In today’s highly competitive job market, job seekers often tirelessly strive to stand out among their peers. While an interview presents the perfect opportunity to showcase your skills and personality, there’s one gesture that’s often overlooked—one that leaves a lasting impression on employers, a simple thank you email.
Beyond common courtesy, sending out a thank you email expresses your appreciation which holds immense value. This is why sending a thank you email matters, so let’s explore how you can write a successful one.
The Reason Behind Sending a Thank You Email
A thank you email is a brief message you send to express your gratitude or any other professional intent after a job interview. It’s ideally sent within 24 to 48 hours following the interview to reiterate your interest in the position and leave a positive impression on the interviewer.
Aside from being a nice gesture, sending an email after an interview benefits you in many ways.
1. It lets your interest shine.
In your email, you can emphasize how excited you are about the position and the company. This gives you another chance to demonstrate your passion and remind the interviewer how perfect you are for the role.
2. Helps you stand out from the crowd.
Sending an email sets you apart from other applicants who might skip this step. It shows that you pay attention to detail and take initiative. It also proves that you’re willing to keep the connection and follow up, which leaves a lasting impression.
3. Provides an opportunity to clear up any confusion or provide more information.
If there were any points during the interview that weren’t fully addressed or if you forgot to mention something important, the email gives you a chance to fix it. You can clarify or provide additional information, ensuring the interviewer fully understands your qualifications and relevant experiences.
4. Helps keep the connection alive.
Email is a way to keep communication and maintain a connection with the interviewer. It helps you build rapport and stay on their radar. This is especially valuable if the hiring process takes a while or involves multiple rounds of interviews.
How to Write an Interview Thank You Email
When crafting an email after an interview, it’s important to include the following elements:
1. Subject Lines
Choose a concise subject line that indicates the purpose of the email, such as “Thank You – [Position] Interview.”
2. Salutation
Begin your email with a professional greeting, addressing the interviewer by name. If you have multiple interviewers, consider sending individual emails to each.
3. Express Gratitude
Start your email by expressing your sincere appreciation for the opportunity to interview for the position. Thank the interviewer for their time, consideration, and any specific part of the interview that you found valuable.
4. Reiterate Interest
Briefly restate your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Emphasize why you believe the position aligns with your skills, experiences, and career goals. This reaffirms your interest and highlights your motivation to contribute to the organization.
5. Recap Key Points
Recap a few key points discussed during the interview to demonstrate your attentiveness and engagement. You can mention specific topics, projects, or qualifications that were particularly interesting or relevant. This helps reinforce your understanding of the role and showcases your fit for the position.
6. Address Any Follow-up Items
If any outstanding questions or concerns were raised during the interview, address them in your email. This is an opportunity to provide further clarification or offer additional information that may strengthen your candidacy.
7. Personalize the Message
Include a personal touch in your email by mentioning something specific from the interview or any connection you established. Personalization helps create a lasting impression and reinforces your engagement. This could be a:
- Shared interest
- Memorable conversation
- Particular company culture that resonated with you
8. Conclusion and Next Steps
Conclude your email by expressing your continued interest in the position and eagerness to move forward in the recruiting process. Offer your availability for any further discussions or interviews and state that you look forward to hearing from them.
9. Closing and Signature
Use a professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your full name. Include your contact information beneath your signature, such as your phone number and email address.
10. Proofread and Send Promptly
Before sending, carefully proofread your email for any spelling or grammatical errors. Once you are satisfied with the content, promptly send the email within 24-48 hours of the interview to ensure it reaches the interviewer or hiring manager on time.
Interview Thank You Email Sample
Here’s a sample email you can follow as a template, highlighting the things discussed in this article to help you write yours successfully.
Sample Thank You Email
Subject: Thank You – Marketing Manager Interview
Dear Ashley,
Thank you for taking the time to interview me this morning. I truly enjoyed our conversation about the Marketing Manager position and gaining insights into how the role functions within your organization. The collaborative environment and the seamless synergy between the marketing and advertising teams truly impressed me as a recipe for achieving remarkable goals and optimizing overall performance.
The Marketing Manager position aligns perfectly with my career aspirations, particularly because of the rewarding opportunities for leadership and advancement it offers. With a master’s degree in marketing from Edison University and over seven years of experience leading successful marketing teams, I believe my skills and expertise make me an excellent fit for this role.
I eagerly look forward to further discussions about this exciting opportunity. Please feel free to reach out to me to arrange a follow-up interview at your convenience. I’m available at 555-555-5555 or brandonpower@email.com.
Thank you once again for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Brandon Power
What to Avoid in Your Thank You Email
When crafting your email after an interview, there are a few things you should avoid to ensure you maintain a professional tone and make a positive impression. Here are some things to steer clear of:
1. Lengthy or Rambling Message
Keep your email concise and to the point. Avoid going off on tangents or including unnecessary details. Remember, the purpose of the email is to show appreciation and reinforce your interest, so stay focused on those key points.
2. Generic or Impersonal Content
Avoid sending a generic, one-size-fits-all email. Instead, personalize it by referencing specific aspects of the interview or discussion that stood out to you. This demonstrates that you paid attention during the interview and helps you stand out from other candidates.
3. Grammatical or Spelling Errors
Take the time to proofread your email before sending it. Grammatical or spelling errors can detract from your professionalism and attention to detail. Double-check your message for any mistakes, and consider using a spell-check tool or asking someone else to review it for you.
4. Mentioning Salary or Benefits
While it’s important to discuss compensation and benefits during the interview process, your email is not the appropriate place for it. Avoid mentioning salary negotiations or specific benefits you’re seeking. Focus on expressing gratitude and reiterating your interest in the position.
5. Desperation
When conveying your enthusiasm, avoid coming across as desperate or overly eager in your email. Maintain a balanced tone of appreciation and professionalism. You want to appear confident and interested but not desperate for the job.
6. Excessive Follow-up Inquiries
Your email is an opportunity to clarify any misunderstandings or provide additional information. Avoid bombarding the interviewer with excessive follow-up inquiries or requests for updates. It’s acceptable to express your continued interest and inquire about the next steps in a polite manner, but don’t overdo it.
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