Aceing the interview Thank You Note
Why should you send a follow-up thank you note?
It’s what hiring managers want:
Surveys show that the vast majority of employers like to receive follow-up thank you notes. And yet, according to one study, 57% of candidates don’t send them.
So do the math: sending a thank you email puts you ahead of over half of the competition.
It’s what you want:
It’s an opportunity to continue and advance the conversation you are having with a perspective employer.
When should you follow up after an interview?
The sooner the better. The same day as the interview or the next morning, but no later than 24 hours later.
What’s the best way to write a follow-up to an interview?
Start with a subject line that’s short and makes it clear what the email is about. Some examples:
Thank you, [Interviewer’s Name]!
Thanks for your time today!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Appreciate your time and advice.
Thank you! I enjoyed learning more about [Company Name].
Be polite and clear in the body of the email:
Open with a formal salutation and address the hiring manager by name (e.g. “Dear Sarah,” not “Hi!”
Express your appreciation for their time and reinforce your interest in the position.
Refer to specific company topics or goals that were discussed during the interview.
Suggest how your experience and skills can help with their challenges.
Say that you’re happy to provide any additional information, if necessary.
Ask if there is a date by which a final decision will made.
If you interviewed with several people, send a separate follow-up note to each of them.
Here’s a sample follow-up to get you started:
Subject: It was a pleasure to learn more about [Company Name]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me about the [the job you’re applying for] position at [Company Name] this morning. It was a pleasure to learn more about your [innovative strategy / upcoming challenges / core values / industry insights/etc.]
The details you provided me with convinced me that this is a job I would very much enjoy and one where I could make a valuable contribution with my skills and experience, particularly [refer to your specific area of expertise and how it can benefit your employer].
I was also thinking about what you said regarding [specific issue discussed during the interview]. In my last role as [your current or most recent position] I found that [results-based explanation of how you have tackled a related issue OR how you would approach it based on pertinent knowledge or experiences ].
OPTIONAL: Finally, attached you will find [details/examples] of some of my [projects] we talked about.
Please feel free to contact me if you find you need any more information. I look forward [to our call next week as discussed, continuing our discussion, meeting with your colleagues, etc.]
Thank you once again, [Hiring Manager’s First Name].
Best regards,
Your first name
Your email signature with full name & phone number