Are you looking to seal the deal after that all-important job interview? A well-crafted thank you email might just be the secret sauce that clinches the position you’re vying for. It’s not just a courtesy; it’s a chance to showcase your professionalism and reiterate your eagerness to join the team.
Feel free to jump to any particular advice or read through this blog for the full guide:
- Email the Person who Interviewed You
- Do Not Forget to Say “Thank You”
- Be Concise and Polite
- Proofread Everything
- Additional Tips and Advice
- Sample Email Templates
Let’s explain more.
Email the Person who Interviewed You
Sending it to the right person is important. Usually, it will be the individual or panel that interviewed you. Ensure you have their accurate contact information, including their email address, to prevent any mistakes.
Address them properly, using their title and name unless you established a more informal relationship during the interview.
For instance, if John Smith interviewed you, start the email with “Dear Mr. Smith”, if they asked you to call them “John” during the interview, you have the freedom to do so.
Do Not Forget to Say “Thank You”
The core essence of a thank you email is, of course, to express gratitude. This is your chance to genuinely thank the interviewer for their time, consideration, and the opportunity to interview for the position. Make sure to include a heartfelt expression of gratitude in the opening paragraph of your email.
A simple “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me” or “I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the [position name] with you” can go a long way. Remember, your gratitude should be sincere and not just a formality. Acknowledging the interviewer’s time and consideration can set a positive tone for the rest of your message.
Be Concise and Polite
Being polite is important, and brevity is how you can be polite about the other party’s time.
Keep your message concise, ideally limited to a few sentences. Avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations. Get straight to the point while maintaining a polite and professional tone throughout the email. Being concise not only respects the recipient’s time but also ensures that your message is clear and easily digestible.
Use courteous language and maintain a respectful tone, avoid any negative remarks or criticism, and focus on the positive aspects of the interview. Do not forget to mention your interest in the position.
Proofread Everything
Before hitting that send button, it is crucial to proofread your email thoroughly. This is potentially your last opportunity to make a positive impression on the interviewer, so you want to ensure your communication is error-free and polished. Typos, grammatical mistakes, or formatting issues can end up undermining your heartfelt gratitude.
Take the time to carefully review your email and consider using a spelling and grammar checking tool to catch any mistakes. It is also good practice to read the email aloud to yourself to check for clarity and tone. An email without mistakes might not leave a great impression, but one with mistakes will surely lower your professionalism score.
Sample Email Templates
You will be able to find all of these email templates at the end of this article for you to copy and paste to your heart’s desire. But do not forget to change the placeholders with your own information!
Template 1: Expressing Gratitude
- Subject Line: By being concise and clearly conveying the purpose of the email, which is to express gratitude for the interview, you help the recipient understand the email’s content immediately.
- Greeting: By starting with a polite and personalized greeting, and addressing the interviewer by name, you add a personal touch to your email, which makes it far more likely to have an impact than a generic “Hello!”
- Expressing Gratitude: The first sentence expresses sincere gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the specific job in question. It acknowledges the importance of the interview and the value of the conversation.
- Acknowledgment of Insights: You briefly mention the insights gained during the interview and the value of the conversation, reinforcing your interest in the position and the company. This demonstrates your active engagement during the interview. You may mention a specific insight to further cement your diligence.
- Reaffirming Interest: The email ends with a concise statement reaffirming your enthusiasm for the role. This is a subtle way to express continued interest in the position without being overly repetitive.
Template 2: Reiterating Interest
- Subject Line: The whole point of a thank you email is to do exactly that, express your gratitude for the opportunity. But here we are sprinkling a bit of excitement on top by expressing our expectations.
- Greetings & Gratitude: Similar to last time, we personalize our greeting by addressing the interviewer by name, then we follow it with an expression of gratitude for the interview and the opportunity to discuss the specific position.
- Specific Details: We mention the positive experience of learning about the team and their projects. If something specific excited you, this is the time to mention it. This subtly highlights your active engagement during the interview.
- Offering Further Information: We finally end our email with welcoming any additional inquiries or requests for information. This shows your willingness to engage further and assist with any follow-up questions or concerns.
Additional Tips and Advice
While you now have a comprehensive guide to crafting the perfect thank you email after your interview, there are a few more tips to help you stand out and increase your chances of landing the job:
-
Timeliness Matters: Send your thank you email within 24 hours after the interview. This quick response showcases your eagerness and strong follow-up skills.
-
Customize Your Message: Personalize your thank you email by referencing specific points from the interview. Mention something memorable from your discussion to show that you were actively engaged and attentive.
-
Reiterate Your Qualifications: Remind the interviewer of your qualifications and the value you can bring to the role. Briefly highlight key skills or experiences that make you a perfect fit for the position.
-
Ask for Next Steps: Politely inquire about the next steps in the hiring process. This demonstrates your enthusiasm and proactive approach to the job opportunity.
-
Stay Professional: Maintain professionalism throughout your communication. Avoid any casual language, slang, or overly informal expressions. Your email should reinforce your suitability for the position.
-
Send Separate Emails: If you were interviewed by multiple individuals, send a personalized thank you email to each person. This shows your respect for their individual contributions to the interview process.
-
Use the Subject Line Wisely: Craft a clear and concise subject line that reflects the purpose of your email. An effective subject line makes it easier for the recipient to identify your message.
-
Follow Up if Necessary: If you haven’t heard back within the expected time frame, it’s entirely appropriate to send a polite follow-up email. Reiterate your interest and inquire about the status of your application.
-
Maintain Your Enthusiasm: Even if you find the job might not be the perfect fit after the interview, keep your enthusiasm intact. You never know when you might cross paths with these professionals again or when another opportunity within the company arises.
Remember, your thank you email is your chance to leave a memorable impression and emphasize your genuine interest in the role. By following these additional tips, you’ll not only showcase your professionalism but also increase your chances of making a lasting impact on your potential future employer.
Happy job hunting!
