When recruiting for a role, employers often find themselves interviewing dozens of candidates and reading through even more job applications by eager and impressive graduates. One effective technique to stand out is to send a thank you email after your interview. This shows that you are not only considerate of the interviewer’s time, but seriously interested in the role. It also places you in the forefront of the employer’s mind. Here are our top tips for writing the perfect thank you email.
1. Keep the subject line short and sweet
First, ensure that your subject line is direct and short. “Thank you for the interview” is sufficiently clear and nicely sums up the contents of the email.
2. Address the interviewer
Then address the email to the interviewer by name. Ensure you use the correct spelling of their name and their correct title. If you were interviewed by a panel, address them all by name in the email. Incorrect spelling can signal a lack of attention to detail.
It is also a good idea to mention both the job title and company you are interviewing for as the organisation may have employed an independent recruiter to conduct their hiring.
3. Make it personal
After thanking the interviewer for their time and for considering you for the role, personalise the email by including why you want to work for the company and why you are suited to the role. Keep this short, ideally 1-2 sentences. This is a good way to allow the interviewer to easily place a name to the face, considering how many candidates they may have interviewed.
4. Wrap it up
End the email by reiterating your thanks and making it clear that you are more than happy to answer any questions they may have and are available to provide additional information if necessary.
5. Additional tips
Refrain from rambling in the email or being too aggressive in reiterating why you should get the job. Too much information can make it seem as if you are not confident with the responses in your interview and wish to provide an alternative pitch to why you are qualified for the role. Remember - the interview was your opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for the role and this email is merely a professional courtesy. If you have any additional questions about the role, send a separate email.
Ensure that your spelling and grammar is accurate. In particular, if the role requires communication and administrative work typos are a bad look. Be sure to maintain a professional tone as this is still official correspondence during the application process.
Lastly, it is ideal to send the email within 1-2 days of your interview. If it is sent any later, the email may be seen as an afterthought or a late and insincere attempt to successfully acquire the role.
Example Email
Subject Line: Thank You for the Interview Dear [Interviewer Name/s], Thank you again for providing me with the opportunity to interview for the role of [role name] on [date] at [organisation]. It was a pleasure to meet you and learn more about the company and this position. I am very excited at the prospect of having the opportunity to utilise my [relevant skill] in helping the company achieve its [vision/goal]. I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps in the hiring process soon. If you have any questions or require further information please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards, [Your Name] |
See more of our tips on how to engage with recruiters here.