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Keep your interview on top of your mind by sending the hiring manager a thank you email. Here’s how to write a thank you email after an interview, along with professional email examples and helpful advice.
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When should you send a thank-you email after the interviews?
Hiring managers interview candidates frequently. Wait 24 hours before sending that all-important thank-you note. You should also inquire about the status of your job application one week after your interview.
How to Write a Thank-You Email After an Interview
Follow these steps to learn what to say in your follow-up email after an interview.
1Write a simple subject line
Your email subject line should be professional and straightforward. Stick to the tried and true format of name and the date and time of the interview. It should look like this:
“Ann Brown – Re: [Job Title] Interview on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.”
2Make a connection
First and foremost, state your intent. Be clear about why you’re sending this message, whether to express your gratitude or ask for an update on the hiring process. Use your introduction to establish a connection as well.
Begin with a comment that helps the interviewer remember your conversation in a positive light. Visit our cover letter writing guide to see how you can strike a professional tone while describing your key accomplishments.
3Sell yourself all over again
Now is the time to reinforce your value to the company and interest in the role. Use the body of the email to highlight your resume skills and demonstrate that you’re the ideal candidate for the position. Focus on relevant topics to avoid “overselling yourself.”
This is also the perfect place to elaborate on specific topics if you left the interview feeling like you could’ve said more.
4Sign-off
Conclude your email by inviting the interviewer to ask you any additional questions and letting them know you look forward to hearing from them. Remember to say thank you and include your full name.
4 “Thank You Emails After an Interview” Examples
See how prospective candidates follow up with managers after their interviews with these respectful examples.
Standard follow-up email after interview example
This short version of a follow-up email is appropriate after a phone interview or brief in-person first interaction.
Subject: Ann Brown – Re: Phone Interview Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Dear Ms. Smith,
I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the Project Manager role at InnovateTech Solutions. It was a pleasure learning about your initiatives.
Our conversation reinforced my enthusiasm for the role, and I’m confident my Scrum expertise and customer focus align well with your needs.
Thank you for your time — I look forward to moving to the next stage of the hiring process. Please let me know if you need anything further.
Best,
Ann Brown
555-555-5555
email@email.com
Thank you email after a panel interview
After an in-person, in-depth interview, you should send individual thank you emails to each panelist, thanking them for their time. If possible, reference a personal interaction from the interview to help you stand out against other candidates.
Subject: Ann Brown – Re: Interview on Monday at 1:00 p.m.
Dear Ms. Smith,
I appreciate our insightful discussion on Monday about the Project Manager role. It reinforced my enthusiasm for joining InnovateTech Solutions and contributing to your dynamic team. Our discussion on optimizing project timelines and managing resource constraints was particularly insightful.
At TechVista Innovations, I tackled similar challenges using agile methodologies and strategic resource management. I’m eager to bring this experience to your team. Key accomplishments we discussed include:
- Optimized project timelines: Led a cross-functional team to streamline project workflows and reduce delivery time by 30%.
- Maximized resource utilization: Managed a $2M budget, reallocating resources efficiently to cut operational costs by 15% without compromising deadlines.
- Improved agile efficiency: Improved sprint completion rates by 23% by analyzing pre-existing processes, implementing Scrum methodologies, and meeting with stakeholders to identify bottlenecks.
Thank you for your time and insights. Please let me know if you need any additional information. I look forward to the next steps.
Thank you,
Ann Brown
555-555-5555
email@email.com
Follow-up email after no response
While you don’t want to flood an inbox with unread emails, you can send a follow-up email after your initial thank you email.
- Avoid sending an email on Monday or Friday, which can get lost in weekend emails.
- Wait five days before sending a follow-up email.
- Follow-up in the initial thread so the hiring manager can quickly find both emails in one place.
Subject: Follow-Up Re: Project Manager Role
Dear Ms. Smith,
I hope this email finds you well. I’m following up on my recent application for the Project Manager position at InnovateTech Solutions. I’m still very enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to your dynamic team.
If you need any additional details or materials from my end, or if there have been any updates on the status of my application, I would greatly appreciate any information you can provide.
I look forward to contributing to InnovateTech Solutions.
Thanks again,
Ann Brown
555-555-5555
email@email.com
Develop your network with a “thank you” email
If you were a top candidate but didn’t get the job, feel free to send a thank you email to expand your professional network. Thank the manager for their time and ask to keep open lines of communication. You can develop a strong mentorship or keep yourself at the top of your mind if a similar job opens.
Subject: Staying in touch
Dear Ms. Smith,
I hope you’re well. I am writing to thank you for your time and consideration during our previous conversations at InnovateTech Solutions. Your career path and experiences were truly inspiring, and I’d love to learn more about your skill set and how you’ve developed them.
I understand you’re pretty busy, but if you have some free time in the next few weeks, it would be great to chat with you further over the phone or coffee.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks again,
Ann Brown
555-555-5555
email@email.com
Why You Should Send a Follow-Up Email After an Interview
A follow-up thank you email after an interview helps build rapport by reminding the recruiter who you are, what you discussed and why you’re the ideal candidate. Additionally, it’s an opportunity to ask any questions you may have or even elaborate on a topic you discussed during the interview.
If you are still waiting to hear back after a few weeks, sending a follow-up email will remind the hiring manager you’re interested in the role. You can make an impression by reviewing your qualifications and describing your commitment to the company while other candidates wait for a response.
Key Takeaways
Here are a few tips to help you write your follow-up email: