How to Write the Perfect Thank You Email

Are you a job candidate who does the bare minimum or one who puts in extra effort to impress employers? Sending a follow-up email after interviews isn't required to land a job, but it could make you more memorable than the competition. If you use this post-interview opportunity to share a final word about your qualifications and interest, it might help to move the hiring process along.

Say "Thank You"

Always start the note by thanking interviewers for their time, instead of going straight to self-promotion. You want a thank you email to come across as a thoughtful gesture, not an extended resume. Lead with a few positive thoughts about the company or the interview experience to show that you genuinely paid attention to each employer's needs.

Keep thank you emails concise, but fit in a compliment where you can. For example: "Thank you so much for meeting with me today. I was thrilled to learn your team is heading up the company's new customer-first initiative. I think it's a challenge to find companies who are deeply committed to building a customer-centric culture."

Point Out the Highlights

Help employers remember why you're a great fit for the job. Whether you had a solo or group interview, you're one face in a long line of contenders. And if the hiring process drags on, you want the hiring manager to be able to look back at your follow-up email and recall your conversation.

Try to draw connections between the company's values and your personal goals or qualities. For example: "I wholeheartedly agree that listening to customers is the key to growth and innovation. In my experience, the entire team is more productive and enthusiastic about helping customers when employees are empowered to solve problems. In my previous role, I was able to win back several customer accounts by providing flexible service."

Prove Your Worth

Leave employers with no doubt that you understand their needs and have the right skills to succeed. Follow-up emails give you one last chance to plug one or two skills you couldn't mention in the interview. Consider this example. "My past experiences as a call center representative and retail clerk have made me comfortable building rapport with customers in person and by phone."

Do your best to convey this information in one or two lines. A good follow-up email shouldn't be more than eight to 10 lines in total if you actually want the hiring manager to read it. You don't need excessive detail, just enough information to make employers want to meet with you again. If you work in a creative field, this is a good time to share a link.

Ask About the Next Steps

Avoid spamming employers with too many follow-up emails. As you wrap up the email, ask what you should expect in the coming weeks. If the employer gives you a timeline, don't make contact again until the projected follow-up date passes. Checking in more than once is usually frowned upon, and if the process stalls, it's better to pursue other jobs.

Follow-up emails can't save bad interviews. But if you're a promising candidate, it could get you bumped to the finalist pile. Show employers why you're the right person for the job, and they shouldn't forget you.