How To Write A Thank You Email After An Interview (With Examples)
You've navigated the start of the job application process, spoken with one of your chosen company's representatives, and now need to know how to write a thank-you email after an interview. This small step can be the way you push ahead of the pack for the position, letting your interviewer know you care deeply about the job, the team, and the time they invested in you. However, the art of writing an interview thank-you letter isn't an exact science. It can change drastically depending on the job you're seeking and the person with whom you're conversing.
The team here at DARCARS Careers has received – and our employees have written – thousands of thank-you letters. Let's go over the qualities that make them shine, and what you can do to avoid getting lost in an inbox.
Why Should You Write a Thank You Email (After Interview)?
To start, what's the goal of a post-interview thank-you email? You have two major reasons to write one of these:
- As a Reminder: An interview thank you email keeps your name fresh in the mind of the person moving your application forward. It's a great way to remind them just how competitive you are for the role.
- As a Communication Showcase: Your thank-you note after interview questions is also a way to show how engaged you were in the conversation and how you communicate with your co-workers. It shows that you care about the time the interviewer spent with you, which can help you stand out from your peers.
Key Components of Your Email
Now that we've pinned down why this letter is so important, let's break it down into its base parts:
- Subject: The subject of your email is short and sweet, typically something as simple as "Thank You - [Your Name]." It should be distinct and easy to distinguish from other emails in your interviewer's inbox.
- Intro: The first sentence should be a quick reminder of who you are. This doesn't have to be a recap of your resumé: your most notable identifier, such as what school you're an alumnus of or an exciting award, is all this sentence needs.
- The Thanks: Now that you have identified yourself, write a short and sweet "thank you for the opportunity," "your time," or "the conversation."
- Expanding on Your Interview: The last sentence(s) should include reminders from your conversation (to show you were fully engaged with the information the interviewer provided) and reinforcing why you think you're the choice for the job. That could be a reminder of your skill set or a qualitative way you improved your previous company. However, a job interview thank you email should be on the shorter side (between three and six sentences), so don't let this part go on too long.
You don't necessarily need to structure your thank-you letter after the interview exactly as written above. However, you likely want all of these aspects included so your company representative will recognize you and understand how interested you are in this job.
Key Steps to Write an Effective Thank You Email
- Remember Key Parts of the Interview: Pay close attention to what your interviewer is discussing during your interview. See what they smile and nod at, and follow up appropriately.
- Reflect: Before you start writing, take some time to think about the conversation. The best thank-you emails we've received are genuinely enthusiastic about the position.
- Write the Intro: You have a ton of identifiers, so lock in the most relevant one for the job. That could be which school you're an alumnus of, your most recent position, or even as simple as what time of day your interview was.
- Figure out the End: After you write the initial thank-you portion, you should try to write about the moments of the interview you liked the most. These should be short but sweet.
- Re-read: After you've written your thank-you email for interview questions, sit down and read it through once or twice. Make sure it's quick and to the point, free of typos and significant grammatical errors, and makes sense when read aloud.
Template for a Thank You Email
While it is extremely important to write a personalized thank-you letter to maximize its impact as a tool that helps you stand out, having a sample thank-you email after interview conversations can be a great way to get inspired. Let's learn how to write a thank-you email after an interview.
Example One
This example is neutral, combining informal language with formal accomplishments for situations where your interviewer introduced themselves in a very typical manner.
Dear [Interviewer's Name Here],
My name is [name], the alumnus from [College/High School] that you spoke to on [day of the week]. Thank you so much for the opportunity to talk to you! I'm such a huge fan of this company, especially since I learned about [company program (if you researched it yourself before the interview, this can have more impact)]. I'm even more confident that my unique blend of [skill and another skill] will bring a fresh perspective to the [job] role.
Hope to talk again soon!
[Name]
Example Two
This example is more formal, though it tries not to go too far: In formal conversations, you still want to be personable enough to express human interest in the position.
To whom it may concern,
This is [name], the [current job title] who interviewed for the [desired role] position this morning. I'd like to thank you for our conversation earlier today. While I'm confident my history at [previous company] will lead to my success in the role, your assurance that I'll receive [benefits] gives me confidence that this is the perfect place for me to continue growing as a [job title]. To work at a company that values my experience so highly is ideal, and I know that my [award/accolade] [is/are] sure to make everyone on the team a new, reliable co-worker.
Sincerely,
[Name]
Example Three
Some interviewers have such a casual and personable tone that you're basically chatting with a friend the entire time. While it's important not to send emojis or shorten words in a business email, you should do what you can to match their tone and respond in kind.
Hey [interviewer name]!
It's [name], the alumnus from [College/school] whom you talked to yesterday. I'm really excited to have gotten the chance to speak with someone from [company]! It's clear you guys are just as pumped to work with [company] as I am, and hearing that you all engage with [community outreach or interesting shared activity] has me ready to work as soon as possible. Making this the next place to grow as a [job title] is an absolute dream, andI know that my [skill] and [another skill] serve as a brand-new element that the team could really use. I can't wait to meet the rest of you!
All the best,
[Name]
Important Tips
Here are a few ideas to explore as you take part in the job application process.
- Take Notes During Your Interview: Be an active listener and write down a handful of facts that excite you about your position. That way, your thank-you email can directly reference the conversation.
- Personalization: You really don't want to include generic or AI-generated content in a thank-you letter. Take your time and consider the positive aspects of your conversation and elements of the company that genuinely interest you. It might take several hours to make it perfect, but make sure you take that time.
- Self-Research: While remembering parts of your interview is a great way to show you were paying close attention, you could also mention additional benefits not necessarily discussed during your conversation, such as company programs or community outreach. That shows your interest extends beyond the specifics you needed for the interview.
- Timing (Same Day): If your interview is in the morning or very early afternoon and you're happy with your note, consider sending the thank-you email on the same day. That shows your interest, reinforces your interview's high points, and may well catapult your placement to the top of the representative's mind.
- Timing (Next Workday): However, depending on when you were interviewed and how long it takes to write a passionate, personalized email, you may want to wait until around 10 a.m. on the next workday.
- Leave Out Any Negative Parts: You don't need to apologize for mistakes made during your interview, or try to negotiate salary or schedule during this letter. This thank-you note should be as positive as possible.
Follow-Up Best Practices
So you sent the thank-you and are waiting for a response. What should you do in the meantime?
- Wait a Week: You deserve to know more information about when, where, and how you can take the next steps. However, you should wait about five to seven business days before firing off a follow-up email. Interviews for the position might still be going on even a week out, so the interviewer might still be engaged in screening other candidates.
- Keep it Short: Ask for next steps or a timeline, but do so quickly and formally. Put a simple subject in, like "Next Steps - [Your Name]" to catch their attention, and then keep the email to one or two sentences.
- Reinforce Your Interest: For a two-sentence email, one sentence should be a reminder of who you are and your interest in your position.
- Ask Politely For Next Steps: As a candidate for the position, you have a right to know what to expect. However, the interviewer likely has several other individuals to look after. Try to use soft language here, such as "Just wanted to touch base and see if there have been any updates for [job title].
Work With DARCARS Careers
Now that you've learned the importance of sending a thank-you email after an interview, you can use this technique when you apply to a DARCARS Automotive Careers position. We offer a sweeping range of automotive industry opportunities, from mechanics to salespeople, with roles in management to career starters available. You'll speak with experienced interviewers who are ready to get you on the road to success.
You can add to your knowledge base by reviewing our DARCARS Benefits packages, providing an excellent way to personalize your thank-you email – and then reap the rewards when you join our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you professionally say "thank you" in an email after an interview?
When you're saying thank you after an interview, it's important to do the following:
- Write a clear subject referencing the interview.
- Reference positive moments from your conversation.
- Reiterate your specific interest in the company or role.
- Reinforce how your specific skill set will match the job.
- Draft and send the email as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours.
Be civil and courteous, matching the interview's tone when possible.
How long should you wait to write a thank-you email after an interview?
If you want to write an effective thank-you email, it's best to do so as soon as possible after the interview, or on the next workday. By composing a thoughtful yet immediate email, you demonstrate your dedication to the role and your ability to communicate effectively. If you choose early on the next day, you stay relevant with your interviewer by reminding them of you.
What should you not say in a thank-you note after an interview?
When writing a thank-you note, you should avoid the following pitfalls:
- Don't come off as desperate through flattery or begging.
- Generic language or AI-generated content can seem impersonal and lazy.
- Talking about your salary via email, rather than face-to-face, can make you seem arrogant or lacking confidence.
- Try not to be too formal or too casual; match the tone of the conversation you just had.