Throughout the years, many aspects have changed in the job interview process. It is perfectly natural and common for job applicants to put the effort into writing a great resume and preparing for an interview. However, many of them tend to overlook the importance of sending a thank you email after a job interview.
What are the benefits of writing a thank you email?
Aside from the interview itself, writing a thank you letter is a great way to impress your potential employer and position yourself as a strong candidate. Conveying your appreciation through a letter or email can reinforce your interest in the position, which can significantly impact your future employer’s final decision. It is a simple but effective gesture of displaying good manners and professionalism. By sending a thank you email, you also have the chance to mention certain details that you may have failed to discuss during your interview.
It is important to note that many hiring managers expect to receive a thank you letter, and some even pay close attention to how quickly you can respond after an interview. It is therefore important that you craft a great and compelling thank you letter that has the potential to place you ahead of the competition.
What should I include in my follow-up email after the interview?
Your thank you letter should be detailed yet concise. To ensure that your email is effective, here are some fundamental elements you need to incorporate:
Note of gratitude
Begin your letter by thanking the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to be considered for the job position. Make sure to note the role you are applying for since many hiring managers tend to interview multiple candidates for different positions simultaneously. For instance, you can say, “Thank you for meeting me this afternoon to discuss the administrative director position.”
Reiterate your qualifications
Use this opportunity to remind them of your skills and expertise. Since you probably already discussed your qualifications during the interview, this part should be short. Mention the skills you might have missed, and don’t forget to restate why you would be a good fit for their organization.
Highlight your expertise
Aside from featuring your qualifications and relevant experiences, consider adding links to your previous projects and online portfolios. Avoid placing too many links as your interviewer might think you are trying to oversell yourself. Your interviewer may feel that you are desperate for the job position, lessening your chances of being considered as a strong candidate.
Include your contact details
Remember to include your contact information to make it easier for them to get in touch with you. Even if your interviewer already has these details, there is no harm in listing them again for easy reference.
Other details you can add to your thank you email:
- Add details that you and your interviewer discussed that were not specific to the position. It may have been part of your conversation starters, or something personal that came up during the getting to know you section. Just make sure that it is not something offensive or embarrassing to both parties.
- Address any issues that you may have failed to answer appropriately during the interview. If there were some answers that you were unable to discuss thoroughly, you could use this section to explain them further.
- Include anything that you neglected to discuss with your interviewer. For instance, you can offer a solution to a current company problem that they may be facing. Bring up any of your qualities that may prove useful for them in addressing the issue at hand.
- Let them know that they can get in touch with you anytime if they have further questions or concerns. Reemphasize your gratitude and encourage them to take the next steps in the employment process.
Valuable tips to crafting a thank you email after an interview:
It is essential that you customize every thank you letter that you send. Your note won’t resonate well if it’s written generically. Don’t forget to personalize the subject line and make sure that you send your email within 24 hours after the interview. Timing is crucial when sending out these thank you emails. You don’t want to send them too soon, as your interviewer might think you drafted it before the interview took place. On the other hand, waiting too long to send them might give your interviewer the impression that you are not interested in the position and their company.
Make sure to double-check the recipient's name and the company name to save you from the embarrassment of sending out identical thank you letters. This is particularly important if you were interviewed by a panel. Make sure to get their contact details or business cards after the interview so that you can address them properly in your email. The last thing you want is for them to compare their thank-you letters with one another.
Avoid bombarding your interviewer with multiple follow-ups or thank you emails. Your goal is to promote yourself as a suitable candidate and not to scare off your interviewers. After sending your thank you email, a follow-up email after a week is more than enough. Furthermore, keep your letters short, avoid unnecessary and complicated words, and limit your sentences to a few paragraphs. Have someone read your letter or use an editing program to ensure that it is free of grammatical errors.
Sample interview thank you emails
There are several templates you can use for your thank you email. The important thing is that you tailor it to your potential company and make sure that it emulates your current conditions.
Example Email One
If you want a brief and straightforward thank you letter, consider using this template as it is informal and professional at the same time.
Subject line: Thank you for your time today - [job position you applied for] interview
Hello, [insert person’s name],
It was a pleasure meeting you this morning to discuss [job position you applied for] at [company name].
I genuinely enjoyed our conversation, and I am excited about the possibility of joining your organization. The role seems to be an excellent match for my expertise. I believe my experience in [insert relevant experience or job expertise] would prove valuable to your company.
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
All the best,
[insert your name]
Example Email Two
This template uses a more personal approach by referencing some personal details that came up during the interview. You can also use this if you want an informal thank-you letter, and the company you are applying for is regarded for having a casual working environment.
Subject line: Thank you for connecting with me today - [job position you applied for] interview
Hi [insert person’s name],
Thank you for meeting me this afternoon. I gained many insightful insights about [insert company’s name] and the industry in general.
I am sincerely interested in the [job position you applied for] and believe that my [number] years of experience as a [previous relevant job position] would enable me to make a valuable contribution to your team.
On a personal note, I enjoyed talking to you about [personal and common interests].
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have other concerns, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time and I hope you have a great day.
Sincerely,
[insert your name]
Example Email Three
If you want a more detailed and formal thank you email, this option might work for you.
Subject line: Thank you for meeting with me today - [job position you applied for] interview
Dear [insert person’s name],
Thank you for meeting with me today to discuss [job position you applied for] at [company name].
The details you shared about the job position convinced me that the role would be a great match for my skills and expertise. I believe that my experience as a [previous relevant job position] would enable me to thrive in your company.
You also mentioned that your department is currently [ongoing issues or challenges that the company is facing]. I have a few ideas that I think might prove beneficial [insert your suggestions].
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you again for your time.
Best regards,
[insert your name]
Final thoughts
The templates listed above can help you make a great impression on your potential employers. When writing your thank you email, it is vital that you sound sincere and genuinely interested. Take the time when crafting them and make sure that they will make an impact on their recipients.
Even if your interview was not conducted face-to-face, always make it a point to send out an email with all of your job interviews.
Remember that it is not only your interview that will make an impact on your future employer, but it is also what you do afterward.
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