How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview (With Examples)

Updated on January 26, 2023

Edited by

Be sure to send a thank you email within 24 hours of your interview.
Send thank you emails to all members of the team who you met.
Sending a thank you email is another way to stand out from other applicants.

Even though thank you notes seem old-fashioned, sending one after an interview is important. It can be exciting to get called in to interview for a position that you’re excited about, and you want to make sure that you make the best impression possible.

According to a 2017 survey by Talent Inc., 68% of employers say thank you notes matter, but according to a 2019 survey by Careerbuilder, 57% of interviewees don’t send one. Whether you sit for a virtual interview or interview in the office, you should consider sending a thank you email. It only takes a few minutes to make a good impression.

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

Yes, you need to send a thank you after an interview. This note is an important step in the interview process. Keeping your name top of mind and showing them that you respect the time they took to interview you is key.

According to Liza Gonzales, branch manager and skilled trades recruiter, sending a thank you email makes a bigger difference than you may think.

“It might sway a decision or encourage the hiring manager to hold onto the application for future openings,” Gonzales said. “It adds a level of professionalism.”

A thank you email may also demonstrate and reaffirm your interest in working for the company.

What to Include in Your Thank You Email

When crafting your thank you email, there are a few things that you want to be sure to include. According to Michael Maniaci, employee experience and operations manager, “A simple, short note thanking the interviewer for their time and consideration is best…The exception being when you have additional information that you promised to provide after the interview.”

He also specifies that you should send it immediately following your interview, either the same day or the day after. Take the time to reflect on the interview so you can include some details. It’s important to avoid using a generic email for every interview. Before saying thank you, reflect on whether the company is right for you.

Beyond that, you’ll want to use these elements:

Thank the interviewer for their time.
Express your interest in the job and briefly explain why you’re a good fit.
Throw in a personal anecdote from the interview.
Include relevant work examples or anything you were asked to send after the interview.
Ask any additional questions that you may have.
Thank them and let them know you’re looking forward to the next steps.

Sample Thank You Email Templates

Thank You Email Following A Phone Screen

Subject: [Position] interview on [Date]

Hi [Name],

Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with me today about [position]. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the job and [company]. Based on our conversation and my experience, I believe I would be a great fit for your team.

Please let me know the next steps (or include the date and time of your in-person interview here instead if that was set up during the phone screen). I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you again,

[Name]

[Contact information or signature block]

Thank You Email After an Initial Interview

Subject: Following up on the interview

Hi [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today about [position]. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the job and [company]. Based on our meeting and my experience, I believe I would be a great fit for your team.

You mentioned a possible second interview to meet the rest of the team. I am very interested in moving forward and can schedule this at your earliest convenience. I look forward to the next steps. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Thank you again,

[Name]

[Contact information or signature block]

Thank You Email After the Second/Final Interview

With second or final interviews, you usually meet more of the team members you would be working with if you get the position. If you have their contact information, email each person to thank them for their time. If you only have the recruiter’s email, send the recruiter a message to pass along to the team members. This email should be short and sweet.

Subject: Meeting about [job title]

Dear [Name],

Thank you so much for meeting with me again about joining the team. I really enjoyed meeting your colleagues and learning more about the position. I appreciate everyone’s time and found speaking with everyone helpful in knowing what to expect.

After our meeting, I am confident this is the right fit for me. I would welcome the opportunity to move forward. Please let me know if you have any final questions.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you again,

[Name]

[Contact information or signature block]

Subject: Thank you for meeting with me about [position]

Dear [Name],

Thank you for your time in interviewing me for [position]. I really enjoyed meeting with you and learning more about [position] at [company]. I am excited to hear about the next steps. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Thank you again,

[Name]

[Contact information or signature block]

Formal Thank You Email

Subject: Job interview for [position]

Dear [Name],

Thank you for inviting me to meet with you about [position]. It was great to learn more about you, the team, and the company. I was excited to learn more about your goals and vision for this position. I have experience with [skills set or topic] during my time at [company], so I’m thrilled to be in a position where I can help you realize your vision for moving forward.

Here is some additional information about my experience [topical project experience here in detail]. It sounds like [company] is a great place to work, and I believe my skills would greatly benefit the team. If given the chance, I would love to contribute my knowledge. Please let me know if there’s anything else you need from me.

I look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck as you work through the rest of your hiring process.

Thank you again,

[Name]

[Contact information or signature block]

Bottom Line

While you don’t need to send a formal thank you email every time, sending a thank you can help you stay top of mind with the person who interviewed you. It also gives you another chance to sell yourself and your qualifications.

Be sure to tailor your thank you email to your experience with the hiring manager who interviewed you. By reflecting on the interview, you will best know how to structure your email and how formal you should be.