Examples of Thank-you Emails to Send After an Interview

You may think a job interview is over the moment you step out of the building (or shut your laptop). But there’s one more thing your interviewers may be wanting from you: a thank-you email.

Past research suggests human resources managers still may find it helpful when a candidate sends a thank-you email after an interview. Even if HR managers’ expectations have changed in recent years, the chances are probably good that a thank-you will be appreciated.

Below, you’ll find tips for writing an effective thank-you email after a job interview. You’ll also find three thank-you email templates for different industries and interview stages, which you can personalize based on your needs.

What to say in a thank-you email after an interview

An effective thank-you email sent after an interview can help you accomplish the following objectives, according to Robert Half, a human resources consulting firm:

• Thank the interviewer(s) for their time.

• Remind the interviewer(s) why you’re a good fit for the role.

• Include a specific detail or two from the interview you want to reemphasize.

• If appropriate, offer a solution to a problem or challenge presented during the interview.

• Inquire about next steps, if appropriate.

In most cases, thank-you emails aren’t very long. They’re typically between one and three short paragraphs.

The email’s not the place to list all the things you wish you would’ve said in the interview. Unless you forgot to share something important about yourself or your experience in the interview, it’s best to keep the email’s focus on your appreciation and what was discussed.

How to write a thank-you email after an interview

Let your industry and position influence the tone of the email. Somebody interviewing for a high-ranking executive position may want to send a more formal follow-up email than a person interviewing for their first job, or one at a business with a casual company culture. On the flip side, someone interviewing for a customer-service job may want to use a conversational style that shows they’re friendly and easy to talk to.

During your interview, keep track of how your interviewer(s) introduced themselves. That way, you’ll know how to address them in your thank-you email. If your interview was with a person named "Stephanie," but she introduced herself as "Steph," you can address her as "Steph" in your email.

After your interview, write down a few specific notes that would be good to include in your thank-you email, recommends BetterUp, a behavioral career coaching company. If possible, do this as soon as your interview is over so you don’t forget key details.

Hiring can move quickly, so try to send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. If you interview with multiple people, Robert Half recommends sending each interviewer their own thank-you email.

Examples of thank-you emails

Here are a few examples of thank-you emails to send after a job interview. You can tailor these templates to your needs or preferences.

Example 1: Flexible format

The first is a good example of a general thank-you email. It’s not too casual, not too formal, and would be appropriate for a wide variety of jobs and industries. It includes a mention of your past work experience, and how that makes you a strong candidate for this position. If you don’t have relevant work experience, mention a specific part of the job that sounds interesting, or something you would be exceptionally good at.

For example, you could say something like, “I was thrilled to learn about how much data analysis is required for the role. I’d be really excited to dive headfirst into that work, and consider myself a very focused, conscientious worker — traits that are well-suited to the position.”

Hi Phoebe,

Thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the Sales Development Representative opportunity. It was great learning more about the position, and I appreciated getting to meet James and Lenore from the sales team after our conversation.

This position is extremely appealing, and after learning more about its day-to-day responsibilities, I’m confident my skills and experience would lend themselves to this role. Specifically, my three years of customer service experience, alongside my record of success in a variety of roles and industries, make me an excellent candidate to build strong relationships with new and existing clients by offering top-notch customer service and solutions that meet their needs.

I hope to discuss the opportunity with you further. If you have any questions or need anything from me, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Cara

Example 2: Formal structure

This next template is an example of a more formal thank-you email.

Such an email might be appropriate for more traditional industries, such as banking, law or accounting. It could also be used if you’re interviewing for a management position, or applying for a role that comes with a change in seniority.

Dear Ms. Novak,

Thank you for taking the time to discuss the Senior Marketing Manager position. I sincerely enjoyed our conversation — learning about your approach to community engagement was illuminating, as well as discussing the duties and responsibilities of this high-impact role.

After learning more about how the Senior Marketing Manager supports the company’s long-term goals to reach new markets and introduce localized products, I’m certain that my experience and skill set make me a strong candidate for the position. My five years spent as a Digital Marketing Manager, as well as my experience at multiple companies expanding into new territories, gives me the insights and knowledge needed to succeed in this role.

If you have any further questions or need additional information, please reach out. I look forward to continuing this conversation and appreciate your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Cara

Example 3: Early-stage message

Here’s an example of a thank-you email that you can send after your initial phone screen interview, or after a first interview if specifics of the role haven’t been fully discussed yet.

Hi Noah,

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to discuss the Chief Copywriter position with me. Learning about the firm and its values was great, and I believe my background and management experience make me well-suited for the position. It was also great hearing about the company’s expansion plans; I’d be thrilled to learn more about its goals for the year, and the role the copywriting team will play in meeting them.

If you have any questions or would like any information from me, please let me know. I look forward to moving to the next stage in the interview process.

Have a great week,