Thank You Letter After Interview: Specific Examples

You nailed the in-person interview. You aced the behavioral questions, your qualifications shone through, and you even managed to impress the hiring manager with your witty response about that teamwork project. But the job isn’t yours just yet. The next step in landing your dream role? A well-crafted “thank you” letter.

In this article, we’ll give you templates you can personalize to send amazing thank you notes after your job interview. Then we’ll dive into practices to help you craft your own stand-out letter.

10 Post-Interview Thank You Letter Examples and Scenarios

Here are 10 examples of interview thank you notes and letters tailored to different scenarios across the hiring process:

1. Detailed Thank You Note:

This is a standard post interview thank you note that reiterates your interest and highlights key points from the interview.

Scenario: Standard interview with one hiring manager.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the [Job Title] position. I enjoyed learning more about the role and [Company Name]’s mission of [Company Mission].

Our conversation about [Specific topic discussed] further solidified my interest in the position. My experience in [Your relevant experience] aligns perfectly with the requirements you mentioned, and I am confident I can make a significant contribution to your team.

I particularly appreciated you mentioning [Something positive the interviewer mentioned]. [ Briefly elaborate on how this aligns with your skills or interests].

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I am very interested in this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

2. Informal Thank You Note (Thank You Email):

This thank you note is appropriate for a more casual company culture or a follow-up to a phone interview.

Scenario: Phone interview with a recruiter.

Example:

Subject: Thanks for the Chat – [Your Name] – [Job Title]

Hi [Recruiter Name],

Thanks for the great conversation earlier today about the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I really enjoyed learning more about the role and the team.

As we discussed, my experience in [Your relevant experience] would be a great fit for the responsibilities you mentioned. I’m particularly interested in [Something specific you learned about the role].

Let me know if there’s any additional information you need from me. I’m very interested in moving forward and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

3. Specific Thank You Letter:

This thank you note mentions something specific you discussed with each interviewer in a panel interview.

Scenario: Panel interview with multiple interviewers.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name] and the [Company Name] Team,

Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday for the [Job Title] position. I enjoyed learning more about the role and [Company Name] from each of you.

I particularly appreciated [Interviewer 1 Name]’s insights into [Specific topic discussed with Interviewer 1]. My experience in [Your relevant experience] aligns well with this, and I’m confident I can contribute in this area.

[Interviewer 2 Name]’s discussion about [Specific topic discussed with Interviewer 2] was very interesting. My skills in [Your relevant skill] would be a valuable asset for this aspect of the role.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I am very interested in this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

4. Thank You Note After Second Interview:

This thank you note reiterates your continued interest after a second interview.

Scenario: You had a second interview with additional team members.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Thank you again for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position yesterday. I enjoyed meeting with [Names of interviewers] and learning more about the role and the team.

Our conversation about [Specific topic discussed] further solidified my interest in the position. I am confident that my skills and experience in [Your relevant skills] would be a valuable asset to your team.

The opportunity to [Something specific you learned about during the second interview] only strengthened my desire to join [Company Name].

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I am very interested in this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

5. Thank You Note for Not Getting the Job (Expressing Continued Interest):

This thank you note expresses your appreciation for the interview and your continued interest in the company.

Scenario: You received a rejection email but would like to stay connected.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Thank you for informing me of your decision regarding the [Job Title] position. While I am disappointed to learn that I was not selected, I appreciate you taking the time to interview me.

The interview process at [Company Name] was very positive, and I learned a lot about the company and the role. I am particularly interested in [Something specific you learned about the company].

I am very interested in working at [Company Name] and would be grateful if you could keep me in mind for future opportunities that may align with my skills and experience.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

6. Thank You Note for a Negative Interview Experience (Maintained Professionalism):

This thank you note acknowledges a less-than-ideal interview while maintaining professionalism.

Scenario: The interview did not go as planned, but you want to leave a positive impression.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the [Job Title] position. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the role at [Company Name].

While our conversation did not delve as deeply into [Specific skill or area of expertise] as I had anticipated, I am confident that my experience in [Your relevant experience] would still be a valuable asset to your team.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I wish you the best of luck in finding the perfect candidate for the position.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

7. Thank You Note Highlighting Relevant Achievement:

This thank you note uses the interview as an opportunity to highlight a specific achievement.

Scenario: You discussed a relevant achievement during the interview and want to showcase it further.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Thank you for taking the time to interview me yesterday for the [Job Title] position. I enjoyed learning more about the challenges you mentioned regarding [Specific challenge].

As we discussed, my experience in [Your relevant experience] directly addresses this challenge. In my previous role at [Previous company], I [ Briefly describe your achievement and its impact].

I am confident that I can replicate this success at [Company Name]. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I am very interested in this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

8. Thank You Note with a Follow-Up Question:

This thank you note includes a well-placed question to demonstrate your continued interest.

Scenario: There was a specific detail you forgot to ask about during the interview.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the [Job Title] position. I enjoyed learning more about the role and the team at [Company Name].

Our conversation about [Specific topic discussed] was particularly interesting. [ Briefly elaborate on your interest in this topic]. Following up on that, I was curious to learn more about [Specific question related to the topic discussed].

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I am very interested in this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

9. Thank You Note Highlighting Soft Skills:

This thank you note emphasizes a valuable soft skill you possess.

Scenario: The interview focused heavily on technical skills, but you have strong soft skills relevant to the role.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Thank you for taking the the time to interview me yesterday for the [Job Title] position. I enjoyed learning more about the technical requirements of the role.

In addition to my technical skills in [Your technical skills], I believe my strong communication and collaboration skills would be a valuable asset to your team. As we discussed, my experience in [Previous experience where you demonstrated soft skills] demonstrates my ability to [ Briefly describe how your soft skills were used in the situation].

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I am very interested in this opportunity and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

10. Handwritten Thank You Note:

This example showcases the power of a handwritten thank you note for a high-level position.

Scenario: You are interviewing for a senior leadership role.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday to discuss the [Job Title] position. I was very impressed with [Company Name]’s commitment to [Something positive about the company].

Our conversation about [Specific topic discussed] further solidified my belief that my experience and leadership style would be a perfect fit for your team.

I have enclosed my updated resume for your reference. Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

How to Write the Perfect Thank You Letter (That Isn’t Actually Perfect, But Scores You Points)

We’re aiming for clear, concise, and seriously impressive thank you letters. Here’s the lowdown on crafting a thank you letter that’ll make hiring managers say, “Wow, this candidate is on the ball!”

• Speed is key: Think of it like striking while the iron is hot. Aim to send your thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview. This shows you’re enthusiastic and keeps you fresh in their mind.
• Personalize it: This isn’t a generic “thanks for the chat” email. Address the letter to the specific interviewer (and yes, double-check the spelling!). Reference something specific you discussed during the interview. It shows you were paying attention and genuinely interested.
• Reiterate your interest: Let the interviewer know you’re still super pumped about the opportunity. Briefly mention why you think you’d be a great fit, highlighting a relevant skill or experience.
• Proofread like a pro: Typos and grammatical errors are a big turn-off. Read through your letter carefully before hitting send. You want to showcase your professionalism, not look like you wrote it in a rush (even if you kind of did).
• Keep it short and sweet: Hiring managers are busy people. Aim for a concise letter, ideally under a page. Get your point across, express your thanks, and sign off.
• Email or handwritten? Generally, email is the faster and more common option. But, for a high-level position, a handwritten thank you note can really stand out.

Bonus Tip: If there’s something specific you forgot to ask during the interview, use your thank you note as an opportunity to slip in a well-placed question. This shows you’re engaged and eager to learn more.

Beyond the Basics:

• Thank You Note Timing: Discuss the ideal timeframe for sending a thank you letter (within 24 hours is best). Briefly mention how to handle situations where there are multiple interviewers.
• Thank You Note Delivery Method: Cover both email and handwritten thank you notes. Discuss the pros and cons of each (email is faster, a handwritten note shows more effort).
• Following Up: Briefly mention how to follow up after sending the thank you note, especially if you haven’t heard back within a reasonable timeframe (usually a week).

Things to Avoid in Your Thank You Letter (So It Doesn’t Turn Into a Thank You, But No Thanks)

You aced the interview, your thank you letter is practically writing itself, right? Hold on a sec, there are a few pitfalls to avoid turning your follow up note from “charming” to “cringe.”

• Don’t confuse it with a cover letter: This isn’t the time to rehash your resume. Briefly highlight your qualifications, but focus on thanking the interviewer and expressing your continued interest.
• Don’t make it a follow-up email in disguise: The purpose of a thank you letter is gratitude, not nagging. Wait a reasonable amount of time before following up after sending your thank you note.
• Avoid weirdness in a video interview thank you: If you had a video interview, the same principles apply. Keep the tone professional, skip the wacky virtual backgrounds, and dress appropriately (yes, even from the waist up!).
• Subject line slip-ups: Make sure your subject line is clear and professional. Avoid things like “Just wanted to say thanks!” or worse, leaving it blank. A simple “Thank You – [Your Name] – [Job Title]” is perfect.
• Oversharing personal details: We’re going for professional here, not a tell-all. Save the details about your pet llama for another time.

By keeping these things in mind, you can ensure your thank you letter stays on the right side of professionalism and highlights your strengths as a candidate.

Job Interview Thank You Letter: Wrap-up

Nailed the interview but want to seal the deal? A well-crafted thank you letter shows you’re enthusiastic and keeps you top-of-mind for your particular job. Remember, it’s not about writing a novel.

Keep it concise, personalize it with details from the interview, and proofread like a pro (triple-check for typos!).

With these tips and avoiding common errors, you can write a thank you letter that lets your own voice shine and positions you perfectly for your dream job.

FAQ: Thank You Letters After Interviews

Q: How soon should I send a thank you email after an interview?

A: Aim to send your thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview. This shows enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in the interviewer’s mind.

Q: How do you say thank you after an interview?

A: Write a personalized thank you letter (or email) that addresses the interviewer by name, mentions something specific from the interview, reiterates your interest, and proofreads carefully.

Q: How do you write a professional thank you letter?

A: Keep it concise (ideally under a page), professional in tone, and free of typos. Highlight your qualifications briefly, but focus on thanking the interviewer and expressing your continued interest.

Q: Is it good to say thank you after an interview?

A: Absolutely! A well-written thank you letter is a great way to show your professionalism, enthusiasm, and leave a positive lasting impression.