the application process is crucial to avoid conflicts between the recruiter and applicants. As shown by the job process statistics , 53% of applicants shared that they haven’t received any response from employers 3 months after applying at the company, and almost 63% of applicants complained that most employers do not communicate adequately.

How To Show Appreciation To Unsuccessful Applicants

Even though they were not chosen for the post, there are a few methods to thank unsuccessful applicants:

• Send a personalized feedback letter or email: While it might not be possible to provide each unsuccessful applicant with a particular input, a personalized rejection letter or email can express thanks for their time and effort in applying and acknowledge their interest in the position.
• Provide honest suggestions: If you can explain in detail why the applicant was passed over, that will aid them in future job searches. It’s crucial to give this feedback openly and respectfully.
• Keep their application on file: If the unsuccessful candidate is a good fit for upcoming openings, consider keeping their application on file and getting in touch with them when a position matching their qualifications becomes available.
• Provide them with other options: If you are aware of any job openings or other opportunities for which the unsuccessful applicant could be a good fit, think about providing them with these opportunities.
• Thank them for their interest: It’s necessary to thank applicants for their interest, regardless of whether or not they were hired for the position.

What Is It?

An email sent to someone who applied for a job or other opportunity but has not yet been chosen for the position is referred to as a “thank you letter for unsuccessful applicants.” With the help of this letter, you can thank the candidate for their time and effort in applying and offer them helpful feedback or pointers for future job searches.

Why Is It Important?

There are several reasons why it is important to send a thank you letter to unsuccessful applicants:

• It’s a respectful and professional action: It’s important to express gratitude for the applicant’s time and effort in applying, even if they weren’t chosen for the job. A letter of appreciation can help you keep in touch with the applicant and reflects your professionalism and regard for them.
• It can offer helpful critical analysis: A letter of acknowledgment might offer insightful commentary on why an applicant was passed over, which can be useful in future job searches. It’s crucial to give this feedback openly and respectfully.
• Future opportunities may result from it: A thank-you note might keep the door open for more prospects, particularly if the applicant would make a great addition to the company’s future hiring plans.
• It could improve the applicant’s experience: Even though a candidate was not chosen for the position, receiving a thank you letter can improve their experience and make them feel valued.

Writing Guidelines

• Keep it brief: A thank you letter to unsuccessful applicants should be brief and to the point, expressing appreciation for the applicant’s time and effort in applying and providing any relevant feedback or guidance.
• Personalize it: A personalized thank you letter is more meaningful and shows that the applicant’s application was given careful consideration. Use the applicant’s name and reference the specific position for which they applied.
• Be honest and respectful: While providing constructive feedback, it is also important to be honest, and respectful in your language and tone. Avoid using vague or generic phrases and focus on specific areas for improvement.
• Offer guidance and support: A thank you letter can guide and support the applicant’s future job searches. This could include suggestions for improving their resume or cover letter or connecting them with other resources or opportunities.
• Keep the door open for future opportunities: If the applicant is a strong fit for future positions at the company, consider expressing interest in keeping their application on file and reaching out to them if a suitable opening becomes available.
• Proofread and edit: Before sending the thank you letter, proofread and edit it for spelling and grammar errors. A well-written letter will demonstrate professionalism and attention to detail.

Templates of Thank You Letter To Unsuccessful Applicants

Template #1.

Dear (Name of the Applicant),

Thank you for being interested in the (Position) at (Company). We appreciate the time and effort you took to apply for this opportunity and to prepare for the interview.

Unfortunately, after careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with other candidates for this position. While we were impressed with your qualifications and experience, we ultimately determined that another candidate would better fit the role.

We understand that receiving a rejection letter can be disappointing, and we want to assure you that this decision was not taken lightly. We encourage you to continue pursuing your career goals and to keep us in mind for future opportunities that may be a good fit for your skills and experience.

Thank you again for your interest in (Company). We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

(Your name)

Template #2

We appreciate you taking the time to speak with our staff about the (job description) position at (company name). It was wonderful to hear more about your qualifications and achievements.

Sadly, our group did not decide to keep you in mind for more consideration.

I want to mention that there is always fierce competition for jobs at (company name) and that we frequently have to make difficult decisions between many qualified individuals. We will keep your resume on file for future postings that better match your profile now that we have had the opportunity to get to know you.

If you have any specific inquiries regarding your application or interviews, I would be pleased to address them.

We again appreciate your interest in (company name), and we wish you well in your job search.

Warm Regards,

Template #3

We value your time applying for the (role title) vacancy and your interest in (business name).

Although we ultimately chose another applicant, we want to thank you for speaking with our staff and allowing us to learn more about your qualifications.

In the upcoming months, we will advertise more vacancies. We sincerely hope you’ll keep us in mind and urge you to apply again.

We wish you luck as you look for a job and move forward.

All the best,

Template #4

Hi (Name of the Applicant),

I want to express my gratitude for your interest in the (Position) at (business name) and the time you invested in the interview. We regret to inform you that we will not be giving the position to you. Your educational background is excellent, but we have chosen a candidate with more practical experience. Your résumé will be kept on file, and if any other openings occur, we’ll keep you in mind. We hope you will submit a new application once you have obtained some experience through volunteering or in another job role (company name).

I appreciate you taking the time, showing interest, and making an effort on behalf of (business name), and I wish you luck in your future professional pursuits.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any inquiries (contact number).

Sincerely, 

Template #5

Hello (Name of the Applicant),

We appreciate your interest in working at (company name). Unfortunately, we only needed one intern, yet there were many applicants. We’re writing to let you know that your application for an internship was turned down after a rigorous selection process.

We chose to move on with a different candidate because (reason for rejection). Because of this, that applicant was more suitable for our current opening.

In the summer, when we’ll employ three interns, we strongly encourage you to apply for another position. Contact us at any time if you have any questions or concerns.

 Warm Regards,

In conclusion, writing a thank you letter to unsuccessful applicants is a considerate approach to expressing gratitude and respect for them. It can also help you keep in touch with them in the future.

Making a thank you letter with candid feedback and suggestions for unsuccessful candidates helps ease the disappointment and may act as a learning experience for the applicant to move forward and improve.

Include gratitude for the unsuccessful applicants to prevent disappointment and bad feelings. MailToSelf knows the readers’ needs when sending a thank you letter to unsuccessful applicants. Well, our website prepared a lot of posts that are very helpful for employment purposes . 

Thank You Letter For Care and Support: How To, Templates & Examples

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© 2023 Mail To Self

Letter Templates

thank you email for unsuccessful interview

Getting rejected after an interview can be discouraging, but it’s important to maintain a professional attitude and follow up with a thank you email. Here’s how to write a thank you email for unsuccessful interview.

How to Write a Thank You Email for Unsuccessful Interview

When writing a thank you email for an unsuccessful interview, keep it brief and professional. Here’s an explanation of what to include:

Introduction

Begin with a brief thank you and acknowledgment of the interview. Mention that you appreciate the opportunity to interview for the position, and thank the interviewer for their time and the experience.

Explanation

Next, briefly explain that you understand they have decided to go in a different direction, and that you appreciate being considered for the role. It’s essential to remain polite and gracious, even if you’re disappointed.

Examples are helpful for inspiration and guidance when drafting a thank you email for an unsuccessful interview. You can find various examples online and edit them as needed to fit your unique situation and personality.

6 Tips for Writing a Thank You Email for Unsuccessful Interview

Here are six tips for writing a thank you email for an unsuccessful interview:

1. Personalize the greeting.

Address the interviewer by name and use a professional greeting, such as “Dear Mr. Smith.” Avoid using a generic greeting like “To Whom It May Concern.”

2. Keep it concise.

Be brief and to the point. Thank the interviewer for their time, acknowledge their decision, and express your appreciation.

3. Use professional language.

Keep the tone polite and professional. Avoid using slang, abbreviations, or emoticons.

4. Express your continued interest.

If you’re still interested in working for the company or in another role, express your continued interest in the organization and ask them to keep you in mind for future opportunities.

5. Proofread before sending.

Check for spelling and grammar errors before sending the email. Use proper punctuation and capitalization.

6. Send it promptly.

Send the thank you email within 24 hours of the interview to show your gratitude and professionalism.

7 Examples of Thank You Email for Unsuccessful Interview

Thank you email for unsuccessful interview – general.

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me and share information about [Company] and the [Position] role. While I am disappointed that I was not chosen to move forward in the hiring process, I appreciate having the opportunity to learn more about your organization and the role.

If any other opportunities arise in the future, I would be grateful if you could keep me in mind.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Thank You Email for Unsuccessful Interview – COVID-19

Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the [Position] position at [Company]. I appreciate your flexibility and understanding in conducting the interview remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While I am disappointed that I was not selected to move forward in the hiring process, I respect your decision and appreciate the opportunity to learn more about [Company].

Thank You Email for Unsuccessful Interview – Internal Candidate

Thank you for considering me for the [Position] role at [Company]. Although I am disappointed that I was not selected for the position, I appreciate the opportunity to interview and learn more about the hiring process.

I am still interested in pursuing career opportunities at [Company], and I hope to work together in the future. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Thank You Email for Unsuccessful Interview – Entry Level Position

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the [Position] role at [Company]. While I am disappointed that I was not selected for the position, I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your organization and the hiring process.

I am still interested in pursuing a career at [Company], and I hope to have the opportunity to work together in the future. Thank you again for your consideration.

Thank You Email for Unsuccessful Interview – Executive Role

Thank you for interviewing me for the [Position] position at [Company]. While I am disappointed that I was not selected to move forward in the hiring process, I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your organization and the role.

I understand that this role is critical to the success of [Company], and I wish you all the best in finding the right fit. If any other opportunities arise in the future, I would be grateful if you could keep me in mind.

Thank You Email for Unsuccessful Interview – Sales Position

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me and discuss the [Position] role at [Company]. While I am disappointed that I was not selected for the position, I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your organization and the sales process.

I am still interested in pursuing a career in sales, and I believe that [Company] is a great place to achieve my career goals. If any other opportunities arise in the future, I would be grateful if you could keep me in mind.

Thank You Email for Unsuccessful Interview – Marketing Position

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the [Position] role at [Company]. While I am disappointed that I was not selected for the position, I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your organization and the marketing process.

I am still interested in pursuing a career in marketing, and I believe that [Company] is an excellent place to achieve my career goals. If any other opportunities arise in the future, I would be grateful if you could keep me in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How soon should i send a thank you email after an unsuccessful interview.

The sooner, the better. Ideally, you should send a thank you email within 24 hours of the interview to show your appreciation and professionalism.

Should I send a thank you email even if I’m not interested in the job anymore?

Yes, it’s always a good idea to show gratitude and professionalism, regardless of your decision. You never know when you might cross paths with the interviewer or company again in the future.

Should I include my resume in the thank you email?

No, you should not include your resume in the thank you email. The purpose of the email is to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the company, not to provide additional application materials.

What should I do if I don’t hear back after sending a thank you email?

If you don’t receive a response after sending a thank you email, it’s best to wait a week or two before following up with a polite email. Keep in mind that the hiring process can take time, and the company may still be considering their options.

Can I ask for feedback in my thank you email?

Yes, you can ask for feedback in your thank you email, but keep in mind that the interviewer may not have the time or resources to provide detailed feedback. If you do ask for feedback, be respectful and grateful for any assistance they can offer.

What should I do if I receive negative feedback in response to my thank you email?

If you receive negative feedback, take it as an opportunity to learn and improve for the future. Thank the interviewer for their honesty and feedback, and use their comments to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate.

Writing a thank you email for an unsuccessful interview can help you leave a positive impression on the interviewer and maintain a professional attitude. By following these tips and using the examples provided, you can craft a thank you email that expresses your appreciation and reiterates your interest in the company.

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How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview

• Christopher Littlefield

Advice on what to say — and what not to — along with sample email templates.

You’ve updated your resume, written your cover letter, and prepared for your interview. Now it’s time for your thank you note to seal the deal. In this piece, the author outlines what to say — and not to say — in your thank you email to interviewers and answers common questions like: How much detail should you include? When should you send it? And why is it important to do? He also includes three sample emails to use as a guide.

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 ?

• Christopher Littlefield is an International/TEDx speaker specializing in employee appreciation and the founder of  Beyond Thank You . He has trained thousands of leaders across six continents to create cultures where people feel valued every day. He is the author of 75+ Team Building Activities for Remote Teams—Simple Ways to Build Trust, Strengthen Communication, and Laugh Together from Afar . You can follow his work through his weekly mailing  The Nudge .

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Writing a Thank-You Letter After You Did Not Get the Job

 Alison Czinkota / The Balance

Writing thank-you notes can be an onerous task, even when you're writing to thank a hiring manager for extending a job offer. When you're writing to thank people for their time after you didn't get the job—well, it's understandable if you're not feeling enthusiastic about this particular chore.

But here's something that might change your perspective: A thank-you note after a job rejection is not just a thank-you note. It's also a stealth mission.

By showing good grace and employing a little bit of skill, you can use your thank-you letter as a way to build your network, create a path to future job opportunities, even get a free critique on your interviewing skills and candidacy.

Sample Thank-You Letter After Being Rejected for a Job

This is an example of a thank-you letter for when you didn't get the job. Download the thank-you letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Sample Thank-You Letter After Being Rejected for a Job (Text Version)

Jane Smith 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 jane.smith@email.com  

July 27, 2020

Susane Greene Director, Human Resources XYZ Corp 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Greene:

I truly enjoyed meeting with you and discussing the position of assistant manager at XYZ Corp. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to tell me about the job and the company and for spending part of a busy afternoon showing me around.

While of course I was disappointed to learn that you'd be moving forward with another candidate, I appreciated the chance to speak with you and learn more about what XYZ will be doing in the coming year. I was especially interested in the ABC project and how it will affect the marketplace. As a big fan of XYZ, I'll be watching the rollout with interest. 

I hope that you'll keep me in mind for future opportunities, as I know XYZ is growing. I'd love the chance to put my skills to work for an organization that I admire.

Sample Email Thank-You After a Rejection

Subject Line:  Marketing Assistant Position

Dear Ms. Snow,

Thank you so much for taking the time to inform me that you have hired another candidate for the Marketing Assistant position with IceBreakers Inc. While I am, of course, disappointed that I was not selected for this role, I am very grateful that you took the time to interview me twice.

It was good to learn that you chose your new Marketing Assistant because they had slightly more experience than I did and possessed a greater knowledge of how to create original graphic designs on the multiple Adobe Creative Cloud platforms (Adobe InDesign and Illustrator). Realizing my limitations in the use of this software, I’ve just enrolled in a certification course at Valley View Community College so that I will soon be able to add digital design skills to my professional toolbelt. I know that this training will significantly extend my effectiveness in social media management, public relations, and marketing communications!

Again, thanks for making our interviews so collegial and informative. I was truly impressed by IceBreakers’ office culture, and I would be grateful if you would consider me for future appropriate positions that may open with your company.

Best regards,

Avram Connors

How to Turn Your Thank-You Letter Into an Opportunity

It's OK to acknowledge your disappointment in not getting the job—in fact, it's probably best to be honest about that, lest your letter seem disingenuous. But keep your tone positive and upbeat: now is not the time to express anger or to rail against the hiring manager's decision-making skills. (Save that for conversations with your friends and family.) 

Be specific about the things you're thanking them for: their time, yes, but also the information they provided, especially if you're excited about it, and any special steps they took to make your interview worthwhile, including an office tour or a business lunch, for example.

Finally, offer an opportunity for follow-up  by asking to be considered for future positions. Just because this particular position wasn't a good fit for you today doesn't mean there won't be something even better available tomorrow. If you're gracious in your thank-you letter, you could be first in line for that new role.

Optionally, you can also ask for feedback with questions  like "Did you identify any key qualifications for this job which were missing in my background?" Just don't be surprised if the hiring manager doesn't respond or doesn't provide an in-depth answer. There might not be a specific reason why another candidate was selected over you, and even if there was, the interviewer might not feel comfortable delivering criticism. If so, that's their problem, not yours.

What to Include in Your Thank-You Letter

The usual business letter or business email rules apply. Include:

• Your contact information
• A salutation and sign-off
• Your signature (written, if in a physical letter)
• The position for which you were interviewing

As always, your communication should be proofread, accurately spelled and punctuated, and error-free. Double-check the names and spellings of the people, companies, and products involved. Nothing is less impressive than a thank-you letter that misspells the name of the recipient or organization. 

Take care to render corporate names accurately as well. If the company spells its products' names in all-lowercase letters or with a random capital in the middle, they'll expect a savvy interviewee to do the same.

Bad Job Interview? Sample Thank You Emails & Notes to Recover

• Post author By Susan P. Joyce

This is the thank you that you send to an interviewer when you absolutely positively KNOW that you really messed up in the job interview. If you feel like you need interview help, consider scheduling a mock interview . 

You were late, gave a bad answer, forgot to include something important in an answer, or made some other major error.

In this message, apologize for your poor performance, bad behavior, or missing information, and try to recover.

This thank you may save the opportunity. OR, it may remind them when you were less than impressive and end any opportunity you might have had.

Sending a standard thank you note might be a better idea. See the samples in Formal Interview Thank You Notes and Sample Interview Thank You Email Messages .

If you know for sure that they are not considering you, perhaps a thank you note after receiving a rejection is more appropriate — that thank you note works much more often than you may think. But send it only when you really like the people you met and want very much to work for that employer.

Should You Send An Email Acknowledging a Bad Job Interview?

Send this only if you are absolutely positive that you failed the interview. Often, we can be too self-critical as we look back at our performance in an interview.

Apologizing for something that was NOT viewed as a failure by the employer can backfire, big time!

However, if an interview scheduled for sixty minutes lasted only five minutes with no business emergency reason given for the shortened interview and no apology or request to reschedule, something was wrong.

Or, the interviewer clearly lost interest and tuned you out, ending the interview with a chilly good bye. Then, you might have a failed interview.

Do’s and Don’ts for Bad Interview Follow Up Notes

Be very careful with this message! You don’t want to draw attention to your error.

DO send this message very soon after the interview, as soon as you are sure it is necessary particularly if you haven’t already sent a standard interview thank you note.

DO use email — probably the best method to use because it is so quick. If the organization is anti-technology or feels extremely traditional, a letter that is delivered quickly ( perhaps by hand?) might be a better response. If you do deliver it by hand, do NOT socialize. Just drop it off — be as low-profile as you can be.

DO NOT make this message long or include too many details or apologies. Be brief. Make your point, and end the message.

DO NOT send this message so quickly that you make errors in grammar or facts. Avoid misspellings and sending it to the wrong person. If possible, have someone else proof it for you.

3 Sample Thank You Emails for am Unsuccessful Job Interview

Adapt the text in the sample to your circumstances, and customize it as described in Sending Your Thank You’s After the Job Interview . Replace the Italicized text in the samples below with whatever terms are appropriate for you and your situation.

Message to include something you forgot to mention in the interview:

Subject: Thank you for the [Job Title] position interview on [date]

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

Thank you very much for your time interviewing me for the position of [job title] . I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about this position, meet you and other members of the team [OR, if only one other person, include that person’s name] , and see your facility [OR office, building, location, whatever is appropriate] .

After our discussion [OR the interview], I realized that I neglected to include [OR to fully explain OR to describe] something you would probably find useful [OR important OR relevant].

[Now, add a short but clear paragraph that shares the information you mentioned in the paragraph above.]

I hope to remain in consideration for this position because I have [years] of experience with [the technology, tools, or qualification you have that is important to the job] in my position with [name of a current or former employer where you gained the experience relevant to this job] . I look forward to the opportunity to become a contributor to your team.

I know that your time is very valuable, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

[Your name] [Your job title or tagline, like “eCommerce Customer Support Specialist”] [LinkedIn Profile URL] [Phone number — not your work number if you are employed]

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OR, message if you were late and they cancelled the interview or cut it very short:

Subject: Apology for tardiness for the [Job Title] position interview today [or date]

My deepest apologies for being late for the interview today. [Unfortunately, we had an emergency at work which needed my complete attention until it was resolved, so I was unable to leave when I had planned OR Being on time is one of my strengths, but an accident caused a traffic jam and trapped me for over 45 minutes with no way out. Unfortunately, my phone was in the back seat, so I was unable to contact you. OR whatever happened that doesn’t make you look like you would be a bad employee.]

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to interview again. I have [years] of experience with [technology, tools, or qualification you have that is important to the job] in my position with [name of a current or former employer where you gained the experience relevant to this job] . I believe that I could become a useful contributor to the team very quickly.

I know that your time is very valuable, and I promise not to waste it if you will allow me another opportunity to interview for this job. I look forward to hearing from you.

[Your name] [ Your job title or tagline, like “eCommerce Customer Support Specialist”] [LinkedIn Profile URL] [Phone number — not your work number if you are employed]

OR, message if you KNOW (absolutely, positively!) that you made a mistake which has already cost you this opportunity:

OR, if the failure was clear and obvious

Subject: Apology for the [Job Title] position interview on [date]

Unfortunately, the fire alarm in our building went off at 3 am [or whatever happened], so I was not at my best during the interview. Consequently, I need to clarify what I said about [whatever it is that you feel needs clarification or correcting.] [Then, make your clarification short and specific.]

I have [years] of experience with [technology, tools, or qualification you have that is important to the job] in my position with [name of a current or former employer where you gained the experience relevant to this job] . I believe that I could become a useful contributor to the team very quickly.

I know that your time is very valuable, and I promise not to waste it if you will allow me another opportunity to speak with you about this job. I look forward to hearing from you.

After the Thank You Note Is Sent for a Bad Interview

They may respond and reschedule, or they may ignore you.

Let them decide if they want to give you another chance. Another opening with different interviewers may happen with them in the future, so just chill after you send this message. And, be extremely well-prepared for that next interview, if it happens!

If this is a small organization and you really want to work there, give them a call a week or so after you have sent the message to respond, particularly if you sent this message on a Friday or just before a holiday. Don’t be a pest.

Your best strategy may be to wait until they have another appropriate job open (or until you can get a referral from an employee ).

More Information About Interview Thank You Notes

• Sending Your Thank You After the Job Interview
• Formal Interview Thank You Notes (with Samples)
• Job Interview Thank You Email (with Samples)
• Turning Rejection into Opportunity – the thank you after you are turned down for the job

Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce  has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a recent Visiting Scholar at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. Since 1998, Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt.org. Follow Susan on Twitter at  @jobhuntorg  and on Facebook , LinkedIn . More about this author …

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Guide to Writing Interview Thank You Notes/Emails

• Writing Interview Thank You Notes Home
• Email Thank You Do's and Don'ts
• 7 Costly Interview Thank You Note Mistakes
• Turning Rejection into Opportunity with a Thank You Note
• Appropriate Thank You Note Formats
• How to Avoid Common Mistakes in Your Job Search Follow-Up

Sample Interview Thank You Notes and Emails:

• Sample Interview Thank You Email
• Sample Formal Interview Thank You Note
• Sample Phone Interview Thank You Email
• Sample Second Interview Thank You Note/Email
• Sample Interview Thank You to the Person Who Referred You
• Sample Interview Thank You to the Recruiter
• Sample Thank You Note After a Bad Interview

More Information About Interviews:

• Guide to Job Interviews
• Smart Answers to Interview Questions with Sample Answers
• Free eBook - Successful Job Interviews (new browser window)
• Job-Hunt's Guide to Company Research

Thank You Email After Interview - 2024 Guide & Examples

How-to Guide for an Interview Follow-up Email

What should you do after a job interview? First, let out a deep breath. Regardless of how it went, you can relax. The hard part is over. But don’t think you are in the clear completely.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that once the interview is over, you should just wait to be contacted with a decision. This is not the case. Within an hour of being interviewed, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of being hired.

This guide will cover what you should do at various stages once an interview is complete. Specifically, we will look at:

• What to do right after a job interview
• When and how to send a thank you email after interview
• When and how to follow up after an interview
• What to do if you are invited for a second interview
• What to do when you are declined or selected for a position

The chances are good that all of these steps will apply to you at some point. Follow each of them, and hopefully, you’ll soon be thinking of how to prepare for your first day on the job.

What to Do Right After a Job Interview

Resist the urge to go straight to the pub. Of course, you should celebrate a bit, assuming all went smoothly. However, whether you feel you aced the interview or not, you should immediately look for an opportunity to write down some notes.

I know what you’re thinking, “I just spent days stressing over this interview, and now you want me to spend more time thinking about!?” Yes, that’s exactly right. But don’t worry, it will be over soon enough.

While you interview it’s a good idea to take notes on what the recruiter tells you; however, it’s also easy to miss jotting something important down if you are focused on being responsive. So, when you finish an interview, whether you go home straight away or sit down somewhere else, take a moment to reflect on any important information mentioned during the interview, compare this with your notes, and write down anything you may have missed. 

The reason behind is that you will capture information that may help you prepare for a second interview or to help you make a decision should you be offered a job. Salary information, job responsibilities, requested references /portfolios/work samples, and even the names of all of your interviewers are good to capture on paper for future reference. 

Writing a Thank You Email After an Interview  

Wondering when is the best time to send a thank you note after an interview? The short answer is three hours. You’ll often hear of a 24-hour rule, but it doesn’t make sense to put this off so long. At the same time, you don’t want to seem pushy or desperate – sounds a lot like a first date, right?

The reasons for writing a thank you email after an interview are three-fold: first, to show courtesy and good manners; two, to leave one last reminder of why you are suited for the job; and three, to reiterate your interest. 

Don’t worry, this interview thank you note should be short and sweet. Here is a sample of what an interview thank you letter should look like:

Dear (Mr./Ms. recruiter last name),

Thank you once again for meeting with me earlier today and for discussing the (Position name) role. I enjoyed learning more about the position and (Company X).

As I mentioned during our conversation, I think that my (skills/experience in a given specialty) would be particularly valuable in contributing to your work on (area or project types). 

If there is anything else that I can provide in order to assist your decision, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind regards,

(Your name)

This type of note assumes that you ARE interested in the position. Sometimes an interview will make you realize that a job isn’t in fact suited to you. If this is the case, and you are sure that you will not accept a job offer, use the interview thank you email to politely state that you are no longer interested in the position.

When and How to Follow Up After An Interview

One of the questions you should ask during a job interview is “What is the next step in your hiring process?” This gives you an idea of when you will hear back from the company.

It’s important to respect the job hiring process that recruiters go through. If the person that interviewed you told you that a decision will be made by next Wednesday, don’t contact them before this apart from your thank you note. 

You may be really interested in the position, and you want to try to persuade the company that you are the right person for the job. But don’t. It runs the risk of a recruiter perceiving you as a bad listener or disrespectful of other people’s time.

However, let’s say that the recruiter said you could expect to hear back by Wednesday, and it’s now Wednesday afternoon. Well, in that case, it’s time to act. There is nothing wrong with sending a short interview follow-up note to see if the company has made a decision.

I hope all is well with you. I am just following up to see if you have come to a decision regarding the position (Position name). If not, could you please let me know when a decision might be made?

Thank you kindly, and please let me know if you require further information regarding my qualifications.

After you send this email, you should expect a reply within 24 hours. If you don’t get one, your best bet is to give the recruiter a call to inquire about where the company is in the process of making a decision.

What to Do If You Are Invited For a Second Interview

Depending on the company you are interviewing with, you may be asked to come in for a second interview. This often happens with larger companies with more elaborate recruiting systems. However, small companies also use multiple interviews to ensure you are the right fit for their team.

If you receive a phone call or email asking you to come in for a second interview, you want to collect as much information as possible about who you will be speaking with and how it may be different from the first interview.

For example, you will want to ask questions like: 

• “Will I be meeting with the same team members as the other day?”
• “Is there anything specific that I should be ready to discuss?”
• “Should I expect to be tested on any particular skills?” (E.g. computer programming, writing)

Make a note of all of this information and then prepare accordingly.

What to Do When You Are Declined a Position

You will not always get the job you want. It’s hard to fit perfectly into a company’s needs. So don’t take it personally if you are contacted following a job interview and told you didn’t get the job. Instead, treat this as a learning opportunity.

When a recruiter contacts you with the bad news, thank him/her again for the consideration but also ask a couple of questions. First, explain that you would like to improve your interviewing skills and ask for suggestions on how you can interview better in the future. Second, ask if there any qualifications or experiences that would make you a more appealing candidate. 

You may or may not get specific feedback, but there’s a chance you will learn something valuable for future interviews.

What to Do When You Are Offered a Job Position

This depends a great deal on your situation. The recruiter goes through a tough process deciding to offer you a job, but you have a lot to consider as well.

You should realize that when you are offered a job, either by phone or by email, this initiates a process of negotiation. One of the basics of negotiation is that you never want to be taken by surprise since it can lead to an irrational decision. Therefore, when you receive the good news that a company wants to hire you, follow this process:

• Let the recruiter do the talking – Have him/her share as much information as possible regarding salary, benefits, starting date, etc.
• Ask clarification questions – If there is anything that you are unsure about, try to get some clarity.
• Don’t act too fast – The emotion of getting offered a job may push you to want to accept right away. However, recruiters often don’t expect an immediate decision. Therefore, ask when they need you to make a decision. Chances are you will have a day or two to think it over. But if the recruiter wants your decision sooner, try to negotiate at least a couple of hours.

Again, it’s important not to overlook the importance of all the post-interview steps discussed above. And frankly, each of these steps is far less cumbersome than the amount of effort you put into building your resume , writing your cover letter and preparing for an interview . So stay focused and see the process through to the end.

Pro tip: end your thank you email with professional email signature. You can check examples here !

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How to Write a Thank-You Email After an Interview, According to Experts

Have you ever been in this situation?

You go in for an interview, and after a harrowing two hours, walk out feeling relatively confident that you made a good impression. Your  résumé was flawless. Your cover letter was witty and showed passion. Your interview outfit was on point. You thought you really bonded with the team that interviewed you. Nothing could go wrong, right?

Here’s a tip: Want to make sure your writing always looks great? Grammarly can save you from misspellings, grammatical and punctuation mistakes, and other writing issues on all your favorite websites.

What went wrong? You forgot a vital (and oft-overlooked) part of the job search process: the interview thank-you email !

Why Should You Send a Thank You Email or Letter After an Interview?

If you think it’s terrifying being interviewed, you’re not alone. But let me tell you, interviews (especially in-person interviews) can be an equally traumatizing experience from the other side of the table.

I kicked off the search for my first hire at Grammarly earlier this year, and when the first on-site interview came around, I was terrified. Sitting there with my list of questions and my notebook, I tried to simultaneously project confidence, follow my company’s values, ask the right questions, make sure my hair didn’t do anything weird, and (attempt to) mask my nerves.

Sound familiar?

Even if interviews are a vital part of the recruiting process, the first round of the interview process can be awkward for everyone. That’s why it’s key to write a thank you note after the interview—often the process has made them just as uncomfortable as you are! That’s why a killer post-interview thank-you note can help you make a great impression and land the job.

But don’t take my word for it! Lily Zhang, a career expert at MIT, put it this way on The Muse :

Think of it this way: Your interview isn’t over until you send a thank you note. You want to move the hiring managers from interview mindset to decision mindset as quickly as possible, so don’t drag it out.

I asked Olivia Seastrom, a recruiter at Grammarly, what she loves about thank-you notes. She said,

I really like thoughtful, sincere thank you notes after interviews, and I always sent them when I was interviewing. It doesn’t have to be formal, just a nice note to express interest and thank someone for their time.

Additionally, a great thank-you note can make you stand out from the crowd. CareerBuilder determined that only 57 percent of candidates send thank-you notes, and 20 percent of hiring managers would be less likely to hire someone without a thank you. That could mean the difference between a job and a rejection.

When to Send an After Interview Thank You Note

With any important piece of writing , planning is half the battle. Should you follow up over email, in a handwritten notecard, or on social media? And what should you write?

There are two vital factors to consider when writing a thank-you note after an interview: speed and specificity. Thank yous are not “better late than never.” In fact, most interviewers expect an email or letter within a day. That means time is of the essence, and you need to work quickly! As one Glassdoor recruiter puts it, “it is vital to send a thank you email to your interviews within 24-48 hours.”

Even though you must write quickly, you also need to personalize each thank-you note to the interviewer. Gone are the days where I would look at a template thank-you note and consider it worth my time to read. As Valerie LeClair, Grammarly’s Director of Recruiting, once described to me,

Write from the heart! If a candidate is going to write a standardized, impersonal note, there is no reason to even send it.

But don’t panic! Take a deep breath and reflect on your interview experience. Now, ask yourself these idea-generating questions:

• How did the interview go? Did anything weird happen?
• Did I flub on a question I know I have a better answer for?
• Did I forget to ask the interviewer one of my questions?
• Is there something additional this interviewer should know about me?
• Did I discuss anything interesting? Find any similarities to my interviewer?

After you formulate a few ideas (either in your head or on paper), it’s time to think format. If you want to make a truly over-the-top impression, consider a handwritten note. If you had many interviewers or know you have more rounds of interviews to go through, you can probably stick with email. No matter what, avoid a public social media follow-up. As Jenny Foss writes on The Muse :

Who are you trying to thank? The interviewer (this is who you should be trying to thank, directly) or the entire corporation and all of its thousands of followers? Seriously.

Planning Your Interview Thank You Note

By now, you should have a format, deadline, and list of ideas for your thank-you note, and it’s time to slap on your writing hat and get to work. Here are the general principles of a great letter or email.

Be your best self, on paper.

Your cover letter and  résumé were all about representing the best version of your professional self, and this thank-you note should be no different. Don’t resort to overly familiar language just because you’ve met someone in person, but also don’t suddenly become cold and dispassionate. Keep the same tone you would in any other email to the recruiter or hiring manager, and if there’s a place to remind them of your passion for the role, go for it!

The only thing you should avoid in a thank-you is trying to sell yourself once again. You’re writing this note to show you appreciate someone’s time, not to tell them you’re awesome. Remember that.

Keep it short, and mind your structure.

In the same vein, don’t suddenly write a novel about how much you love the company or the person you talked to. You may have many things to tell this recruiter or hiring manager, but try to stick to one main point, question, or fun fact.

Personally, if I’m reading a thank-you email longer than five sentences, I’ve probably started to wonder if the time to read it was worth my investment. Knowing how to write a thank you email after an interview is a valuable skill. Trust me.

How to write a perfect thank you email after an interview: Tips & Templates

I know all of this sounds great in theory, but slamming pen to paper (or fingers to keys) to write a thank you letter after a job interview is a very different matter. Never fear; templates and suggestions are here!

Before I share a general format, I want you to repeat after me: “I solemnly swear not to copy-paste this template into my email.” We’ve already covered why a generic thank you is almost worse than no thank you, but in case you’re not convinced, here’s an infographic to change your mind. That said, a few ideas never hurt, so feel free to steal any of the phrases or sentences below and make them your own! Here’s a great sample thank you email after an interview.

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

[Opening line thanking them.] [Personalized detail about how you enjoyed meeting them, the hiring manager, and/or the team.] [Sentence that adds value to the discussions you had, and shows your passion for the company and position.]

[Sentence about how excited you are to hear from them, that also sets you up to send a follow-up email later.] [Closing sentence that thanks them again, and offers to provide further information.]

[Sign-Off],

[Your Name]

Subject Lines

• Thanks for Chatting Today – Use something like this if you had a phone screen or video interview.
• Nice to Meet You Today – This works well for interviews that take place on site.
• Thanks, and a Question – Have a nagging, relevant question that shows you’re passionate about the role? Use this email to follow up after your interview!
• Thank You for Your Time – Especially good if it was a long interview.
• Many Thanks – Short, sweet, and classic.

Opening Lines

• It was really nice to meet you today.
• Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.
• Thanks for taking the time to introduce me to the team today.
• Thank you so much for your time today.
• Thanks for chatting with me today.

Closing Sentences

• Thank you again for your time, and let me know if there is any further information I can provide to aid in your decision.
• Let me know if there is any more information I can provide. I’d be happy to follow up on any items we discussed today.
• Thanks again for your time. It was great to meet you!
• Thanks again for chatting with me. I am eagerly awaiting next steps.
• All the Best,
• Many Thanks,

Editing Your Work: A Thank-You Email and Letter Checklist

I love to edit all sorts of writing, but I know this isn’t true for everyone! Since editing can be a time-consuming step, here are two checklists you can use to make sure your email is flawless: one for real letters and one for emails. Don’t worry, editing shouldn’t take longer than five minutes, so you’ll still get that email out in time!

If you’re writing a pen-and-paper thank-you note after an interview:

• Did I format this note correctly? If it’s handwritten, can any average person read my handwriting?
• Have I addressed the person I’m thanking correctly? Am I spelling their name right?
• Did I make my point in under five sentences?
• Did I mention a specific topic, common interest, or question relevant to my discussion with this person?
• Did I say “thank you” at some point in the note?
• Did I sign the thank-you letter?
• Did I proofread the note? (Don’t know how to do this? Learn more about proofreading .)
• No really, is the writing flawless?
• Have I addressed the envelope, purchased postage, and mailed the letter within 24-48 hours of the interview?

If you did all of these things, congratulations! You deserve to put your feet up and sip your favorite post-interview beverage (mine’s herbal tea, but you do you).

If you’re writing a thank-you email:

• Did I include a relevant subject line? Is everything spelled correctly there?
• Have I addressed the person I’m thanking correctly? Am I spelling their name and email right?
• Are my signature, email name, and email avatar photo all in alignment to project a professional image?
• Did I use Grammarly to edit this note for correctness, clarity, and word choice? (Don’t have Grammarly? Get the app here. )
• Did I proofread this email?
• Did I hit “Send” within 24-48 hours?

If you did all of these things, congratulations! You deserve to grab a book and a snack and take a break. The hard part is (mostly) over.

Need more help following up after interviews? Check back for more insights next week.

Best Sample Thank You Emails After an Interview (4 Examples)

By Biron Clark

Published: November 1, 2023

After Your Interview

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you’re looking for how to write a professional thank you email or note after your interview, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to share exactly what to do (and NOT do) when thanking the employer, based on my experience as a recruiter . And I’ll give you plenty of sample thank you emails that you can use for inspiration, too! Because the truth is: sending a follow-up message to thank the interviewer is a great idea, but if you don’t send the right type of message, it can do more harm than good. So what you say matters!

Let’s get started…

Do You Need to Send a Thank You Email After an Interview?

It’s recommended that you send a thank you email after each job interview you attend. Doing so shows the employer that you appreciate their time, and just as importantly, that you’re still interested in the position. After attending an interview, the employer isn’t sure that you still want this job (just like you’re not sure if the interview went well and they want to hire you).

So it’s important to write a thank you message to reaffirm your interest in the position and tell them that you’re eager to hear about the next steps. If you don’t say this, they won’t know!

Watch: How to Write an Interview Thank You Email/Note

How to write an interview thank you email/note.

• Begin with a professional or formal greeting (e.g. “Hello Susan,” or “Dear Susan,”)
• Thank the interviewer and tell them that you appreciate their time spent during the job interview
• Mention something specific you talked to them about in the interview, that you enjoyed learning about, so they know that this interview thank you note is written specifically for them
• Reaffirm your interest in the position and tell the reader that you look forward to hearing about the next steps in the hiring process
• Tell the interviewer that they should feel free to contact you if they need any additional information or have follow-up questions in the meantime
• Optional: Include something to reaffirm that you’re confident you can perform well in this role and explain why
• If you interviewed with multiple people in a single day and want to thank them all, send a separate thank you note to each for a more personalized feel

Note that step #6 isn’t 100% necessary to include in a thank you note or thank you email after an interview, but is a nice touch to add. You’ll see these steps in the interview thank you note/email examples below, so don’t worry if you’re still not sure what to write!

As one final tip before we move on, I recommend you ask each person for their business card after an  in-person interview, so that you have their email address and name saved! If you went on a video or phone interview, you can ask for their contact details at the end of the conversation. Simply explain that it’s for the purpose of following up and sending a thank you message.

4 Best Thank You Email Samples After an Interview

Below, you’ll find four good sample thank-you emails. These can also be sent as a typed or handwritten note if you prefer. Later in the article, I’ll cover the pros and cons of sending this via email versus a handwritten thank you letter/note. So if you’re not sure which to send, make sure to read until the end. For now, just know that you can use these sample thank-you emails in both cases.

Sample Interview Thank You Email/Note #1:

Hello <Interviewer’s Name>, Thank you for taking the time to interview me <yesterday/Friday/etc>. I enjoyed our conversation about <specific topic you discussed> and it was great learning about the <Job Title> position overall. It sounds like an exciting opportunity and a role I could succeed and excel at. I’m looking forward to hearing any updates you can share, and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns in the meantime. Best regards, <Your First and Last Name>

This is a short, casual email that’s best for modern industries like tech, e-commerce, digital marketing, etc. This type of short message also makes an ideal thank-you email to a recruiter or HR person after a phone interview or other first-round interview. At that stage, you don’t need to be sending a lot of detail in your thank you letter; you simply want to give thanks and reaffirm your interest.  And modern companies don’t want to see a ten-paragraph, formal thank you letter that takes ten minutes to read. In fact, it might make them want to hire you less because they’ll doubt whether you’re a fit for their company culture . That’s why I recommend keeping your message short and genuine, like the sample above. Even if it’s a second or third-round interview, this type of very short, concise thank-you email can still  be effective. Here’s an example of the type of message I’d personally send if I were job hunting right now:

Example Interview Thank You Email #2:

Hi Daniel, Thank you for your time yesterday. I enjoyed the interview and it was interesting to hear about how the team is expanding and the new types of customers you’re trying to attract. I’m confident that I can take what I’ve learned at <Current Employer’s Name> and step into your role and be successful, so I’m eager to hear your feedback when you have a chance. Don’t hesitate to contact me in the meantime if you have any questions or concerns. Best regards, Biron Clark

However, if you’re in a more traditional or formal industry, or if you want to send a thank you note in the mail rather than email, one of the next two thank you note examples will be better.

Sample Interview Thank You Email/Letter #3:

Hello <Interviewer’s Name>, Thank you for taking the time to speak with me <yesterday/Friday/etc.> about the <Job Title> position at <Company Name>. It was a pleasure talking with you, and I enjoyed learning more about the opportunity. The information you shared about <Something specific about the job that interests you> sounded particularly interesting. I am confident that my skills will allow me to come in and succeed in this role, and it’s a position I’d be excited to take on. I’m looking forward to hearing from you about the next steps, and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any additional information in the meantime. Thank you again. Best regards, <Your First and Last Name>

This example above is a little longer and more formal. You could send this as a handwritten thank you letter after the interview, or as an email. Note that at the end of the third paragraph, you could also add details about WHY you feel confident you’d succeed in this role. Doing this will make your thank you email more convincing to hiring managers . Try to remind them of something you shared in the interview, like a piece of past experience, or a skill you have, that will prove to them you’ll be able to come in and be successful in their role.

Sample Interview Thank You Email/Letter #4:

Dear <Interviewer’s Name>, Thank you for taking the time to meet with me <yesterday/Friday/etc>. I’m very excited about the opportunity to work at <Company Name>. The <Job Title> role sounds exciting and is a position that I’m confident I’d excel in due to my prior experience in <experience or skill that would help you succeed in this job>. I look forward to hearing feedback as soon as you have any updates and would love to continue discussing the opportunity with you at that point. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any additional information in the meantime. Thank you again, <Interviewer’s Name>. Best regards, <Your First and Last Name>

This is the most formal of the three thank-you notes we’ve looked at. Even the greeting is formal… “Dear” instead of “Hello.” Of course, you can adjust the tone/greeting in any of these sample thank-you notes. You could also take pieces from each example and combine them, or add more customization. So if you like one, but feel it’s not formal enough, you can make adjustments. However, in most modern industries, you should be careful not to sound too stiff/formal. Your note should sound genuine. What would you say if you were standing there, thanking them in person? Writing out a thank you note isn’t much different! Most people write very differently than they talk, and that’s usually a mistake in your job search because you end up sounding very robotic and unnatural.

Second Interview Thank You Email

In your thank-you email after a second interview, you can go slightly more in-depth to share what you’ve enjoyed hearing about the role so far, what excites you about the opportunity, and why you’d excel in this job. You should still keep your email relatively short (coming up, I’ll share EXACTLY how long these emails should be in terms of word count). However, once you’ve met with the hiring manager in a second or third interview, it does make sense to write a slightly longer email. Adding more information makes for a more personalized thank-you note. You can even reference relevant information that you discussed with other team members in other interviews, if it’s related to the topics you want to address in your email. See the example below for how to reference a previous conversation if you’ve met with multiple interviewers.

Sample Thank You Email after the Second Interview

Dear James, Thank you for taking the time to meet with me to discuss the Senior Project Manager role. I enjoyed hearing about how the position will balance internal project leadership and client meetings as the company grows. In my previous phone interview, Diana mentioned that my sales background would serve me well in this job opportunity, and after hearing you describe the mix of day-to-day tasks, I can see where my skills would fit in and allow me to make an immediate contribution. I’m confident this role fits my skill set and long-term goals, and I look forward to the next steps in the interview process. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact me if you need any further information. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, Your name

You don’t want to be too long-winded in any post-interview thank-you email, but the example above is the right way to add a bit more detail and stand out after a second or third interview, especially after meeting directly with the hiring manager. To recap, this thank-you note shows that you’re engaged and interested in the interview process, you’re learning details about the role in each interview, and you’re a person who pays attention to details. These are all fantastic traits to show in your job search. Soft skills like these can help you land your dream job, and the follow-up email is a great place to demonstrate these traits.

If you don’t want to mention past conversations in your thank-you message, you don’t have to. Just include the other aspects of the email template above, including:

• Showing gratitude/thanks for the other person’s time
• Demonstrating an understanding of the role and what is expected after you’re hired
• Demonstrating that you’re confident you can perform the role well
• Expressing your continued interest in the job opportunity

That last bullet point above is another reason that it’s so important to follow up by email and thank your interviewer(s) after each interview stage. The hiring team does not assume that every candidate is interested in continuing toward a job offer after the interview. It’s important to communicate this to eliminate any doubt.

Thank You Email Length: How Long Should Your Message Be?

Some samples above are more formal while others are more casual. You’ll notice that they’re all relatively brief, though. In my experience as a recruiter, a short thank you email after the interview is best. On average, I recommend 85 to 150 words.  And that’s true whether you’re writing a thank you email after a phone interview , Zoom/video interview , or a second/third in-person interview. It’s also true whether you’re writing to thank a recruiter, HR person, hiring manager, or anyone else who spent time interviewing you! Your message could go up to 200 words if you’re very far along in the hiring process and have spent multiple hours interviewing with people from the company, but I’d still aim to be brief and concise, rather than sending a full page. Use your best judgement, though. You know your industry and prospective employer, so think about what type of message they’ll appreciate. The advice above is simply what works best for the greatest amount of people, on average.

How Soon to Send a Thank You Email After an Interview

Aim to send your post-interview thank you email the day after your job interview, between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. If your interview was on a Friday, then send your email the same day, in the evening instead of waiting a day. (This is to avoid sending your email on a weekend). Always make sure the email is sent within 24 hours of your interview so that your conversation is still fresh in the interviewer’s mind. If you decide to send your thank you note as a letter in the mail, you should still send it within one or two business days of your job interview. They won’t receive it as soon, because the thank you letter needs to get delivered, but it’s best to send it soon after the interview so the employer receives your note relatively quickly.

Crucial Step: Add Customization to Your Interview Thank You Emails

Whenever sending thank you notes or emails after an interview, be sure to mention a specific topic you discussed with the interviewer, and why you enjoyed discussing it with them. This is the best way to immediately show them that your post-interview thank you email is written especially for them, and not quickly pasted from a generic template.

Customization is key! Even the best thank you email templates or examples will appear to be low-effort (and will NOT impress the interviewer) if you don’t customize them and show that you really wrote this for them . So what types of things can you mention? Here are some ideas…

First, you could mention something interesting you learned about the job or company from them. What caught your attention and sounded exciting about the position? If something sounds great about the role, say so! Or, you could reference one or two of their interview questions and answers you gave in response. For example, if the interviewer asked an interesting question that you enjoyed talking about, you could say:

“I really enjoyed your question about ___ and the discussion that it led to. It was also great learning about how XYZ company does ___”.

Or you could mention something personal they discussed with you! Maybe the interviewer told you they’re going to watch their son at a big basketball tournament that evening. You could say:

“By the way, I hope your son’s team did great at the basketball tournament. How did things turn out?”

As another example, maybe you mentioned that you love coffee, and the interviewer said, “oh, then you HAVE to try Corner House Coffee around the corner. Best coffee in town.” You could write:

“By the way, I tried a latte from Corner House Coffee on the way home, and you were absolutely right. It was the best coffee I’ve had in a long time.”

The bottom line is: The more you customize your email after the interview, the more hiring managers will appreciate it. You’ll notice that each sample email above includes space for customization, and this is why.

Is It Best to Send a Thank You Email or a Note/Letter?

I get asked this frequently: “What’s your opinion on sending a thank you email, versus mailing a thank you letter after your interview?” For most people, I recommend email. There are three reasons why:

• You can make sure it gets delivered at the exact time you want
• It’s easier and takes less time
• It’s more modern and simpler for the company

However, in specific cases, you may want to send a thank you letter in the mail after an interview. A paper thank you note/letter might be better if you’re in a very traditional industry (like wedding planning). Or if you’re interviewing for a very high-level position (like CFO , Head of Operations, etc.). But for most job seekers, I recommend sending a thank you email. One more option to consider: You can write a personalized thank you card and then send a picture of it digitally, either in a LinkedIn message or in an email. That’s a good way to stand out and give a more personalized feel to a digital message.

Before You Send, Proofread EVERYTHING

Email templates are only as good as the effort you put into filling them out and proofreading them. Go over every detail and make sure it actually makes sense for your situation. If not, sending that thank you email or letter will do more harm than good.  Example: In the third sample email earlier in this article, it says, “thank you for taking the time to meet with me.” If you had a phone interview, you should say, “thank you for taking the time to talk on the phone with me.”

Otherwise, it’s going to sound a bit odd, and they might suspect you just cut & pasted from a template. Not good! So be careful, take your time with these sample emails, and make sure every single word makes sense.

Mistakes to Avoid When Sending Post-Interview Thank You Emails

Now you know the basics of how to send a great thank you email after the interview. Let’s cover a few mistakes to avoid now, though. Some of this will be a review if you read everything above, but I want to make sure you don’t do anything that could cost you the job!

First mistake: waiting too long to send it. You really want to send this within 24 hours after your interview. Next, don’t ever copy and paste the same exact email to send to multiple people. They will compare and it looks sloppy/lazy. It takes a lot away from the impact your thank you email will have. Don’t ever put multiple people in the “To” field of the email either. You should be sending one email to one recipient at a time.  Otherwise, it looks lazy/rushed.

And another big mistake: Thinking you don’t need to send an interview thank you email because the person you met wasn’t the official hiring manager. I’d recommend sending one any time you had a face-to-face interview with someone. (Or even a video interview.) Everyone’s opinion can count and the hiring manager can ask everyone what they thought of you. Don’t pick and choose who “deserves” a thank you email. Send it to everyone you’ve met face to face and play it safe!

One more minor mistake: Not asking for business cards after you meet each person during a day of interviewing. Getting business cards from each person you met with during the interview is the easiest way to keep track of names and email addresses so you can thank them later via email.  So make a habit of asking for this after each conversation!

Subject Lines for Thank You Email After Interview

Use any of the following subject lines when sending your professional thank you email, whether to a recruiter, hiring manager, or other company representative.

• Thank you for your time
• Thanks for your time
• Thank you for your time on <day>
• Following up on our conversation
• A follow-up (and brief thank you!)
• Thank you for meeting with me!
• I enjoyed our meeting

If you follow the advice above, you’ll have a great thank you email or letter to help you stand out and land the job! And finally, if you thank the employer but don’t receive feedback after a week, read this guide on how to follow up for feedback after your interview .

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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How to Send a Follow-up Email After a Job Interview

2-week notice resignation letter (copy and paste), should you call after an interview, how to decline a job offer (4 examples), how long to hear back after an interview, how to know you got the job: 7 clues, when do employers check references, is 2 weeks notice required (and what happens if you don’t give notice), 45 thoughts on “best sample thank you emails after an interview (4 examples)”.

Is it too late to send a letter of thank you after 4 days of interview for a job. Let me hear your opinion about this. Anyway I would go and send it. Thanks.

I would wait at this point, Stephen. I think it’s a bit late. However, if and when you circle back to ask if they’ve made a decision, you could start by thanking them and telling them that you were excited by what you learned in the interview, and that you’re eager to hear about the next steps.

Thank you very much for the well explained notes,i really appreciate, it was helpful.With this information i have learnt a lot.With no doubt i am going to use this after each and every interview that am going to attend in my life.

should I rename the email title or just leave it as it was: interview invitation

Hello! I recently had an interview with three interviewers present. Unfortunately, I only have one e-mail address and reaching out via phone to each interviewer is the only way to get the e-mail addresses. Should I send one e-mail with all three names or is there something else I should do?

Should I still send a thank you email even when the hiring manager said they’ll let me know the next day or the following day at the latest.

Hi Alex. I would.

I just did an oral examination that uses the point system. They did not have my resume or my supplemental questionnaire, nor did they want it since the meeting was to score my responses to the questions asked. Should I send a thank you email to at least let them know I appreciated their time and meeting them?

Sure, it can’t hurt. If you met someone face to face, I like the idea of thanking them and letting them know you appreciate their time. (Like you said, basically).

Just wanted to say thank you for all of the helpful information on obtaining my dream job! I did used a lot of your tips & suggestions on interviews & they paid off! I was out of a permanent position since 2017 & totally discouraged about it. Since I’m in the “older generation” Read your helpful interview tips & information & put them to the test. They were on point! I got it on my own, instead of going through an agency like I have in the past.

What if you forget to send a thank you email and miss the window of opportunity to send a thank you email, to the first person you interview with, but somehow end up getting a call for a second interview with a different hiring manager. Do I send two separate emails? A thank you email to the first hiring manager and a thank you email to the second hiring manager?

Just send one to the latest hiring manager you spoke with, after the second interview. It’s too late for the first one, and it doesn’t matter now since they invited you back to interview anyway

Great information, Thank You!!

Great info thanks a million

Thank you have interview today and nervous

Very useful tips. Many thanks.

If there was more than one person conducting the interview, is it ok to send one email to both of them?

Edit: I misread this.

No. Do not send one email to two people. That’s going to look lazy. If you want to thank both people, send separate emails.

Just personalize the “thank you” email and mention something specific to each person (something you enjoyed hearing about, etc.) so they know it’s not cut & paste if they compare emails or are sitting next to each other in the office.

Should I send the post interview thank you letter as an attached word document, or have the email be the actual thank you letter?

Hi Benjamin- great question. I’d usually recommend just writing it in the actual email, and that’s what I’d do myself. Hope this helps!

If I met with more than 4 people on my interview, would you send the thank you email to each individually or include them all in one email??

Don’t include them all in one. Send it separately.

I recently jus came from an interview that didnt really go as planned . i was entirely too nerous but the supervisor seemed to really like me. Should i send a thank you email ? and if so do i point out the bad? or try to re-sell myself?

I’d just send a regular “thank you” email like this article describes. Don’t try to do more than that :) Good luck.

This was exactly the simple inspiration needed!!!

Hello, I enjoyed the examples and will be using them in future interviews. What if you interview for a panel that uses a point system for hiring. The thank you is pretty much not going to help in that instance correct? I interviewed for a state agency that uses the point system should I still send the thank you email?

I’m not sure, Heather. I haven’t deal with employers using a point system. I can almost guarantee they don’t always hire the person who ends up with the most points, though. A lot goes into a hiring decision.

I had a phone interview with multiple interviewers. I did not ask for all their email addresses. However, when the Hiring Manager was setting up the interview, he sent a common email to all of us. Do you think it will be ok to copy email addresses from that email and send a thank you note?

Will it consider as a negative point in the hiring process, if I send a thank you email after a good couple of days?

Not sure which one to use after having a interview with a Branch Manager?!

I’d use the thank you email that sounds the most like how you’d write/talk. Pick the one that feels the most natural. If you’re in a more traditional industry, like banking/finance, a longer template might be well-received.

Best regards, Biron

Do I need to send a thank you email when I have a pre-screen call interview?

Probably not. I wouldn’t.

If you have an interview and then a second interview, when do you send the thank you? Or do you send a thank you after each interview?

I’d send these “thank you” emails after each interview, assuming you met with somebody new. Basically, the first time you interview with a specific person, it’s nice to thank them for their time.

Thank you very much, great article and very helpful.

What if you don’t have the interviewers direct email address? Do you send it through the HR Manager who set up the email?

I recommend asking every person you meet with for a business card, so you do have their email address. In this case, I’d ask HR for the interviewer’s email and tell them that you’d like to briefly thank them for meeting with you. If the HR person refuses, you can send them the brief thank you email directly and ask them to pass it along for you.

Should you take it personal if no one responds to your thank you email?

No. Don’t overthink it. Keep applying for jobs and focusing on your actions.

No you should not. Sometimes they’re very busy and don’t have time to respond to every thank you email. Good luck

Sample #2 error “I’m looking forwarding to hearing”

Thanks for taking the time to comment and let me know. Fixed it!

Where does it say that?

Thank you for the email and notes examples. I will definitely use them after my interview.

Wish me luck!

Best Regards,

Short thank you note is always in fashion – burning bridges is only counterproductive ;)

Comments are closed.

How to Write a Thank You Email After Your Interview (Samples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Alright. You’ve met with the hiring manager, answered a slew of questions, asked a few of your own, and made your way out of the door. There’s nothing left to do but wait, right?

Now, it’s time for one of the most critical steps: the thank you email after your interview.

Why is a short thank you email after an interview crucial? Well, there are a few reasons. It lets you express your appreciation, showcase your enthusiasm, and make a standout final impression.

In some cases, you can even use this brief message to fix an interview mistake after the fact. To put it simply, that’s an opportunity you don’t often get, so you don’t want to waste it.

Plus, not sending one is a major faux pas. In fact, around one-in-five hiring managers discard a candidate because they didn’t send a thank you note. And, since about 31 percent of job seekers don’t always send one (and 7 percent never do), you’re increasing your odds of landing the role dramatically just by writing an email.

But a thank you email can only do those things if yours is amazing. You really have to nail that handful of paragraphs if you want to separate yourself from the competition. So, do you want to make sure yours are some of the most impressive the hiring manager’s ever seen?

Let’s take a look at what you have to do to shine like the fantastic candidate you know you are.

What Is a Thank You Email?

A thank you email is exactly what it sounds like it is, a message showcasing your gratitude. In that regard, it’s a basic form of follow-up after what is usually a lengthy, but introductory, conversation.

But it’s also more.

This email is a chance to reiterate your interest in the role, highlight a relevant achievement. You can use it to refresh the hiring manager’s memory or demonstrate that you were paying attention when information was shared with you.

Now, at the core, a thank you email is about appreciation. That has to be the focus, now and always. Leveraging it into something else requires skill and care.

So, let’s take a look not just at what a thank you email after an interview is, but what it can potentially be.

Details of a Thank You Email

Every thank you email features specific components, a particular structure that makes it what it is. While that sounds complicated, it isn’t. Here’s an overview of what you need to include:

• Subject line
• Personal greeting
• Expression of appreciation
• Affirming your interest in the job
• Referencing a specific while highlighting capabilities
• Offering access to new information
• Tapping on next steps
• Professional sign-off

While that seems like a lot, you can usually cover it in a handful of paragraphs. Each one of those doesn’t have to be its own paragraph; those are just the points you want to touch on. When you write thank you emails, you want to embrace brevity. By doing so, you can keep your email succinct while covering all of the bases.

Thank You Email Etiquette

Not long ago, the idea of sending a thank you note via email was unheard of. Luckily, today, about 87 percent of hiring managers are fine with digital appreciation. That means, no emergency trip to the post office to find a stamp (and an envelope, and maybe a thank you card) to get your note out.

However, don’t think you can take it further and say “thx for intrvw!” over text instead. Sure, it would be super convenient – suggesting you have the hiring manager’s cell number – but it’s in no way appropriate. The same goes for a message over social media, so don’t go sliding into anyone’s DMs either.

Alright, while important, that technically was post-interview etiquette, not thank you email etiquette. So, let’s get back on track, shall we?

First, understand that a thank you email needs to be professional. This is still part of the hiring process, so you want to maintain the right tone.

Second, get to the point quickly. You want to cover all of the critical bases while also being concise. Don’t ramble about anything, especially if it isn’t relevant to the interview, position, or your career.

Third, don’t send a group email to every interviewer. You need to send a separate email to each one, personalizing the content slightly. That way, your gratitude for each person’s participation is clear.

Finally, be sincere. Your appreciation needs to be genuine. If it sounds canned, it won’t come across as authentic, and that will work against you.

How to Write a Thank You Email

We’ve already tapped on the basic structure of a thank you email. Now, let’s take a closer look at each part.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Thank You Emails

1. subject line.

Your subject line determines whether the hiring manager even opens your email, making it surprisingly important. Think about it, how many messages do you delete without even reading just because the subject line is sketchy, salesy, or something similar. Probably quite a few.

Keep it reasonably short and straightforward. For example, “Thank you for the chance to interview for [position title]” is a no-fail approach. It lets the hiring manager know exactly what to expect if they click your message, increasing the odds that they’ll actually open it.

2. Personal Greeting

Don’t just jump into the core of your message. And don’t use something generic, like “hiring manager.” Instead, address the hiring manager by name.

3. Expression of Appreciation

You’re writing a thank you note, so expressing your gratitude is step one once you hit the body of the email. Let the hiring manager know you appreciate them taking the time to meet with you, to discuss the role, or to consider you for the opportunity. That way, you’re setting the right tone immediately.

4. Affirming Your Interest in the Job

After you shower the hiring manager with appreciation, reaffirm your interest in the role. Showcase your eagerness for the opportunity, removing any doubt in their mind as to whether you’re legitimately interested.

Okay, but what should you do if you don’t want the job? Do you still need to say you do? Well, to answer your questions, no, you don’t have to pretend to want it. Instead of saying you want the position, let them know you’d like to remove yourself from contention. You don’t have to give too many details, so feel free to keep it brief and professional.

5. Referencing a Specific While Highlighting Capabilities

Once you restate your interest, you want to showcase yourself as a strong contender. However, you want to be subtle. Start by identifying something you learned from the hiring manager about the position or company that captured your attention, such as a challenge the role would help the organization overcome. Then, briefly reference a skill or trait that you could use to help the company achieve its goals in relation to that tidbit.

This is also the area where you could correct a misstep if you made one during the interview. For example, if you forgot to mention a relevant credential, you could tie it into this content. If you need to address a blunder, identify it briefly (without apologizing) and provide helpful information.

However, only use the latter approach with caution. You are essentially reminding the hiring manager that you messed up, and that isn’t always a smart move. Unless what you add after mentioning the error provides the hiring manager with real value, it may be best to learn from the experience and move on without discussing it.

6. Offering Access to New Information

At this point, you are in the wrap-up stage. Let the hiring manager know that you’re happy to provide more information or answer any questions if it’s needed.

7. Tapping on Next Steps

It’s smart to use a sentence to confirm any next steps. If you have a timeline for the next contact, either that you’re or they are supposed to initiate, mention it. Otherwise, let the hiring manager know you’re looking forward to the upcoming phase and hope to hear from them soon.

8. Professional Sign-Off

When you’re signing off, thank the hiring manager again. Then, go with a simple “Sincerely” before adding your name and your contact information. Once that’s in place, you’re done.

Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Thank You Emails

Not only is it important to figure out who to write a thank you email after an interview, but it’s also critical to know what you shouldn’t do. Small missteps can carry big consequences with them, especially since this short message serves as the last impression you might make before the hiring manager makes a decision.

No pressure, right?

So, what shouldn’t you do? Well, let’s start at the top.

When you write a thank you email after your interview, don’t get cute with your subject line. Now isn’t the time for jokes, puns, or weirdness. The hiring manager is busy, and they probably get a ton of messages, so make sure your subject line is ridiculously clear.

What’s another biggie? Getting long-winded. You need to be concise. In most cases, your entire email shouldn’t have more than a few paragraphs, and each one of them should be very short, typically around two or three sentences. If you’re going on longer than that, reread the email and edit the heck out of it.

Additionally, remember, a thank you email isn’t about you; it’s about them. You need to focus on how you can make the hiring manager’s life easier, not what they can do for you.

Finally, you might think that if you aren’t interested in the job, you can skip this whole mess. Well, you could, but that would be a mistake. Just alter the content a bit, letting the hiring manager know you appreciate their time, but don’t feel like it’s a great match. That way, you aren’t burning a bridge, and you ensure the hiring manager doesn’t waste their time moving forward with a candidate who won’t accept if they receive an offer.

Thank You Email After Your Interview Samples

If you’re looking for some thank you email after your interview samples, here are a few worth checking out.

Sample 1. Standard Approach

Subject: Thank you for the software developer interview

Hello, Mr. John Doe,

Thank you for taking the time to meet and discuss the software developer position with ABC Company. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the organization, the role, and your needs.

Our conversation left me excited about the possibility of joining your team. I was especially intrigued by your upcoming development project. As we discussed during the interview, in my current role, I oversaw a project with a similar objective that was ultimately successful, coming in on time and under budget. I believe my project management expertise could streamline the process and help your company achieve similar results.

If you require any additional information, please feel free to contact me at any time. I’m looking forward to hearing about any next steps next Wednesday, as we’ve previously discussed.

Thank you again for your time and consideration,

Your name & contact info

Sample 2. Adding New Information

Subject: Thank you for the interview, Mrs. Jane Doe

Mrs. Jane Doe,

Thank you for meeting with me yesterday and discussing the content marketing position at ABC Company. I enjoyed learning more about your organization and its goals, as well as how this role can spur business growth.

ABC Company’s dedication to creativity and innovation only confirmed my interest in the position. I was considering what you said regarding the customer acquisition challenge ABC Company was facing and the social media campaign that was on the horizon, and feel I can better address it now.

In my current position, I was able to leverage my content creation skills to enhance engagement across several key platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This led to a significant uptick in conversions, leading to a 20 percent improvement in the company’s growth rate. I’m sure I could leverage my experience to create similar results for ABC Company.

If you require any additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the position at your earliest convenience.

Thank you again for your time.

Sample 3. Removing Yourself from Contention

Subject: Thank you for the interview today

Mr. John Doe,

Thank you for interviewing me for the accounting manager position at ABC Company. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to consider me for the role.

However, after further thought, I do not believe it is an ideal fit for me at this time. As a result, I would like to withdraw my application.

It was a pleasure meeting with you and learning more about your organization. Thank you again for your consideration, and I wish you success in locating your ideal candidate for this role.

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, a thank you email after your interview can be a make it or break it moment. Luckily, you have all of the tips above to get you moving in the right direction. Make the most of everything you’ve learned. Before you know it, you’ll be writing stellar thank you emails that ensure you’ll stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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This Is The Most Effective Post-Interview Thank You Email

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“It was a pleasure speaking with you today. Thank you for the recommendation to read The Power of Less, maybe we can trade notes when you're done with Tribes! We will be in touch about next steps soon.”

That was part of a reply I received to a post-interview thank you email I wrote to a VP of sales. Four hours after receiving that reply, I got a call from the recruiter offering me a job.

A month after I was hired, I had a one-on-one with that VP and the first question she asked me was about the books we recommended to each other.

Leading up to the thank you email, we had spent 40 minutes on the phone together talking through introductions, behavioral questions, and case studies to see if I was a good fit for the role. While that conversation factored into the decision, my answers weren't what stood out in her mind.

It was the personal touch that stuck.

As a candidate, you want to be focused on two things during the job search:

• Building relationships with people who can influence the hiring decision
• Standing out from all of the other candidates vying for this job

The post interview thank you email is a highly effective (and incredibly easy) tactic that covers both bases. It's also overlooked by 76% of job seekers. Talk about low hanging fruit!

After interviewing at dozens of companies with over 100 people, I've had the chance to send (and test) plenty of thank you notes. This article will walk you through the template I've found to be the most effective and helped me land jobs at leading companies like Google, Microsoft, Twitter, and more.

In this post, we'll cover:

Why A Post-Interview Thank You Email Matters

• How To Follow Up After An Interview — The Basics Of A Great Thank You Email (With Answered FAQ)
• How To Write A Thank You Interview Email: A Step-By-Step Guide
• Post-Interview Thank You Email Templates & Examples

2 Common Thank You Email Mistakes To Avoid

• The Most Effective Email Template
• How To Follow Up If You Haven't Heard Back From Your Interview

Before we get technical, it's important to understand why writing a thank you note is important in the first place.

Most people think their interview is over when they walk out of the building. Whether they absolutely crushed it or things didn't go according to plan, it's out of their hands now, right?

Not so fast.

Hiring managers at top companies pay very close attention to how and when their candidates follow up . Most are expecting some sort of thank you and failing to send one could actually cost you the job.

The data reveals that close to 80% of hiring managers feel that thank you emails are helpful when deciding between candidates. 22% of employers are   less likely to hire a candidate who does  not  send a thank you and 91% actually  like  being thanked  (imagine that!).

In addition to playing into your potential employer's expectations, thank you emails are an easy way to stand out from the competition. Despite all of the data above, only 24% of job seekers actually take the time to send a thank you note after their interview.

Part 1: How To Follow Up After An Interview — The Basics Of A Great Thank You Email (With Answered FAQ)

Before we dive into our post-interview thank you email templates and examples, we're going to walk through the fundamentals of sending a thank you note that will boost your chances of landing the job offer.

Should I Email, Call, Or Hit Them Up On Twitter?

If you run a Google search for “interview thank you notes,” you'll get all sorts of suggested mediums for sending – email, phone calls, Twitter, text messages, and even handwritten notes.

All of these can get the job done but we want to choose the method that's going to make things fast and easy for the interviewer on the other end.

Rather than sliding into their DMs, the data shows that interviewers prefer receiving thank you notes via email (with phone calls coming in at a close second):

When you're in the room on interview day, it's much more natural to ask for someone's email than their phone number. On top of that email allows you to spend time crafting your response and you can track them using a tool like Yesware to help gauge interest.

For those reasons, I recommend sending all of your thank you notes via email.

“But what if I forgot to ask for their email and don't have it?”

No problem! There are plenty of tools out there that make it super easy to track down someone's email address. My favorite is Mailscoop.io .

All you need is the person's full name and the link to their company's website (so if they work at Spacex, it would be www.spacex.com) and Mailscoop will spit it out in just a few seconds:

After you've got your hands on their email, you can head over to Mail Tester , or another email testing website, and plug it in to verify that it exists on the company's email server. If it does, you're good to go!

If all else fails, you can always email your recruiter and ask them for the person's contact info. Sure, it's best to get it upfront but you're better off swallowing your pride to send your thank you email than sending nothing at all.

When Is The Best Time To Send A Follow Up Email After An Interview?

This is a question I get a lot.

When it comes to following up with hiring managers, posting articles on social media, or sending breaking news to a contact, timing is everything and there is a science behind it.

When it comes to thank you notes, the golden rule is simple:

Q – The Best Time To Send Your Thank You Note? A – As quickly as you can while still allowing yourself enough time to craft a quality email!

If you're a numbers person, shoot for 30 minutes – 2 hours after the interview, but don't pull your hair out if you can't get it out until later in the day. Life gets in the way and it's far more important to send it later than not send it at all.

What Subject Line Should You Use For Your Interview Thank You Note?

Sometimes coming up with a subject line can be the hardest part of writing an email! In this case, you don't need to go crazy — something short and to the point will do just fine. My recommendations are:

• Thank you for your time today [Name]
• Following up on our interview today
• It was great speaking with you

Any of those will do the trick!

These are all short, sweet, and leave no room for confusion. If you're really struggling to come up with something, feel free to borrow one of them.

Should You Send A Handwritten Note?

Sending a handwritten note is a great way to make sure your thank you stands out, but it takes time. If you're able to get your email sent within the first 24 hours, you're better off doing that.

If you're set on sending a handwritten note, my number one piece of advice is to use good old fashion snail mail.

Sending a thank you via USPS is going to take a few days, but it will almost certainly be a lot harder to ignore.

How Long Should A Thank You Email Be?

Your interviewer is likely busy. So, try to keep your post interview thank you email short and sweet. 80-150 words in 2-3 concise paragraphs are all you need.

Can you write less? Maybe. But there’s a good chance that your short email will sound generic or lack some key ingredients.

Part 2: How To Write A Thank You Interview Email — A Step-By-Step Guide

Now that we’ve got the basics covered, it’s time we dig in to the anatomy of a thank you interview email! 

You’ll want to…

#1 Express Your Appreciation

Let the interviewer know exactly what you’re thankful for. Perhaps you’re thankful for their time or for meeting with you. But those things are pretty generic, right?

Instead, be specific about a part of the interview you actually enjoyed. For example, maybe your interviewer told you about one of the company’s new programs or projects. How has learning about that program or project made you more excited about potentially working at this company?

Here’s an example of how you would build your introduction: 

“Hi, James! Thank you for our conversation earlier today. I really enjoyed learning more about EcoWise’s plan to launch a new app for consumers to track their renewable solar energy credits, and I am eagerly excited to improve the app’s UX if selected for the role.”

Once you’re done with this introduction, be sure you…

#2 Personalize The Message

Your interviewer may get thank you emails from other candidates. And you don’t want your email to sound like all the others. So, you must personalize the message.

How do you do that? For one, you address the interviewer by name. But you should also mention specific details about things you and the interviewer talked about.

Picking up the example above, you could go with something like: 

“In my previous role at BrainBloom, I helped increase user retention by 30% by designing an interactive chatbot assessing users’ most searched topics within the app. I think we can work on something similar for EcoWise’s app.”

For example, you can briefly share an idea of how you would solve a company challenge that the interviewer mentioned during your conversation. If you haven’t already, it could also be a good time to share a Value Validation Project to really demonstrate your interest and ability to solve a specific problem.

#3 Wrap Up And Express Your Enthusiasm For Next Steps

Wrap up by expressing you’re looking forward to continuing your conversation the next steps.

In our example, this would look something like: 

“I look forward to discussing this further in the next steps! Best wishes,  Willie Sherman”

But don’t hit “send” just yet! First, you’ll want to make sure you…

#4 Proofread Everything!

Last, but certainly not least, is proofreading every single detail of your thank you email before you send it!

If you're writing your thank you note in something like Gmail, I definitely recommend installing a plugin like Grammarly  or Hemingway . They will catch any spelling errors  and make suggestions for better grammar to help improve your writing.

Once you have your final draft in front of you, read it out loud! Then send it to a friend to get a double confirmation. If everything looks good after that, you're all set to send!

Let’s recap on what a great thank you interview email looks like:

Part 3: Post-Interview Thank You Email Templates & Examples

Now that we've covered the basics of great thank you notes, we can dive into the science behind writing one that will stand out from the crowd and get you hired.

We'll start by calling out two common thank you email templates that you should avoid . These are email templates that everyone ends up using because they're easy and average. Our goal is to stand out — to zig while everyone else zags — which means we don't want boring, boilerplate templates.

Next, I'll walk you through the methodology behind my thank you email strategy. I'll show you how to craft an email that will set you apart from the competition and bump you up on the interviewer's short list. Then you can get a copy of my post-interview thank you email template along with several thank you email examples from real people in my community!

Now, let's dive into the science behind writing a thank you note that helps you build a relationship with your interviewer and stand out from other candidates.

We'll start by looking at the mistakes most candidates make when sending their post-interview thank you emails.

When it comes to thank you's, the most common formats tend to fall into two buckets:

Bad Email #1 (Don't Use This!) Dear Mr. Last Name: I enjoyed speaking with you today about the assistant account executive position at [Company].  The job seems to be an excellent match for my skills and interests. 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, Name

This email showcases zero personality and is so painfully formal that it can actually come off as unprofessional. You just spent an hour in a room trying to build a relationship with this person, you want your thank you note to be a reflection of your conversation!

Here's what the second most common email looks like:

Bad Email #2 (Don't Use This, Either!) Hi Name, Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I really enjoyed speaking with you about the position and am looking forward to next steps. Best, Your Name

While this is far better than Email #1, it leaves a lot on the table. Again, after chatting with someone for an hour, you should have a little bit more to say than “thanks, hope to hear from you soon!”

Remember, your thank you note is a huge opportunity for you to stand out, continue building a relationship with your interviewer, and cement that positive association in their mind.

We want to make sure we're doing everything we possibly can to capitalize on those three things.

Click Below To Get My “Copy & Paste” Post Interview Email Template Completely Free: Download A Free Copy Of My Proven Thank You Email Template

A Great Thank You Note Starts During The Interview

In order to maximize the value we deliver with our thank you note, we need to gather as much information as we possibly can during the interview.

These details come from the small talk you make before the interview starts, the conversations sparked by your answers or your resume, and the questions you ask your interviewer .

This is more of an art than a science and truly a case of practice makes perfect. Here are some pointers to get you started:

• There is always a few minutes of small talk before the interview starts – use that to spark up a conversation. For example, if it's a Monday or Tuesday, ask how their weekend went. If it's Wednesday – Friday, ask if they have plans for the upcoming weekend.
• If they begin talking, ask follow up questions. The longer you can get them to continue, the more information you get and the higher the odds of them creating a positive association with you in their brain .
• At the end of the interview, have questions prepared ( here's a list of my favorites ). I always end an interview by asking them about their personal life outside of work.

The more personal information you get during the interview, the more ammo you have to include in your thank you note.

Remember the response I quoted in the opening paragraph of this post?

That VP had asked me about a book I read recently that made an impact on me. As soon as I answered, I asked her the same question. I hadn't read the book she mentioned, but I was very familiar with the author (Seth Godin).

I followed that up by asking her what she likes to read ( “are you a non-fiction only kind of person?” ) and how she finds the time to read with her crazy schedule.

Those two follow up questions sparked a conversation that lasted 15 minutes and helped me build a rapport.

In my thank you note, I mentioned that I ordered the book and appreciated the recommendation. A week later (after reading it), I followed up with her and mentioned my two favorite points the author made.

The mention in the thank you note helped me land the job and the follow up helped me start my new career with a fan in upper management.

If you want to ace your thank you note, you’ll need to bring in your a-game during the interview. This guide will help you effectively prepare for your next interview and walk out this amazing inputs for your thank you note!

The Most Effective Thank You Email Template

As mentioned above, I went on 50+ interviews and spoke to well over 100 people during the course of my job search. That meant a lot of thank you notes and, better yet, a lot of opportunities to test what format works best.

After all was said and done, the template below is the one my data showed to be most effective. I measured “effectiveness” by the percentage of people who replied as well my success rate for scoring a slot in the next round of interviews (or getting the offer).

What To Include

To start, we lead off with our “thank you.” It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many people fail to actually include the words “ thank you ” in their note, (seriously, I see this a surprising amount with the people I coach). Instead of actually saying it, they imply it  by saying stuff like “great chatting with you.”

People are busy, especially as you get further up the food chain. Their time is valuable and it goes a long way to acknowledge that. So don't just imply it, write out the words!

Next, we make a point to show them that we listened and understood.

Full attention is a rare thing in today's world and people like interviewers expect to get it from you. By recapping a point that you spoke about in your conversation, it shows that you were listening and engaged.

Bonus points if you add in an action you took based on the conversation, or share a relevant (and quality) piece of content!

Then, at the end of the email, we do the exact same thing by taking a personal angle in the PS. For best results, mention taking action against advice your interviewer gave you, illustrate your results, and finish with a follow up question.

This helps solidify your level of engagement in the interviewer's mind and keeps the door open to continue the conversation and build the relationship.

Now that you understand why each piece of the thank you email puzzle is important, let's check out a few examples of what an awesome post-interview thank you email looks like:

My Post-Interview Thank You Email Template & Examples

Click below to get a free copy of my proven Thank You email template, along with real-world examples of Thank You notes that worked. All you need to do is copy, paste, fill in the blanks, and hit send!

Click Below To Get My “Copy & Paste” Post Interview Email Template For Free: Download A Free Copy Of My Proven Thank You Email Template

How To Follow Up If You Haven't Heard Back After Your Interview

When it comes to getting the result you want (a job offer), persistence is key.

Sending a post-interview thank you email is always a must, but your work doesn't end there.

Hiring teams are  busy – they're interviewing other candidates, they're corralling colleagues for feedback, and (most importantly) they're still doing their jobs! Sometimes things fall through the cracks. While it's not ideal, we're all human and it happens.

If you want to boost your chances, you need to follow up.

Following Up When You Haven't Heard Back

The key to a great follow up is being politely persistent without being overbearing.

First, check back to see if the hiring team gave you a timeline. If the recruiter said, “we'll get back to you in a couple of weeks,” don't send a follow up one week later. Respect the timeline, but don't be afraid to follow up right when it ends.

Set a reminder in your phone or calendar for two weeks!

If you didn't get a clear timeline, my rule of thumb is to follow up every five business  days.

Austin's Five Day Follow Up Rule

My rule of thumb is to follow up every 5 business days when you haven't heard back and haven't been given a timeline.

Here's a quick email template you can use:

Hi [Name], I hope you are having a great week! I wanted to reach out and express my continued interest for the [Job Title] role. I know this is a busy time and I completely understand that there is a lot going into this decision. If there's anything else I can do or provide that would be helpful, please let me know! Best, [Your Name]

Updated Follow Up Email Template For Uncertain Times

If there's one thing COVID-19 has taught us, it is that unforeseen events can arise at any time. Whether it's a pandemic, an economic crisis, or acts of God, we will want to change the language in our emails.

The tests I've run with my clients have shown that following up with empathy is what works in uncertain times.

Here is the interview follow up email template you can use:

Hi [Name], I hope you are doing alright given everything that’s happening right now. I know this is an uncertain time and that there is a lot to deal with both personally and professionally. With everything going on, I completely understand that there may be delays in responses and/or with the process. Please take the time you need and stay safe. I did want to reach out to let you all know that I am still very excited about this opportunity. If there is anything I can do or provide that would be helpful, please let me know. I’m sending my best to you, your family, and your colleagues. Best, [Your Name]

There you go! You should be all set to send an awesome thank you email  and  stay on top of the company to make sure you're top of mind and standing out from the crowd.

If you missed it earlier, here's a link to my post-interview thank you email template complete with multiple examples:

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Austin Belcak

Austin is the founder of Cultivated Culture where he helps people land jobs without connections, without traditional experience, and without applying online. His strategies have been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, & Fast Company and has helped people just like you land jobs at Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, & more.

22 thoughts on This Is The Most Effective Post-Interview Thank You Email

Incredible piece of advice! You’re definitely a career strategist. I tried this strategy and it worked, and I’m happy. Thank you!

Awesome Maito! I’m so happy to hear it helped you score the offer 🙂

That’s what i needed the most right now because every time after my interview i always wonder what to write and how to write it, so thanks a lot for helping me out here and i am sure i am going to bookmark this for sure. cheers to this article.

I’m super happy to hear it Ritesh! I know it can be confusing trying to figure out how and when to follow up – I’m glad the article helped clear things up!

Nicely done. Thanks. Constructive feedback: I think you have “and causation doesn’t imply correlation” reversed.

Good catch, thanks!

Well written and very helpful!!

Appreciate it Trent!

That’s a great article and i was searching for this content because i didn’t know that doing follow up after applying for job is have this much importance so i was looking for how to do follow up process, thanks a lot for letting us know.Going to bookmark this for sure.

I enjoyed visiting your webiste. I leave comments rarely, but you definately up deserve a thumbs!

Easy to check out, easy to read…heck I had formed to leave a commment!

Ha! I see you what you did with “bad email #1.” I actually read that email example on another site and thought “should I really be that formal after having such a great interview? Let me see if other websites agree.” Thank you for confirming my suspicion.

Haha I didn’t have the “don’t use this” at first and people were actually using that template Jeremy – glad you made your way to the right one 🙂

Very helpful, specific and easy-to-implement advice. Much appreciated!!

You got it!

Any advice on writing a thank you email after totally blowing a interview? I was so nervous I don’t think I answered anything they asked me. After walking out the door a moment of clarity hit me and I wanted to go back in. Is there any way to ask for a do-over?

really helpful, love your insight, and thanks for sharing Austin!

You got it Jon!

I just went on an interview. It was first in 9 years and after the interview I went to look up When is the best time to send a thank you follow up letter? Well it was with in 24hrs and I landed up on your site and I found out I did not ask enough questions. How can I rectifty that in my thank you letter? I am going to write my letter and hope you get back to me soon, but if not I will do my best with what I read in your article so that I can send it off in a timely manner. I know now for next time what to ask. Hopfully my thank you letter will set me apart from the crowd and will win me this position. Thank you for your site. It’s very informative.

Hey Carla, that’s ok! The thank you template here is best case scenario. Not everyone is going to remember to ask those questions or get all the info! The best thing you can do right now is send a thank you email as soon as possible. Thank them for their time, tell them that you enjoyed meeting them, and you’re looking forward to next steps.

Greate article. Keep writing such kind of info on your blog.

Im really impressed by it. Hey there, You have done a great job. I will certainly digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this website.

Thanks so much, I appreciate it!

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• Career Advice
• 7 Rejection Letter Samples to...

7 Rejection Letter Samples to Send to Unsuccessful Applicants

10 min read · Updated on December 08, 2023

Simplify the rejection notification process with these sample rejection letters

Whenever you hire a new employee, it almost always means that you selected them over other applicants. Obviously, the courteous thing to do is to let each of them know that you've decided not to offer them employment. But how should you notify them that they've been passed over for the position? For many companies, the answer is simple: send them a clear and professional rejection letter that confirms your decision. Unfortunately, writing those letters is not always the easiest thing to do.

In this post, we'll explain why rejection letters are important and offer some tips to help you craft your own rejection letter templates. We'll then provide seven sample employment rejection letters that you can customize to fit your company's needs.

Why send out a job rejection letter?

Obviously, sending out rejection letters to applicants does take up precious time, but there are good reasons why companies do this. First, a polite rejection notice is considered good etiquette, since it lets the candidate know that the job has been filled. That confirmation shows that you respect their time enough to help them avoid wasting it on a job that's no longer available. It also helps to avoid any candidate confusion by helping them to understand why they weren't selected for hire.

Companies that develop a habit of sending out formal rejection letters can also help themselves, by promoting their own commitment to respectful professionalism. This can leave a positive impact on the rejected candidate, as well as anyone else they might talk to about their job search experience.

Why use template rejection letters?

Template rejection letters can be a great way to save time and ensure a consistent approach to your communication with unsuccessful candidates. They can help you to provide uniform answers to explain why a candidate was rejected, as well as advice that you think may help the candidate as they continue their job search. Well-constructed rejection letters that offer helpful feedback to candidates can help to soften their disappointment, while providing useful information that can benefit their careers.

How to write your own employer rejection letters

So, how do you write a positive and helpful employment rejection letter? The following tips can help you to determine what to include in your template letters, and the best tone and method for addressing rejection in the clearest and most concise manner possible.

Don't delay the rejection. Once you've decided to move forward with a specific candidate, notify rejected applicants as soon as possible. Remember that they may also be pursuing other open positions, so you're doing them a favor by letting them know that your company's job has been filled.

You can send the rejection via email rather than by regular mail service. While a mailed letter might seem more formal, most candidates will appreciate receiving the news as soon as possible – and email is always quicker.

Keep your rejection letters short. No candidate wants to read through a lengthy explanation about why they didn't measure up to expectations. At the same time, though, your letter should include enough detail to ensure that you explain the decision.

Try to be as positive as possible. The rejection will be disappointing for the candidate, so there's no need to pile on with negative feedback or other criticism.

As a rule, keep your letter limited to no more than three short paragraphs. The first one can simply thank them for their interest and let them know that you've decided not to hire them. 

The second paragraph can include some positive affirmation, by focusing on anything that impressed you during their interview, and perhaps cite a reason why they've been rejected. If you might consider them for a different job in the future, tell them that too. 

Finally, your third paragraph should simply thank them again and wish them well in their efforts to land the right job in the future.

Seven rejection letter samples

Below, we've included seven example rejection letter templates that you can customize and send to unsuccessful applicants. This selection of templates covers a variety of different approaches for rejecting candidates, so you can choose one or several depending on your company's needs.

1.     Generic rejection letter template

Dear Mr / Ms [Applicant's name],

Thank you for submitting your application and resume for our [title of the position they applied for] position. We deeply appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us. However, after reviewing your application, we have decided not to move forward with your application.

As you probably know, we received a tremendous amount of interest in this position, so this was an extremely difficult decision for our hiring team. Unfortunately, we concluded that your impressive array of skills and achievements were not what we were looking for at this time.

We want to thank you again for your interest in working with us and wish you the best of success in your future career endeavors.

[Your name and company name]

2.     Application rejection letter template

Thank you for submitting your application. We appreciate your interest in a position as a [job title] in our company and the effort you invested in reaching out to us. Unfortunately, our review of the many applications and resumes we received in response to our job posting has moved us to select another candidate for the role.

We do want to commend you for your impressive skill set and accomplishments, and hope that you will consider a different role with us at some future point in time. We will keep your resume on file and may reach out to you if we have another opening for a job that better aligns with your unique talents.

Again, thank you for getting in touch with us and providing us with your resume and application. We wish you luck and much success in your job search efforts.

Warmest regards,

3.     Screening stage rejection letter template

Thank you for your resume and application submission and for participating in our initial screening process. Unfortunately, our screening suggests that you may not be the best fit for this position or our company at this time. As a result, we have decided to decline moving forward with our interview process.

We should note that your skills, experience, and other qualifications are very close to what we need for this position. However, our screening results found that [provide reason for rejection, such as failed background check, failed drug test, etc.]. Those results led us to focus on other candidates to fill this position.

Again, we applaud your credentials and wish you nothing but the best in your job search efforts. Thanks for reaching out to us and good luck throughout your career.

Best regards,

4.     Early-stage interview rejection letter template

We truly appreciate you taking the time to meet with our hiring team to interview for our open [title of the job] position. I speak for everyone on the team when I say that we were really impressed with your overall performance and believe that you have a lot to offer to any company that hires you. Regrettably, however, we have decided to decline moving forward in our interview process.

While your interview was solid and compelling, and your resume qualifications are close to what we were looking for, we have decided to hire another candidate whose skills more closely align with our needs for this position. Make no mistake, though – this was a difficult decision.

Since we were so impressed with your candidacy, we will keep your resume on file and contact you if any other opportunities arise in the future. Until then, we wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors and hope for your continued career success.

5.     Final stage interview rejection letter template

Thank you so much for your time and attention throughout our application and interview process. We appreciate the patience you extended to everyone on our team during all [number of interviews] of your meetings with us. Unfortunately, after reviewing the results of our assessments of every candidate for the position, we have decided not to offer you the role.

Everyone on our team agrees that your skills and experience are beyond question, so this decision is in no way a reflection on your qualifications. Our decision was based solely on an evaluation of every candidate's experience and how well we believe they might fit with the specific needs of that open position. Regrettably, that decision process led us to another candidate.

We would appreciate it if you would allow us to contact you if or when another position opens, that we believe might be a better fit for your core competencies. Again, we want to thank you for your commitment to the process and extend our best wishes for your future success.

With our best regards,

6.     Post-phone call rejection letter template

Dear Mr /Ms [Applicant's name],

This letter is to follow up on our recent phone call with you confirming that we will not be hiring you for the position of [name of position the applicant applied for]. I wanted to personally contact you and let you know how much we all appreciated having the opportunity to get to know you throughout our interview process.

Though you have already been notified of our decision in that brief call, I still want to take a few moments to say how impressed we were with your qualifications and interview skills. We all recognize the potential value our company could enjoy if you were a member of our team.

Thank you again for your interest in our company. We wish you luck in your career journey.

7.     Rejection letter template advising candidate to reapply in the future

Thank you so much for interviewing for our position as a [job title]. Your qualifications are impressive, which made our hiring decision extremely difficult. However, the team here have decided to offer the job to another candidate.

Still, we want to let you know that we recognize your talents and are confident that you would do well in a different role within our organisation, if you focused on developing [cite a skill that the candidate needs to enhance]. With those added skills , we would be eager to consider you for a different role in our company.

Thanks again for your dedication and interest in joining our firm. Good luck to you in your job search!

Simplify your efforts to follow-up with rejected candidates

It's never easy to craft a letter letting job candidates know that they've been rejected. Still, it's something that every company should do, so it's important to streamline the process as much as possible. By using some variation of these rejection letter templates, and customizing them to fit your unique needs, sending out these notifications can be quicker and easier than ever before.

Looking to avoid a job rejection letter by bolstering your resume? Get a free resume review from our experts today!

Recommended reading:

Make the Perfect First Impression With Your Resume

How to Describe Yourself in an Interview

Top 15 Professional Goals and How to Achieve Them

Related Articles:

Don't “Snowplow” Your Kids' Job Search — Set Them Up for Success Instead

What Kind of Job Candidate Are You?

Why December is the Best Time of Year to Look for a Job

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13 Subject Lines for Your Interview Thank You Emails

By Katie Duncan Posted on April 10, 2024

So you’ve written the perfect interview thank you email— now for the finishing touch: the subject line.

The subject line will be the first thing your interviewer sees when your email hits their inbox. It can feel like there’s a ton of pressure riding on these few words! The good news is that you don’t have to sweat it— it’s more straightforward than you think. 

Interview thank you email subject lines

Your post-interview thank you email should be sincere and genuine. We’ve broken down four categories of subject lines to help you pick the one that best fits your email.

Psst… Not sure which to use? When in doubt, express appreciation!

1. Express appreciation

This subject line gets to the point quickly. Expressing appreciation is easy— just say thanks! You can add what you’re expressing gratitude for, like the opportunity to meet, their time, or the conversation in general.

• “Thank you for the great interview today”
• “Thanks for the opportunity to chat this morning”
• “Thank you for your time this afternoon”
• “Appreciate the interview opportunity”

2. Highlight enthusiasm

If you want to show your excitement and eagerness to move forward, you can highlight your enthusiasm in the subject line. It reinforces your interest in the role and the company.

Just be careful not to jump the gun here. You don’t want to appear presumptuous or over-confident that you got the job. Rather, convey that you’re excited by the possibilities, learning more, or hearing back from the team.

• “Excited about the possibility of working together”
• “Loved learning more about [COMPANY]”
• “Looking forward to the next steps!”

3. Include a personal touch

Personalizing the subject line demonstrates your attentiveness during the interview and also reinforces your genuine interest in the company . It helps to create a connection with the interviewer, which is important when you’re trying to stand out from other candidates.

To personalize your subject line, mention something specific you enjoyed talking about during the interview. Alternatively, you can express that you simply enjoyed getting to meet them, not just interview for the role.

• “Enjoyed our chat about [TOPIC FROM INTERVIEW]”
• “Loved our conversation about [Company’s] vision”
• “It was great meeting you, [NAME]”

4. Add a question

You may have an additional question that you thought of after the interview. If this is the case, highlight it in the subject line to ensure you receive a prompt response.

• “Thank you + question about take home test”
• “Enjoyed the interview! Need anything else?”
• “Thanks for the opportunity + one additional question”

Don’t stress over your subject line

If you find yourself stressing over the interview thank you email subject line, take a deep breath. When in doubt, a simple “Thank you” will do! 

Before sending your email, ensure it has all of the key components like your greeting, a line of gratitude, and contact info. 

After that, double check that there are no grammatical errors and you’ve spelled the company and interviewer’s name correctly. Remember that thank you emails aren’t required, but can help you put your best foot forward and keep you top of mind.