Career Advice
Post-Interview Email Etiquette: Thank You and Follow Up Emails after a Job Interview
The interview doesn’t end once you walk out the room.
Do you know there are job candidates who get ahead of the competition, just because they sent a thank you email and/or follow up email after the interview?
Is this easy to do? Definitely.
Does it require effort? Not much.
So how many people actually do this? Surprisingly, not many!
Be one of the few who do it right, and gain an advantage over your competition:
Thank You Email After Interview – Example
Close your interview with a Thank You email to leave a positive, lasting impression.
Send this email within a day from the interview.
You can also take the opportunity to clarify questions raised in the interview, or share additional information you didn’t get a chance to during the interview.
Here’s an example of an interview Thank You email:
Dear Mr. Leung, Thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the Marketing Manager position you are trying to fill for XYZ Company. I really enjoyed our conversation, and believe my background in marketing communications and management makes me a strong match for this position. I am especially grateful for your explanation of the unique structure of the Marketing team and how it closely collaborates with both the Sales and IT teams. I’m excited to learn more. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any additional questions for me. Thank you again for the opportunity to speak yesterday, and I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, |
ResumeWriter Tip: Never spam your interviewer! Send just ONE thank you email after the interview as a courteous gesture to thank the interviewer for his time. Don’t ask if you got the job right after the interview.
Follow Up Email After Interview – Example
A week’s passed, and you haven’t heard back from the hiring manager.
It’s time to send a follow-up email.
Hiring Managers are busy people with a multitude of tasks to complete. Sometimes, hiring candidates might be lower on their priority list.
The follow up email serves as a reminder to them, and also shows your interest in the role.
Here’s an example of an interview Follow Up email:
Dear Mr. Leung, Thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the Marketing Manager position you are trying to fill for XYZ Company. I really enjoyed our conversation, and believe my background in marketing communications and management makes me a strong match for this position. I am especially grateful for your explanation of the unique structure of the Marketing team and how it closely collaborates with both the Sales and IT teams. I’m excited to learn more. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any additional questions for me. Thank you again for the opportunity to speak yesterday, and I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, |
You could take this email a step further too.
Here’s another tip – instead of just saying “I’m following up on the interview…”, start your email by mentioning the latest company or industry developments, along with your personal thoughts about it, and ask the line manager for theirs.
This shows you’re well-read and you have a strong interest in the firm.
ResumeWriter Tip: Don’t spam follow up emails and chase hiring managers incessantly!
Keep In Contact Email After Interview – Example
What if you didn’t make the cut?
After persistent follow up, you learn that you’ve been rejected.
How do you acknowledge rejection with grace?
Respond with an email to thank the interviewer, and maintain a good relationship.
Honestly, you’ll never know when you’ll cross paths again, especially if you’re in the same industry.
Dear Mr. Leung, Hope this message finds you well. It has been 2 weeks since we interviewed for the position of Sales Manager for XYZ Company. I am still hopeful that you would consider me for the role as I am excited to be a part of your organisation. However, if you were able to choose a more suitable candidate, I totally understand. I’m sure there will be other opportunities for me out there. In case there will be other openings in the company that would match my qualifications and experiences as a Sales Executive, I do hope we can discuss the opportunity, say over a cup of coffee? Again, thank you and do keep in touch. Regards, |
The last impression you leave is just as important as the first.
Leave a lingering, positive impression with your courteous email note, and you’ll stand a higher chance of making it through the interview process.
ResumeWriter Tip: We’ve got more email templates and examples written exclusively for jobseekers like you. Check out our Email Templates package.