You’ve likely been told that you should send a thank you email after a job interview or a career fair, but may not know what makes them so important. Outside of being just good manners, sending a detailed thank you email to the people who interview you is a great way to showcase your enthusiasm, stand out from other applicants, and leave the right impression.
Unfortunately not everyone sees the effort and write these thank you emails. Here are some tips on how to write the perfect thank you email after an interview and improve your chances of landing the job.
Thank You Letter or Thank You Email
A handwritten thank you letter adds a personal touch, but it may not be the best choice when companies expect a quick response. Hiring teams often make decisions quickly, sometimes before they even receive a handwritten note. That’s why you should opt for writing an email.
Do
- Send the email as fast as possible – Hiring decisions are made quickly. This is why you should have an email sent within 24 hours of the interview.
- Be specific – Include your name and the position you were interviewed for in both the headline and body of the email. Also include the name of the specific person/people who interviewed you.
- Remind interviewers why you’re so great – The email gives you a great chance to remind the company about your qualifications and what makes you such a great fit for the role.
- Include links – As you put together your email include a link to your portfolio, applicable writing examples, and also a link to your LinkedIn profile.
- Reference important details – Include key information about the position and duties to showcase your attention to detail and interest in the job.
Don’t
- Being too persistent – While it’s good to send out another email after a week to follow up, don’t overwhelm the hiring manager with daily emails.
- Making mistakes – This is a chance to show off so don’t look unprofessional by failing to check for typos and other grammatical errors.
- Being too casual – Even if you built up a good rapport with the hiring manager you should never assume that they are the only one reading the email. People in the company will typically forward these emails to others, so write them with courtesy and professionalism.
- Sharing unprofessional links – There’s no harm in including professional social media profiles, especially if you’re asked to. However, don’t share private and personal accounts. Consider creating separate accounts for personal and professional uses.
Thank You Email Key Elements
Your thank you email should have some key elements. Although you may choose not to use all the elements, thank you letter must always be in your own words.
- Thank the interviewer(s) for their time and courtesy shown.
- Indicate that all the good things you learned about the company (your research), were re-confirmed during the interview and with other employees you met.
- Re-affirm that you are confident and excited about the opportunity. Indicate that you feel qualified for the position.
- Re-thank them and ask them to call at any time or that you are waiting to hear from them the date established during the interview.
Sample Thank You Email
Conclusion
In this blog post, we’ve covered the essential elements of crafting the perfect thank you email after a job interview. The goal is to stand out among other candidates and leave a positive impression. Keep your email professional, concise, and tailored to each specific interview and interviewer.
Sending a thank you email is more than just a courteous gesture; it can significantly impact your candidacy. It shows professionalism, gratitude, and a genuine interest in the position. Employers appreciate the effort and consideration you put into following up after the interview.
We’re a team of writers and career experts who share practical insights to help you navigate the professional world. Our members include Certified Professional Résumé Writers (CPRW) and Certified Digital Career Strategists (CDCS), and we bring experience from many industries to help you build your career with confidence. Download free Word resume templates and resume templates for Google Docs.


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