Thank you email after interview — with 25 samples and template

The interview's done, and it's time to sit back and relax? Wrong. It's professional and polite to send a short thank you email to your recruiter. If done correctly, it can improve your personal brand and even increase your chances of getting the job or that coveted final interview.

We know that many job seekers struggle with how to say thank you after an interview, so we've created this in-depth article that answers all your questions.

In this manual for thank you emails after an interview, we use our combined experience of over 35 years of email writing, as part of over 150 email writing guides we've produced - to show you how to create effective messages that will make the best impression.

You'll learn when to send a thank you email after an interview, what to include (and exclude), and how to shape your response to different circumstances.

In our guide on how to send a thank you email after an interview, we include 25 examples that you can use to shape your emails.

We also introduce you to MailMaestro, your personal AI email writer that can write your emails for you.

Should I send a thank you email after an interview?

Let's start by answering one of the most common questions job seekers ask: should I send thank you email after the interview? 

The answer is 100% yes, and here's why. 

Competition for jobs is fierce, and even securing an interview is a tough task. For example, according to Fortune, In 2024, the job market in the United States was characterized by a significant imbalance between job applications and job openings.

As of mid-2024, there were approximately 173 million job applications submitted in the first half of the year, which represents a 31% increase compared to the same period in 2023. In contrast, only about 19 million new job openings were created during that time, marking a 7% increase from the previous year.

Think it gets easier when you've got an interview? It doesn't. The average company will interview between 6-10 applicants for each role. Before making an offer, they'll see each candidate 2 or 3 times to identify the person who best suits the role.

In such a competitive market, you must take every opportunity you can to make the best impression. A well-written and engaging post-interview email is a professional courtesy to improve your personal brand. 

It demonstrates to the recruiter that you're passionate and proactive. It shows that you're motivated for the opportunity and inspired to act.

A post-interview email also allows you to clarify details, provide additional information that you promised during the meeting, and even the chance to clear up any misunderstandings that may have occurred.

Even if the recruiter chooses not to take your application forward, a post-interview email will keep you at the forefront of their minds for future opportunities.

It's not a case of whether you should write thank you email after an interview, but when. So, let's answer that question.

When to send thank you email after the interview?

Many jobseekers struggle with how soon to send a thank you email after an interview. Of course, access to smartphones means we can probably bash out a basic thank you in seconds, but that's not the right approach.

The accepted timeframe for sending a thank you email after the interview is 24 hours after the interview. This gives you enough time to reflect on the discussion and provide a considered response.

Why? "Taking the time to craft an informed answer, rather than a rushed one, is always going to benefit you in the long term," says entrepreneur A.M. Reid. Conversely, a thoughtless email reply is a "disaster in the making," he says, which can lead to anxiety and stress. 

Giving yourself time to reflect is crucial at crafting a professional post-interview email that elicits a positive response.

In some cases, you might wonder if sending the email later could still be effective. While it’s always best to send it as soon as possible, a thank you letter after interview examples show that a well-crafted message sent within 48 hours can still be beneficial. Delaying beyond this period might reduce the impact of your follow-up, as the interviewer might have already moved on to other candidates.

To avoid this, it’s a good idea to draft your thank you note shortly after the interview, reflecting on key points discussed and personalizing it to reinforce your interest in the role.

Utilizing an AI email assistant can help you quickly generate and customize your thank you for interview email sample. These tools can save you time and ensure your message is polished and professional.

Remember, the sooner you send your thank you note, the better your chances of making a lasting positive impression on your potential employer.

Email format for thank you email after interview

There are no actual rules on how to format a thank you email after an interview. Still, we suggest you approach it as you would when writing any other professional email. You must start with a formal email opening, introduce yourself professionally, and find words that strike the right tone and resonate with the recipient. While you may have made a personal connection with your interviewer(s), you must remain formal. 

The ideal interview thank you email format includes: 

• Targeted subject line
• Appropriate personal greeting
• Email body
• Appropriate sign-off

Let's look at each of these in greater detail.

1. Thank you email after interview subject line 

The thank-you email after the interview subject line is the first thing your recipient will see pop up in their inbox, so keep it simple.

Remember that you're applying for a job (or professional position or role), so keep your post interview thank you email subject professional even if you know the person you're emailing. The ideal interview thank you email subject line is short, sweet, and to the point.  

Here are a few thank you email interview subject lines you could use: 

• Thank you for the interview
• Thanks for meeting with me
• Great to meet today

Context is critical when deciding on an appropriate thank you for the interview email subject link. If you know the person, you can be a little less formal in the after interview thank you email subject. Check out our examples below to see how we've found the balance between personality and professionalism.

2. What to say in thank you email after interview  

You must include some standard things, but there is flexibility in what to say in the post-interview thank you email. It all depends on context. 

Here's what you must include in every post-interview thank you.

• Thank the interviewer for their time
• Explain why you're a good fit for the role
• Express enthusiasm about the future
• Offer to provide more information and answer any questions
• End the email politely and ask about future steps

Depending on the interview, your personal relationship, and professional context, here are a few things you could include in your email after an interview.

• Provide examples of works, links to previous organizations, etc.
• Answer any questions raised in the interview
• Links to social profiles, including LinkedIn
• Clarify any information and clear up any misunderstandings
• Add additional examples you have forgotten to mention in the interview

Ultimately, the decision on what to say in thank you email after the interview depends on the role, the recruiter, the situation, and the context. It can be nerve-wracking putting pen to paper (or finger to key), but our advice on how to thank someone for an interview is to keep things simple. Don't spend too much time worrying about how to write a thank-you note after an interview. Instead, follow our outline above, and you'll be writing crisp and clear correspondence straight away.

Sample thank you email after interview

We've outlined the fundamental parts of how to write a thank you after an interview; now, let's put it into practice. Here are 25 thank you emails after interview samples you can adapt and use. You shouldn't copy and paste them but use these samples to craft your own thank you letter after an interview. Ready to get started?

1. Thank you email after Zoom interview

A direct result of the pandemic is the increase in Zoom interviews. Zoom interviews can be challenging, but they're super-flexible and often fun too. So here's a standard thank you email after Zoom interview:  

2. Thank you email after a video interview

Microsoft Teams, Skype, Google Meet are popular video interview platforms you might use, but what happens if your connection plays up? After an interview, a professional thank you email can be used to tackle any issues head-on, providing reassurance that they won't happen again. So here's how to write a thank you email after a video interview that's gone wrong.

3. Thank you email after the virtual interview

A virtual interview is a popular choice for recruiters in the pandemic. Here's how to create a thank you email after a virtual interview.

4. Thank you email after a phone interview

Phone interviews are often the first stage in the process and (if successful) lead to a further interview in person. The core parts of a good phone interview thank you email are the same, but you'll want to push slightly for an in-person meeting. After a phone interview, you may find yourself writing to the person you spoke to or crafting a thank you email to the recruiter. Regardless of the audience, the approach is the same. Here's our thank you email after phone interview example.

5. The second interview thank you email

The second interview thank you email will likely be more in-depth, detailed, and targeted. Your second interview thank you email subject line can be slightly less formal, as you'll see in this, our next example.

6. Short thank you email after an interview

If you don't have the time, or simply don't want to write a lengthy message, our quick thank you email after the interview template is for you. This short and sweet thank you letter is suitable for all situations. But, of course, you can always add greater detail if you need to.

7. Thank you email after the final interview

The thank-you email after the final interview is likely to be your last chance of making a good impression before a decision is made. You may question the wisdom of sending a thank you email after the final round interview (mainly if a decision has already been made and you haven't been told), but trust us – it's essential. It demonstrates that you're enthusiastic, motivated, and still in the market for a new role. So even if this role isn't for you, a new one could be just around the corner. Here's our final interview thank you email template.

8. Simple thank you email after interview

Our simple interview thank you email demonstrates that more words don't mean greater impact. We've stripped this one back to the basics to provide a streamlined solution. This simple thank you email after the interview is ideal for those with limited time to reply.

9. College interview thank you email

Getting into college is more competitive than ever, and a well-written and conscientious college thank you email could see you grab a space. Colleges are searching for candidates with a rich academic background and broad personal interests, so feel free to add some of yourself to your messages. Here's a captivating college interview thank you email.

10. Internal interview thank you email

In this interview thank you email example, we focus on crafting an appropriate internal interview thank you email. You may know the person who interviewed you, and you'll undoubtedly have an insight into the company. Still, you should avoid being too friendly and focus on the fundamentals of a good post-interview thank you email. Here's how

11. Residency interview thank you email

A pharmacy residency interview thank you email can make a huge difference in securing a prized position. We prioritize your passion and professionalism in this post residency interview thank you email template. We've also provided a clear residency interview thank you email subject to help you stand out for all the right reasons.

12. Teacher interview thank you email

Becoming a teacher is a dream for many of us, and you'd expect teachers to write the best thank you emails, but it's not always the case. In this post teacher interview thank you email, we provide a logical way to express enthusiasm, explain your qualifications, and push for another interview. Here's a thank you email after a teacher interview template.

13. Thank you email after an academic interview sample 

Academic interviews are a chance for you to establish your credentials, share your experience and insights. In this thank you email after an academic interview, we show how you can express appreciation and promote your professional work. Here's our academic interview thank you email template.

14. Thank you email to a recruiter after an interview

Many of us find new jobs through recruitment agencies and consultants, so we should thank them too. This interview thank you letter sample demonstrates how you can thank a recruiter. This polite and professional response will likely keep them on your side and help you find future opportunities.

15. Medical school interview thank you email

Getting into medical school is a magnificent achievement because the entrance process is so competitive. A medical school interview thank you email is a must. In our example for a thank you email after the medical school interview, we establish our interest in the school, express our enthusiasm and explain why we're a great candidate. You can edit and adapt this medical school interview thank you email template to your circumstances and college.

16. Internship interview thank you email

In the working world, an internship can accelerate your career, which is why competition for the best is too fierce. A thank you internship interview email could make the difference between success and failure, so spend time crafting a message that shows insight, commitment, and passion. To help you, we've also included an appropriate internship interview thank you email subject line that you can use.

17. Grad school interview thank you email

Getting into grad school is tough, so make it a little easier with our thank you email after grad school interview template. We've focused on your academic qualifications, passion, and potential. 

18. Thank you email after an interview for administrative assistant

As we explained above, the average administrative assistant position will attract over 500 applications, so getting an interview is an incredible achievement. Our sample thank you email after the interview for an administrative assistant will help you take the next step to a second interview and appointment. In this sample of an administrative assistant thank you email after the interview, we focus on your core skills and determination to succeed.

19. Panel interview thank you email

Writing a thank you email after a panel interview is challenging as you must address multiple people. In this thank you email after a panel interview sample, we demonstrate how to address an email to several recipients and invite a future conversation and correspondence. Check out our panel interview thank you email example.

20. Thank you email after interview with multiple interviewers

Like the email above, when writing a thank you email after an interview with multiple interviewers, you have to address each individually and collectively. Here's an example of a thank you email after an interview to multiple interviewers.

21. First-round interview thank you email 

During the first round of interviews, recruiters search for opportunities to cut down on the numbers. A timely and targeted first interview thank you email will ensure you have a great chance of securing a slot for the second round. We keep things upbeat and positive in this example of a thank you email after the first interview.

22. Law firm interview thank you email sample

Law firms are famously discerning, with limited opportunities open to outsiders. They're also sticklers for detail, so accuracy and clarity are critical. Legal eagles will find our law firm interview thank you email template simple and clear.

23. Thank you email after an informational interview

Informational interviews are designed to get to a person's heart, problem or situation. You'll dig into the details during an informational interview, but you may want to add more afterward. In this thank you email after an informational interview template, we show you how to provide the information you need.

24. Thank you email after a group interview 

Group interviews are an opportunity for you to stand out and make an impression, something our sample thank you note after an interview will help you with.

25. Engineering interview thank you email 

Our example of a  thank you email after an engineering interview tackles the technical and provides a chance for you to demonstrate your knowledge and experience. It's tempting to stick everything in an email. Still, we've prioritized focusing on what's important: getting a second interview. Check out our engineering interview thank you email template below.

Need some more post-interview email inspiration?

We hope you can use one of these sample thank you emails after your interview. We've tried to keep them professional and to the point, as that's what readers want.

The most straightforward approach is to cut, paste and personalize them for your circumstances and situation. However, we recommend that you spend some time writing a thank you note after the job interview and focus on the critical points of your conversations.

A good tip is to jot down some notes straight after your interview. Make sure to include the topics you discussed, any questions you were asked, the information you needed to supply, or questions you wanted to ask (but didn't).

This can provide the background information for your post-interview email inspiration. 

Need to write a great thank you email after interview? Try MailMaestro for free!

MailMaestro can help you draft a professional thank you email in seconds. One of our standout features is the Improve existing email option. You can input your draft and MailMaestro's AI email assistant will refine it, making it more professional, concise, and compelling. Try it out below!

‍

{{product-component}}

‍

‍Want to join the 55,000+ companies already using our AI to write better emails, faster? Install our free extension, by clicking the links below:

• Add to Outlook (4.8 rating with 490+ reviews)
• Download Chrome extension for Gmail (5.0 rating with 140+ reviews)

🪄 MailMaestro tip:

Use MailMaestro's Improve existing email feature. Customize any of the email examples above to suit your needs. Or, enter a quick sentence explaining the message you'd like to convey. After filling in the placeholders, use MailMaestro's Improve existing email option. Then, paste your draft into the text box. Make sure to select your preferred email tone and length. And just like that, you'll have a polished email ready to send!

Writing the perfect interview thank you email

Writing the perfect interview thank you email isn't easy, but it's something you should always strive for.

Instead of rushing in, reflect on the discussion and review your notes before writing. Our interview thank you email templates illustrate how you can approach the task but should be used only as a starting point for you to edit, adapt and personalize to your unique needs. Over time, you'll find that creating compelling emails gets easier.

However, if you don't have the time or simply want to write effective post-interview emails without the mental drain, we suggest you take MailMaestro for a spin.

Conclusion - Why Post-Interview Thank You Emails Are Important

A well-crafted thank you email can reinforce your qualifications and leave a positive impression on your potential employer. It’s essential to send the email within 24 hours of the interview to show promptness and enthusiasm. By using these examples of thank you emails after an interview, you can ensure that your follow-up communication is effective and impactful.

Sending a thank you email after an interview is a vital step that can make a significant difference in your job search process. It demonstrates professionalism, courtesy, and a genuine interest in the role.

Moreover, sending a thank you email shows your attention to detail and your proactive approach, qualities that are highly valued by employers. It also provides you with an opportunity to reiterate your strengths and address any points you may have missed during the interview.

For more tips and email templates, download , an AI email assistant. Leverage AI to write personalized and compelling thank you emails faster and better. Always close your thank you emails with 'best regards' to maintain a professional tone.