How to write a thank you email after an interview
Most candidates don't send a thank you email after an interview. That's your opportunity. A well-crafted follow-up email keeps you top of mind, reinforces your key points and signals the professionalism and attention to detail that employers actually want.
Should you always send one?
Yes, with very few exceptions. A thank you email is now expected in most professional environments — particularly in the UK, US and Europe. The only situations where you might skip it:
- The interviewer explicitly told you they'd get back to you within 24 hours (send it anyway, just make it brief)
- The role was very informal and the culture is clearly casual (adapt the tone accordingly)
The downside of not sending one is much greater than the downside of sending a well-written one.
When to send it
Within 24 hours of the interview — ideally within 2–4 hours while you're still fresh in the interviewer's mind. If you interviewed with multiple people, send a personalised email to each one. Do not send a group email.
What to include
- A genuine, specific thank you for their time
- A reference to something specific discussed in the interview — this shows you were engaged
- A brief restatement of why you're excited about the role
- Any point you forgot to make or want to reinforce
- A clear, confident close
Thank you email templates
Standard professional role
Dear [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the [role] position. I really enjoyed learning more about [specific project, team structure or challenge they mentioned] — it reinforced my excitement about the opportunity.
Our conversation about [specific topic discussed] confirmed that my experience in [relevant skill/area] would allow me to contribute quickly to [specific goal or challenge].
I remain very keen on the role and look forward to hearing about the next steps.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
After a panel interview
Dear [Name],
It was a pleasure to meet you and the team today. I particularly valued your perspective on [something specific they said or asked about].
I left the conversation more enthusiastic than ever about the role, and I'm confident that my background in [relevant area] would be a strong fit for the challenges you described.
Thank you again for your time — I look forward to the next stage.
Best regards,
[Your name]
What NOT to do
- Don't send the same email to everyone on the panel — personalise each one, even slightly
- Don't be sycophantic: "You were the most impressive interviewer I've ever met" is not the tone
- Don't ask about the outcome: "Did I get the job?" in the same email undermines the professionalism
- Don't send a very long email: Keep it to 4–6 sentences. This is a follow-up, not a second cover letter
- Don't use a template that clearly looks like a template: Always personalise with something specific from the conversation
Following up if you don't hear back
If the interviewer gave you a timeline ("we'll be in touch by Friday") and that date passes without contact, it's perfectly acceptable to send a brief follow-up: "I wanted to check in regarding the [role] — I remain very interested and would be happy to provide any additional information." Wait at least one full working day beyond the stated timeline before following up.
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