5 Tips for Writing the Best Thank-You Email After a Job Interview

It finally happened! Having sent out application after application, you managed to snag an interview for a job you really want. You're on cloud nine because the interview went so well. Does this mean you've reached the finish line, and all that’s left to do is wait for the (hopefully good) call? Well, not quite yet. There's still one thing to do that could help you land the job—send a thank-you email after your interview. 

Sending a post-interview thank-you note can help you stand apart, keeping your name at the forefront of the hiring manager’s mind and painting you as a thoughtful, considerate, and grateful person. 

Here are five ways to make that email shine and help you get that offer you've been after. If you need help with this process, get a professional follow-up template.

1. Make it personal

Personalize your letter because a generic thank-you email that could have been sent to anyone won’t do much to impress. 

Start by addressing the person who interviewed you by name. If you connected with them over something, strengthen that bond and mention it in the email. Perhaps you live in the same neighborhood or went to the same college. You never know—that connection may be what tips the scales in your favor. 

You can also touch on specific things that happened or were said during the interview to prove you’re actually writing the email and not just firing off a generic thank-you note.

2. Show your gratitude

Always thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you and for considering you for the position. This is, after all, the primary purpose of a thank-you letter! 

Your thank-you note is another chance to let them know you were worth their time. Use the opportunity to reiterate your experience and how your qualifications make you the best candidate for the job. A good strategy is to mention one or two skills the company included in its job listing, how they apply to you, and how you can add value to the company if hired.

3. Express your interest

Tell the recruiter again how interested you are in the position. This can give you an edge over other candidates. Employers prefer hiring someone who is excited to work for them over someone who wants any job just for the money, so be sure to let your passion shine through. Express your interest in your cover letter, during the job interview, and then again in your thank-you email, but don’t go overboard—you want to be sure you come off as genuine.

You could write something like this: “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be considered for this position. I’ve been looking for a company that focuses on leadership development, and I know I’d be the perfect fit for this position.”

4. Impress them with your attention to detail

Mention something that stood out during the interview. Perhaps the interviewer told you something unique about the company. Show them you were focused and paying attention by bringing it up in your email. Here, it’s often less about what you say and more about showing off your soft skills.

For example, you could say, “I’m so glad you told me that the company received media coverage for its focus on sustainability. That’s something I’m passionate about as well.”

5. Proofread before you hit "send"

Correct grammar and spelling are just as critical in your thank-you email as they are in your resume and cover letter. Small mistakes and silly typos could cost you the job. When an employer is evaluating dozens of candidates, even a slight error can take you out of the running. 

Before you hit "send," go over your email a couple of times, then read it out loud. This will improve your chances of catching any mistakes. If you want to be absolutely sure, send your text to a professional proofreader after that. Since thank-you letters are short, hiring an expert won’t cost that much, and you can rest assured that you’re presenting yourself professionally.

Getting a thank-you email in the hiring manager's inbox quickly (no more than 24 hours after the interview) can work in your favor. While most employers expect these letters, many candidates neglect to write them, which will make you stand out during the decision-making process. This one little letter could be the factor that puts you above a similarly qualified candidate. Use it as another opportunity to showcase why you're the best fit for the job. If you need help writing your thank-you email, consider using our professional letter templates.