Writing a Memorable Post-Interview Thank You Note

You’ve just wrapped up a great interview – now it’s time to send a thank you note that demonstrates your enthusiasm and leaves an impact on the hiring team. This last follow-up is so much more than a thank you note—it’s an opportunity to drive home your qualifications and show that you’re the best candidate for the job. Some of us lament over what to say, afraid of sounding too desperate or not interested enough. Either way, this short note will be considered in your overall interview process.

Time is of the essence.

Send out the note as soon as possible after the interview. Whether you met in person or virtually, your thank you note should be emailed by the end of the workday. Things happen, and you might get caught up. If so, try to send it out by 9 AM the day after. To ensure you don’t forget, create a reminder in Gmail or set a notification on your phone. Consider sending your note from your computer, you will catch formatting mistakes and grammatical errors, not to mention you avoid the risk of leaving the “Sent from my iPhone” tag at the bottom of your message!

Send Details.

Get in contact with the HR team that facilitated the interview. Make sure you have the correct spelling of names and titles. Attention to detail goes a long way. If you’re unsure of who is who, the HR team will know everyone you’ve spoken to throughout the process. In some cases, not having the interviewer’s email could mean that they don’t want to be contacted. Share your note with the HR contact, they will offer insights and feedback directly to the hiring managers.

Simple Format, it’s not a novel.

A thank you note is a glimpse into your professional communication style. Your interview might have felt like friends catching up, but avoid being conversational, and keep it professional. Convey interest and show that you were actively engaged in the conversation. Touch on the key points, like expectations of the role, team dynamics, or acknowledge any overarching themes. Keeping your message brief, around 250 words, will show respect for the interviewer’s time.

Post-Interview Thank You Note Outline

1. Start with a greeting
2. Express appreciation
3. Bring up something you learned
4. Remind them of something you discussed
5. Tell them something that didn’t come up
6. Leave the line of communication open

Example Follow-up Note

Hi [Interviewer Name(s)],

Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about the [title] position and the team dynamics at [company name]. I’m excited to learn more about the [strategy or project name] you’re working on. Developing [your aligned strategy or project] at my last company was one of the most interesting projects I’ve done. I leveraged [company name] community resources to create new and unique user experiences. Your team seems like a great fit for my skills and interests, and long-term career goals. Please reach out if you need anything else from me. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Best,

[Your Name]

[Linkedin Profile]