How to: Write a Post-Interview Thank You Email

Most people don’t do it, but writing a short + sweet “thank you” email after a job interview can massively improve your chances of getting the job. 📈

It showcases your professionalism, your manners, and your attention to detail. It communicates that you’re a seasoned professional who understands the etiquette of a professional workplace, and you’re considerate of their time and energy. No (good) hiring manager will ever look at a thank you email and think “wow, this is dumb”.

In this post, we'll go over the architecture of a well-written thank you email (that miiiight just make you snag the job!)

Step 1: Subject + Greeting

Subject: One of my best pro tips is to nail your email subject. I love something like:

Thank You | Video Editor Role | Erin McGoff

👆 Always include your FULL NAME in the subject line. It helps them remember who you are, especially at bigger companies that are hiring a ton of people every month.

Greeting: Address the recipient of the email by their name and use a professional greeting. You can use "Dear [Interviewer's Name]," or "Hello [Interviewer's Name]," followed by a comma. If they emailed you directly to set up the interview, respond to that thread. If you don’t have their email, you should’ve asked for it at the end of the interview! 😭 Remember to do that next time & see if you can send them a note on Linkedin in the meantime :)

Step 2: Express gratitude

Start by thanking the interviewer for taking the time to speak with you about the job opportunity. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about the company and the position. For example, "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the [Position] role at [Company Name]. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the company and the position." It’s helpful to repeat the role/position!

Step 3: Reinforce your interest

This is important: reiterate your interest and enthusiasm. Let the interviewer know that you're excited about the opportunity and that you're looking forward to hearing back from them! For example, "I'm excited about the opportunity to work with such a great team at [Company Name]. The [Position] role sounds like a great fit for my skills and experience, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about the next steps."

Step 4: Mention something specific

Think back to a specific reference from the interview. Did you cite a study? Did you mention a video or restaurant? Is there a certain case study you wanted to follow up on? Send them a little nugget here — something helpful or interesting. I once attached a photo of my dog because we talked about how we both had boxers! (I got the job, too!)

Step 5: End with a professional closing

End the email with a professional closing. You can use "Best," “Warm Regards,” or "Sincerely," followed by your name. If you want to add a personal touch, you can include a sentence about looking forward to speaking with the interviewer again or thanking them for their time. For example, "Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon."

Step 6: Proofread (!!) and send

Before sending the email, proofread it for spelling and grammar errors. Make sure that the email is concise and to the point. Once you're satisfied with the content, send the email to the interviewer. I highly recommend Grammarly for proofreading.

REMEMBER: Writing a thank you email is common post-interview etiquette and is greatly appreciated by hiring teams. Write a draft, keep it in your notes app or something, and send them out later that day. You got this! 👏👏👏