Why You Should Send a Post-Interview Thank You Email (and How to Write It Well)

Candidate Advice
Written By Rebecca Rodriguez

Should you send a post-interview Thank You email? Channeling Emily Post here and answering: Yes.

Maybe it’s because I was made to go to etiquette camp in the Deep South and taught to address my elders as “ma’am” and “sir,” but I strongly believe you should send a Thank You to your interviewers.

Why Should You Send One?

  • It demonstrates you were actively listening and engaged.

  • It’s an opportunity to remind the interviewer of a point of connection.

  • It demonstrates your active interest in the role.

  • It is polite to thank someone for their time.

  • You never know when you may see these people again. It can become a connection you leverage later on, outside of the scope of the interview.

The Thank You email alone will not move the needle, but in a world where most interactions can feel impersonal, it is a humanizing gesture.

How To Write One: A Simple Formula 

The post-interview Thank You email formula is simple:

  1. Start with a line thanking them for their time.

  2. Reference something you discussed in the interview. This could be:

    1. Something that drew your attention regarding the team/practice.

    2. Something you found interesting about their background.

    3. A point of connection made.

  3. Close with something open ended, reminding them of your continued interest. For example:

    1. I’m excited about the possibility of joining the team.

    2. Please let me know if there is anything further I can provide as you make your decision.

  4. BONUS: Add a warm sentiment, if appropriate (if the weekend is coming up, they mentioned a vacation, etc.).

What To Expect

While I believe they are worth sending, don’t expect a response. For every five Thank You emails I sent I typically received one response. Sometimes, however, the responses were extremely warm and allayed any fears I may have had about my interview performance.

A Small Word of Caution

A poorly written Thank You email can hurt you. If it contains typos, is grammatically incorrect, too curt, or too canned, it will not reflect well on your candidacy. You can recycle some lines person to person, but do not copy-paste the same email to everyone who interviewed you.

A little polish goes a long way. We hope these tips help as you take your next steps.

Rebecca Rodriguez