How to write a thank you email after an interview

After an interview, you may think that there is little more to do than just wait for a decision to be made. However, by sending an interview follow-up email you may improve your chances of getting the job significantly. 

By following up with a thank you email, you show not just your enthusiasm for the role but show a level of professionalism that employers value and are looking for.

There are different ways to write a thank you email after an interview, and we have included some samples below as well as some general tips to help you write one.

Emphasise your enthusiasm – The email after your interview is another chance to impress your interviewer.

Make it clear that you are excited about the role and try and be specific.

Refer to a challenge or focus area spoken about in the interview and highlight how your skillset is a great fit.

Focus on the right details – don’t get bogged down in writing an overly flowery or lengthy email.

Keep it concise and focus on the value you have as an employee and the skills you have to offer.

Also, be sure to proofread carefully. You don’t want typos to undo the impression you have left so far, particularly if the interviewers mentioned attention to detail as a skill they are looking for!

Be helpful – Offer to answer follow-up or clarifying questions and provide additional documentation if needed.

You want to highlight the fact that you are easy to work with, so if you have any requests of them be sure that it doesn’t create additional work and only ask short and succinct questions. 

Timing is key – Try to send your thank you email within 24 – 36 hours of the interview. 

If you wait too long, they may have already made a decision on the role. 

Don’t send it on the way out of the building either as it may come across as less genuine than if you gave it some time.

Example of an interview thank you email

Before you write your interview thank you email it is worth having a think about how the interview went and what was the feeling in the room. 

This may change the style of email you write and how polite you need to be.

If you want to keep it to the point and formality isn’t so necessary you could write something like the following:

Why should I send a thank you email after an interview?

Normally job interviews don’t last very long and depending on the role, the interviewer may see lots of applicants during the recruiting process. 

That’s why you must take any chance you get to impress. 

Sending a follow-up email after an interview doesn’t take much time, especially with the samples above to make things easier. 

While sending a thank you email won’t guarantee you a job it may get you one step closer so make sure you send one next time you go for an interview!