How To Write a Thank You Email After an Interview

Your palms are finally dry, you've loosened your (real or metaphorical) tie, and you've just wrapped up what felt like a solid job interview. Now what? While most candidates are busy refreshing their inboxes waiting to hear back, the smartest job seekers know there's one more crucial step: sending a follow-up message. But if you're wondering how to write a thank you email after an interview, you're not alone.

Let's be real—no one wants to come off as desperate or miss the mark with an awkward follow-up. To help you nail this important post-interview move, we talked to two leading voices in professional etiquette about exactly what to do (and what not to do!).

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How To Write a Thank You Email After a Job Interview

Jo Hayes, founder of EtiquetteExpert.Org and etiquette consultant, keeps it straightforward: "Keep it brief. Clear and concise. Nothing too wordy," she says. "People are busy, and, especially during the job selection process, employers have enough email/applications/words to trawl through, without getting another tome to drain their valuable time. Two-to-three short paragraphs will suffice."

Jamila Musayeva , author and certified etiquette consultant with over a million YouTube subscribers, emphasizes making a personal connection. "A thank you email after an interview is a wonderful way to stand out and show genuine appreciation," she explains. "When writing a thank-you email, keep it warm, professional, and concise. Also, keep it personalized to your conversation with the interviewer."

Here's something unexpected: Musayeva suggests going old school. "If you want to stand out from the rest of the applicants and show how thankful you are, it is a good idea to mail a handwritten note as opposed to a regular email."

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When To Send a Thank You Email After an Interview

The timing question has a clear answer. Hayes insists on sending your note "within 24 hours of the interview." Why? As she explains, "Not only will this demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position, but, if the recruiters are making a decision swiftly, you don't want to get in too late. A prompt email will also ensure your particular interview is fresh in the recruiter's mind."

Musayeva offers a practical caveat: "If you had an afternoon or late interview, sending it the following morning can be equally effective. The key is not to wait too long."

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After Interview Thank You Email Examples

Let's look at what our experts recommend. Here's Hayes' template that hits all the right notes:

"Dear Susan,

A brief note to express my gratitude for taking the time to meet with me today.

It was a pleasure to learn more about the vision of [company]. The role of [position] is exactly what I am looking for, and I am confident my skills will be a valuable addition to the company, as it continues it's growth as a [industry] leader.

I was especially interested to talk with you about [reference highlight from your discussion]."

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Musayeva offers this approach, which weaves in specific interview moments:

"Thank you for the chance to interview for the [Job Title] role with [Company Name]. I enjoyed our conversation, particularly learning more about [mention a specific topic discussed, like 'the team's innovative approach to X project']. The role sounds like a perfect match for my skills in [mention relevant skill or experience], and I am enthusiastic about the possibility of contributing to [mention company goal, project, or value]."

Short Thank You Email After Interview Ideas

Sometimes you want to keep things short and sweet. Musayeva suggests this streamlined version:

"Hello [Interviewer's Name], Thank you for your time and for sharing insights about the [Job Title] role. I'm excited about the potential of contributing to [Company Name]. Please let me know if there's anything further I can provide. Best regards, [Your Name]."

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Watch Out for These Common Thank You Email Mistakes

Hayes warns against including "questions about salary/benefits in one's thank you email."

And Musayeva points out something that might seem obvious but happens more than you'd think—using an unprofessional email address. As she notes, "Emails that include nicknames or a collection of digits do not make a good impression—like 'kitty12345.'"

As Hayes puts it, there are "plenty of post-interview email templates on the internet. While it's fine to take advantage of these guides, make sure you tailor it to you and your specific interview (one can pick up a generic, cut-and-paste email a mile off – especially recruiters who receive many of these such template-written emails)."

A thoughtful thank you note might just be the thing that keeps you top of mind when hiring decisions are made. Just remember to keep it prompt, personal, and professional – and maybe consider breaking out that nice stationery for an extra special touch.

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Sources

• Jo Hayes, founder of EtiquetteExpert.Org and etiquette consultant

• Jamila Musayeva , author and certified etiquette consultant with over a million YouTube subscribers