How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview

You nailed the interview. Now there's one more thing that can set you apart: the thank-you email.

This isn't just politeness—it's strategy. A well-crafted thank-you can reinforce your candidacy, address any concerns, and keep you top of mind.

TL;DR:

• Send within 24 hours of your interview
• Keep it concise (under 200 words)
• Reference something specific from the conversation
• Reiterate your interest and fit
• Proofread twice before sending

Why Thank-You Emails Matter

Some hiring managers say a thank-you email won't get you the job—but not sending one can lose it.

Here's what a good thank-you does:

• Shows professionalism and follow-through
• Gives you a chance to reinforce key points
• Demonstrates genuine interest in the role
• Keeps your name fresh in their inbox

In a close race between candidates, the one who sends a thoughtful note often wins.

When to Send

Timing is crucial:

• Same day (ideal): Within 4-6 hours of your interview
• Next morning (acceptable): By 9 AM the following business day
• After 48 hours: Too late—the impact is diminished

If you interviewed with multiple people, send individual emails to each person.

What to Include

A strong thank-you email has five elements:

1. A Clear Subject Line

Keep it simple:

• "Thank you for your time today"
• "Great speaking with you about [role]"
• "Following up on our conversation"

2. Genuine Appreciation

Thank them for their time and the opportunity. Be specific about what you appreciated.

3. A Reference to the Conversation

Mention something specific you discussed. This shows you were engaged and helps them remember you.

4. Reiteration of Your Fit

Briefly reinforce why you're the right candidate. Connect your skills to what they need.

5. A Forward-Looking Close

Express enthusiasm about next steps without being pushy.

The Template That Works

Subject: Thank you for your time today

Hi [Interviewer name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the [Job title] role. I really enjoyed learning more about [specific thing—team structure, project, company initiative].

Our conversation reinforced my excitement about this opportunity. I was particularly drawn to [specific aspect of role or company], and I'm confident my experience with [relevant skill/achievement] would allow me to contribute quickly.

[Optional: If there was a concern or question you didn't fully address: "I also wanted to add to our discussion about [topic]. After reflecting, I think [brief additional point]."]

Thank you again for considering me. I'm looking forward to the possibility of working together and am happy to provide any additional information you might need.

Best regards, [Your name] [Phone number] [LinkedIn URL—optional]

Variations for Different Situations

After a Panel Interview

Send individual emails to each interviewer. Personalize each one by referencing something specific they said or asked.

After a Phone Screen

Keep it shorter. The recruiter has many candidates to manage—respect their time.

Hi [Name],

Thanks for the call today. I enjoyed learning about [specific detail] and am excited about the [Role title] opportunity.

I'm looking forward to the next steps. Please let me know if there's anything else you need from me.

Best, [Your name]

After a Technical Interview

Reference the problem you solved or discussed:

The technical discussion was engaging—I especially enjoyed working through [specific problem]. It gave me a great sense of the challenges your team tackles.

When You Want to Address a Weak Point

I wanted to follow up on your question about [topic]. While I don't have direct experience with [specific tool/process], I've quickly ramped up on similar technologies before, including [example]. I'm confident I could get up to speed quickly.

Mistakes to Avoid

Being too generic: "Thanks for the interview" with no specific details is forgettable

Writing a novel: Anything over 200 words is too long

Overselling: Don't rehash your entire resume

Sending the same email to everyone: Personalize for each interviewer

Typos and errors: Proofread twice—nothing undermines professionalism faster

Following up about the follow-up: One thank-you is enough. Don't ask about their timeline in this email.

What If You Forgot to Send One?

It's never too late for a thoughtful note, even if it's been a few days. Acknowledge the delay briefly:

I apologize for the delayed note—I wanted to take time to reflect on our conversation.

Then proceed with your thank-you message.

After the Thank-You

Once you've sent your note, the ball is in their court. Here's what comes next:

• Wait for their timeline: If they said "two weeks," wait two weeks
• Follow up once: If you haven't heard back past their timeline, a brief check-in is fine
• Keep applying: Never stop your search until you have an offer in writing

The Bottom Line

A thank-you email takes 10 minutes and can tip the scales in your favor. It's one of the easiest ways to stand out in a competitive hiring process.

Be genuine, be specific, and be timely. That combination is surprisingly rare—and surprisingly effective.