How to Send the Perfect Thank You Letter Following An Interview (With Examples and Templates)
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Picture this: You just wrapped up a great job interview. Maybe it was over Zoom, a phone interview, or even an in-person meeting with the team. You asked thoughtful questions, shared your experience, and walked away feeling confident that this could be a great fit. But before you sit back and wait for the next step in the hiring process, there’s one more important step to take: sending a thank you letter following an interview.
A thank you letter is more than just a polite gesture. It’s a key part of your interview follow-up strategy, giving you a chance to reinforce your interest, highlight a moment from the conversation, and leave a lasting good impression. Whether you send a thank you email or go the extra mile with a handwritten note, this small but thoughtful action can help set you apart from other candidates.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through why it matters, how much detail to include, examples of what to say, and when to send it. We’ll even share sample thank you notes for different interview scenarios – including a post-interview thank you email, follow-ups after a phone interview, and even a message for an informational interview.
Key Takeaways
A thank you letter following an interview is an important part of the hiring process that can improve your chances of landing the role.
Personalizing your message with specific references from the interview shows genuine interest and helps you stand out.
A clear, timely, and thoughtful thank you note demonstrates professionalism, follow-through, and emotional intelligence.
Why Should You Send a Thank You Letter After an Interview?
To some, writing a thank you note might feel old-fashioned, but it actually remains one of the most effective interview follow-up strategies. Here’s why it matters:
🌟 Shows Professionalism: Sending a post-interview thank you letter demonstrates that you’re respectful of the interviewer’s time and appreciative of the opportunity.
🌟 Reinforces Your Interest: A thank you email gives you the chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the job title and the company’s mission.
🌟 Keeps the Conversation Going: Your follow-up message can reference a specific part of your discussion, which helps make your application more memorable.
🌟 Sets You Apart: Not all candidates take the time to send a thank you note. Doing so can be a simple but powerful way to stand out.
🌟 Reflects Emotional Intelligence: Taking the time to follow up shows that you’re thoughtful, communicative, and proactive—qualities hiring managers value.
👉 In fact, consider these statistics from a CareerBuilder study:
22% of employers say they’re less likely to hire a candidate who doesn’t send a thank you note.
56% said not sending a thank you note showed the candidate was not serious about the position.
And 86% of hiring managers said not sending a thank you note demonstrated a lack of follow-through.
And if that’s not enough, there’s yet another reason to write a note. It can be a deciding factor for the hiring manager. If you’re neck-in-neck with another candidate and they write a great thank you letter, guess who will likely get the offer? It’s not worth risking job offer rejection. Writing a solid thank you note after the interview is an easy way to separate yourself from the 57% of job seekers who don’t send a thank-you note
What Should You Include in a Professional Thank You Note?
The best thank you letters are short, sincere, and tailored to the conversation you had. Here’s what to include to make yours stand out:
A genuine thank you for their time and the opportunity to connect.
A quick callback to something specific you discussed.
A simple sentence reaffirming your interest in the job title and team.
Bonus: Add a quick note if there’s anything important you forgot to mention.
✨Tip: Wondering how much detail to include? Keep your thank you email to about one to two short paragraphs. If you’re sending a handwritten note, one card-length message is perfect.
Post-Interview Thank You Letter Templates and Examples
Not sure where to begin? Here’s a template to follow and a few examples to inspire you!
🔶 Thank You Letter Email Template 🔶
Dear [Name of Hiring Manager],
Thank you so much for meeting with me today. It was a pleasure speaking with you and I am truly excited about the possibility of working for [Company Name].
I’d love to be a part of your team and help you to [increase sales, retain more customers, create new products, or expand service offerings]. My [skill, such as customer service, graphic design, leadership, etc.] experience and [another skill] expertise would help me to thrive in this position while making valuable contributions.
I look forward to hearing about next steps from you. If you need additional information, please reach out.
Best regards, [Your Name]
Example Thank You Email #1:
Dear Jennifer,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for meeting with me today. After discussing the accounting manager position, I’m excited about the chance to work for such a dynamic company. My experience as a CPA and specifically in business tax planning will help to ensure ABC Company can reduce exposure and minimize liabilities, as I’ve done with my current employer.
I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps. If, in the meantime, you have any further questions, please let me know.
Sincerely, Mike Smith
Example Thank You Email #2:
Dear Mr. Frey,
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the administrative assistant position. Our conversation gave me more insight into the job and I believe I’m an excellent fit for it, as a result, especially with 10 years of experience and strong interpersonal skills. I’m also already proficient in the software you use, as we discussed, and can hit the ground running with your team faster.
Please let me know about next steps when you get the chance. If you have additional questions in the meantime, call or email me. Again, thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.
All the best,
Lisa Morgan
Example Thank You Email #3:
Hello Ms. Michaels,
I wanted to thank you for inviting me in today. It was great to hear more about the position and your company. It seems like an amazing place to work, one I’d feel lucky to be a part of. You mentioned so many unique aspects to your business – it’s all so impressive!
Anyway, please let me know if any other questions came up or if you need additional information. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing from you.
Have a great day, Carrie Ross
Example Thank You Email #4:
Dear Ben,
It was great meeting with today. Thank you for explaining more about the company and role. It’s such an incredible opportunity.
I’m very interested in the job and believe my experience as a project manager will be valuable to your company. You mentioned that you’re in the process of building a new product to increase customer retention. I already have a few ideas I’d love to discuss. For instance, [include idea here].
Please contact me if you have any additional questions. I’m also including a link to my LinkedIn profile, where you can view additional information about my background. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, Sam Smith
Summary
Sending a thank you letter following an interview is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make a lasting impression. Whether it’s a thank you email or a handwritten note, this small gesture reinforces your interest, shows professionalism, and helps keep the conversation going! It’s a proven part of a strong interview follow-up strategy – and one that many job seekers still overlook.
Q&A
Q: Should I send a thank you letter after every job interview?
A: Yes. Whether it was a phone interview, Zoom call, or in-person meeting, sending a thank you note shows appreciation and professionalism.
Q: Is email or handwritten better?
A: A thank you email is perfectly acceptable and ensures timely delivery. A handwritten note adds a personal touch if time allows.
Q: How soon should I send a thank you letter after a job interview?
A: Within 24 hours. Promptness reinforces your interest and keeps you top of mind.
Q: What if I forgot to mention something during the interview?
A: A thank you note is a great place to briefly add anything you missed or clarify a point.
Q: Should I send a thank you note after an informational interview?
A: Absolutely. It shows respect for their time and helps build lasting professional connections.
Need Some Support Writing Your Thank You Note?
At ResumeSpice, we can help you craft a well-written thank you letter that will give you a leg up over other candidates, so you get the job you want. Our service includes a phone consultation, a personalized draft within two business days, and one round of revisions, followed by your final letter.
Ready to get started? Simply reach out at 832.930.7378 or contact us online.
