Never thought about writing a thank you note to an interviewer?
You're definitely not alone. A lot of people breathe a massive sigh of relief the second they leave the room, completely forgetting that the application process isn't quite over yet.
However, sending a follow up email after an interview is a brilliant way to get crucial feedback in an increasingly competitive job market. In fact, following up shows a level of initiative that makes recruiters sit up and take notice.
It doesn't have to be a sprawling essay, either. A short, polite message can keep you fresh in the hiring manager's mind and prove you have impeccable manners. Here’s exactly how to craft a post interview thank you email that hits all the right notes:
Key takeaways from this article
- Sending a thank you email after an interview helps you stand out from the competition and shows genuine enthusiasm for the role.
- Keep your message concise, professional, and send it within 24 hours of your meeting.
- Make sure to include a clear subject line, a personalised greeting, and a brief reminder of why your skills make you a great fit.
- Tailor your tone to match the company culture, whether that means keeping things formal or taking a more relaxed approach.
Why send a thank you email after an interview?
The simple answer is that most other applicants won't bother.
By taking the initiative to keep the conversation going, you instantly set yourself apart from the crowd. It makes you far more memorable when it comes time for the panel to make their final decision. If they're torn between you and someone else with similar experience, a thoughtful interview thank you email can easily tip the scales in your favour.
It also gives you an extra opportunity to showcase your personality and reinforce your enthusiasm for the position. Employers know you might be interviewing for multiple roles, so a quick thank you email template after interview stages reassures them that you're truly committed to joining their team.
How to follow up on a job application
What to include in a thank you letter after an interview
Every job and organisation is slightly different, so your interview thank you letter will naturally change depending on the situation. However, there are a few essential elements you should always include to make the best impression.
1. A clear subject line
The subject line is the first thing the hiring manager will see, so keep it short and professional. Something straightforward like 'Thank you for your time' or 'Great to meet you today' works perfectly for almost any role.
2. A personalised greeting
By this stage in the process, you should know the names of the people who interviewed you. Address them directly to build on the connection you established in the room. You can use 'Hello' followed by their first name for a casual workplace, or 'Dear' followed by their title and surname if you're applying for a highly corporate role like a Finance Director or Operations Manager.
3. A note of appreciation
Start the main body of your email by thanking them for their time. Let them know you appreciate the chance to learn more about the business and the specific responsibilities of the role.
4. A brief recap of your skills
This is your chance to gently remind them why you're the perfect fit. You don't need to rewrite your entire CV though; a sentence or two reiterating your relevant qualifications and experience is more than enough to jog their memory. You might even want to mention a specific talking point that went well, just like you would when tackling second interview questions and answers.
5. Any requested attachments
If the panel asked you to provide extra details, like a portfolio, a presentation, or a reference list, attach these files to your follow up email after interview stages. Mention the attachments in your message so they don't get missed.
6. A professional sign-off
Close your message by saying you're happy to answer any further questions they might have. Then, sign off with a professional phrase like 'Kind regards' or 'Best wishes', followed by your full name, email address, and phone number.
How to tell if an interview went well (or badly)
Examples of thank you letters after an interview
Need a little inspiration? We've put together a few sample follow up email templates to help you get started. Just remember to tweak the details so they sound like your natural voice.
The short and sweet thank you email
This option gets straight to the point and works well for almost any situation.
Subject line: Thank you for the interview
Hello Natalie,
Thanks again for taking the time to meet with me this morning to discuss the Junior Graphic Designer role. I really enjoyed learning more about the position and the wider team.
It sounds like a highly collaborative role, and I think my degree in design and my freelance experience would make me a great fit.
Please let me know if you need any more information from me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Bethany Mathers
[Your phone number]
The formal post interview email
If you're applying for a senior position, like a Design Lead or a Managing Director, you might want to adopt a more formal tone.
Subject line: Thank you for meeting with me
Dear Ms Lyons,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the Design Lead position this morning. I really appreciated the insight you provided into the company's long-term goals.
With over ten years of experience leading creative teams, I strongly believe my skills align perfectly with the requirements of the role. I have attached my portfolio, which outlines some of the larger projects we discussed today.
If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
Bethany Mathers
[Your phone number]
The informal interview follow up email
Applying for a role at a startup or a company with a very relaxed culture? Keep things light and friendly.
Subject line: Great to meet you
Hi Paul,
Thanks so much for chatting with me today. It was genuinely great to hear your thoughts on the Social Media Manager role and learn more about the team culture.
I'd love the opportunity to bring my social media experience to your upcoming campaigns. I'm confident I could help boost your online engagement right from the start.
Let me know if you need anything else from my end. Thanks again!
Best wishes,
Jane Smith
[Your phone number]
Frequently asked questions about interview thank you emails
Still have a few lingering questions? Here are some of the most common queries people have when writing a thank you email after an interview.
When should I send a follow up email after an interview?
The faster you can get in touch, the better. You don't have to hit send the second you walk out of the building, but getting back to them within 24 hours has the most impact. It ensures you stay front of mind as they begin shortlisting their favourite applicants.
Should I email everyone on the interview panel?
If you have the contact details for each person who interviewed you, sending a brief, personalised note to each of them is a nice touch. If you only have one email address, simply send your message to the lead interviewer and ask them to pass your thanks on to the rest of the team.
Can I use AI to write my thank you email?
While AI tools can give you a helpful starting point, you should never copy and paste a robot's response word for word. Recruiters can spot highly generic, automated text from a mile away. Always take the time to inject your own personality and reference specific moments from your conversation, which ties right back into modern interview techniques.
How long should an interview thank you letter be?
If in doubt, keep it concise. A follow up email after an interview should never look like a second cover letter. Two or three short paragraphs are all you need to show your appreciation and restate your value.
Final thoughts
Following up after a meeting is just one small step in securing a job you'll actually love. Remember that your thank you email isn't a hard sales pitch - it's simply a polite way to keep the lines of communication open.
Just remember to take a few minutes to check your message for spelling mistakes before you press send. Asking a friend to proofread your note might feel a bit silly, but if you really want the job, it's absolutely worth the effort.
Keep it professional, polite, and to the point, and you really can't go wrong.
Browse more advice on following up after an interview
Still searching for your perfect position? Have a look at all of our current vacancies now.
