Thank You Email After an Interview (Best Samples + Template)

Are you wondering if you need to send a thank you email after an interview? The answer is always yes. Sending an interview thank you email can significantly increase your chances of standing out as a candidate. It shows strong communication skills, thoughtfulness, and demonstrated interest in the position you’re applying for. 

The hiring process is tedious and hiring managers might easily meet with dozens of candidates just to fill one position. As a hiring manager, if you were torn between two equally qualified candidates in your job search, a thank you note after an interview that thoughtfully demonstrates these traits can be a big push in your favor and it’s a courteous way to let a hiring manager know you value their time.  

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How to write a thank you email after an interview

This blog will cover the key components of a thank you email after an interview, provide a sample interview thank you email, and review frequently asked questions.

Key components you should include in your thank you email:

  • Simple subject line
  • Personalized greeting
  • Thanking the interviewer
  • Reiterating interest in the job and what you bring to the table
  • Highlighting portions of the interview unique to you
  • Express availability for continuing the hiring process

 

Start with a simple subject line

Before the interviewer even reads your email, the first thing they’ll see in their inbox is your subject line. Given the number of emails we all receive daily, you want to make sure your subject line is clear and direct.

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Here are some examples:

Thank you – [job title] interview

Thank you – [job title]

Thank you – [job title] consideration

Use a personalized and professional greeting

Depending on the organization, what their company culture is like, and how the interview went, you may choose to greet with a formal salutation or greet them by their first name. 

When to use a formal salutation:
  • A traditional organization with more formal company culture, such as an established law firm or accounting firm, might expect a formal salutation, especially if the role you are interviewing for will require formal writing skills.
  • If you are addressing a woman and you do not know whether they are married or not, you should default to ‘Ms.’
  • Additionally, if your interview is with a doctor (that includes MD or Ph.D.), make sure to greet them as such.
When to use their first name:
  • Using first names to greet in an email is becoming increasingly common, especially in younger companies or where company culture is more laid-back. 
  • You can usually get a sense of this from any email correspondence they might have previously sent you. When in doubt, default to a formal salutation.

Thank the Interviewer

Begin by thanking the interviewer for their time. You’ll want your words of appreciation to come off sincere but simply stated.

Some examples:

I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today. 

Thank you for interviewing me this morning.

Thank you for meeting with me to discuss the [job title] position. 

 

Reiterate interest in the job and company, and what you bring to the table

Sending a thank you email reinforces your interest in the role you’re applying for. After thanking the interviewer, express your excitement for learning about the role and company. Reiterate why you feel you’d be a good fit for the company based on their culture and values. 

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Example:
It was a pleasure learning more about the role and company. I love the company’s dedication to uplifting the homeless community in Los Angeles, a mission that is close to my heart as I volunteer at the homeless shelter twice a week.



Highlight portions of the interview unique to you

You should aim for your interview to be a conversation rather than a Q&A session. Remember that the point of the interview is to go beyond your qualifications and get a sense of your fit with the company culture. Demonstrate that you can get along with the team by engaging in conversation outside of the interview questions. This will also make you more likely to stand out from other candidates. 

You can recall one of these specific moments from your conversation in your thank you email. The more unique and specific, the better. Perhaps you connected over a hobby, show, the same hometown, college, etc. Follow up on this conversation to remind the interview of the connection you made.

Examples:
I also enjoyed connecting over our time volunteering with the Peace Corps, it’s been a while since I met someone that also served in Ghana.
It was such a nice surprise to meet a fellow Trojan.
It’s great to meet someone that loves plants as much as I do! 

 TIP: Express eagerness to come back

Wrap up your interview thank you email by expressing your eagerness to hear back and move forward in the hiring process. 


3 best samples of thank you emails after a job interview

Now that we’ve reviewed all the elements of a successful post-interview thank you email, let’s take a look at an example of how to put one together and follow up successfully after your interview. Here is some sample thank you emails:

Sample 1
Hi Jessica,
Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the position and the company. 
After interviewing with you, I am certain I’m qualified for this role. My experience as a Customer Service Manager at Silver Financial Solutions closely aligns with the functions of the Client Success Manager position at Cloud Nine Technologies. As discussed, I would be excited to implement more training materials and team-building exercises with fellow employees.   
In addition, I enjoyed learning about the company. I was especially intrigued by Cloud Nine Technology’s commitment to giving back. As a volunteer at my local Boys and Girls Club, I know how influential mentoring can be for at-risk children. 
Again, thank you for your time. It was so nice meeting someone that loves plants as much as I do! If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to hearing from you.
In this example, the candidate uses a casual greeting and starts by thanking the interviewer for their time. Then they restate their experience and qualification for the role using specific examples of what was discussed in the job interview. 
Sample 2
Dear Mr. Valdez,
I would like to thank you for meeting with me to discuss the Lead Analyst role at Gateway Tech. I was quite impressed by the company’s dedication to innovation and accessibility. 
As I mentioned, I believe my experience in analyzing impact and expanding reach will make me a great asset to the next phase of projects at Gateway Tech. I am particularly excited to discuss how we can implement these ideas to reach your ambitious demographic goals, which I’ve helped accomplish in my previous role.
I look forward to hearing from you soon and am happy to answer any additional questions you might have.
This thank you email uses a formal greeting and tone that is more fitting of the company culture. They reiterate their interest in the company/role and mention specific goals that were discussed in the interview. 
Sample 3
Hi Lauren,
Thanks again for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. It was a real pleasure to get to know you and the work you’ve been doing. 
After speaking with you, I am incredibly excited to be a part of your marketing team and help take your audience reach to the next level. I’m thrilled you liked my idea on social media outreach and I would love to bring that expertise into this role. 
Please do let me know if there are any next steps or additional information I can provide as you continue in your hiring process. I look forward to connecting again soon!
This example focuses on the candidate’s potential contributions to the company and recalls specific ideas that were discussed in the interview process. This emphasizes the candidate’s value and what they would bring in this role.

Thank you email after a job interview: editable template

Here’s a template you can use for your own thank you letter after an interview:

 

Subject line: Thank you – [job title] interview

Dear [interviewer],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me [when] to discuss the [job title] position. It was great to learn more about [company name] and the work you’re doing. 

As I mentioned, [highlight your experience/skills and how they’d suit the role]. 

Again, thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon and am happy to answer any additional questions as you continue your hiring process. 

Thank you,

[your name]

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When to send your thank you email after your job interview

You should always aim to send a thank you note as soon as possible following your interview. Send the thank you email after an interview within 1-2 business days of having your interview, preferably the same day if possible. It’s best to write a thank you email right after the interview since the experience is fresh on your mind and theirs.

If it’s already been a few days after the interview, go ahead and send a thank you email anyway. If it’s been a week or more, at this point, it’s best for you to follow up on your application status and include a thank you message.

FAQs

Is it OK to send a late thank note after the job interview? 

 

Yes! Sending a late thank you note is better than not sending one at all. 

What if I forgot to send a thank you after my job interview?

 

If you haven’t heard back from the interviewer, you can still follow up on your interview process and include a thank you message in your email. If you receive an email back from the interviewer, you can always respond to their message and include a short thank you. Everyone appreciates gratitude! 

Do you send thank you after the second interview?

 

Yes, you should still send a thank you email after the second interview. It doesn’t need to be as elaborate or recall the same points you brought up previously, but you should still show appreciation for the interviewer’s time.

How do you send a thank you note for an interview if you don’t have the interviewer’s email address?

 

You can still find a way to send a thank you email! 

  • Check if the person was copied on an email or perhaps included on a calendar invite before the interview.
  • Check the company’s website for bios and contact information.
  • You can call the company’s office and kindly ask their receptionist or someone else from their team. Explain that you had an interview with them and would like to thank them for their time.

As a last resort, you can probably figure out one employee’s email address based on someone else’s in the company. Most companies will use a standard format for employee emails. 

Some common examples are: 

  • firstinitiallastname@company
  • firstname.lastname@company
  • firstinitial.lastname@company

What should you do if you forgot the interviewer’s name?

 

In the event that you forgot, misheard, or don’t quite know the spelling of the interviewer’s name, don’t let this deter you from writing a personalized greeting. There are ways you can cross-reference to make sure you get the right name and still make a good impression:

  • Check if they gave you a business card (in a remote setting, sometimes business cards can be found online).
  • Check the company’s website or social media for any bios that might include the interviewer name.
  • Visit the company’s LinkedIn page and see if you recognize the interviewer as a listed employee. If it’s a larger company, it might help to filter the employees by their title.

How soon should you send a thank you email after a phone interview?

 

As soon as possible! Whether your interview is in-person, online, or over the phone, aim to send a thank you note within 1-2 days after your interview.

Popular College Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Application season requires planning and each app component needs attention. From recommendation letters to high school internships, highlight your personal and academic strengths during your college interview. Furthermore, get ready for questions like "What other schools are you applying to? Which is your first choice?" and "What does success mean to you?"

2024-09-30T14:42:19-04:00August 3, 2022|College Planning|
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It’s important to know how to prepare for college application season. During this time, many prospective students find themselves wondering: what do college admissions officers look for in an applicant? 

It’s important to approach each component of your application with tact and care. From letters of recommendation and college essays to extracurricular activities and high school internships, it’s important to highlight your personal and academic strengths in each section of your application.

Overall, there are a lot of factors to consider for your college applications. If you are applying to highly-selective colleges, now is also the time to start thinking about your college interviews, as well as popular college interview questions.

In this article, we will review how to answer college interview questions. We will also provide an overview of some of the hardest college interview questions, as well as some thoughtful college interview questions to ask about the college and its specific programs.

So if you’re interested in learning more about popular college interview questions, along with their best answers, read on! 

What to expect at a college interview

Not all colleges conduct college interviews. Highly-selective colleges, however, especially Ivy League colleges, will take college interviews into account during their decision-making process. This is why it’s important to know when college interviews take place and to be aware of how to answer tough questions. 

College interviews are either conducted with a college admissions officer on campus or with an alumnus near you. Usually, alumni interviews take place at a local library or coffee shop. Before your interview, make sure you know the name of the person who will be interviewing you. It’s also important to make sure you know exactly where the interview will be taking place beforehand. You may even want to practice driving there and finding a parking spot the day before. This will help ease some of the day-of jitters. 

In terms of what to expect during a college interview, expect to talk about yourself, your goals for the future, and your excitement about potentially attending the college you are applying to. Most interviews last between 30 minutes and an hour. You will also want to have a list of good college interview questions to ask the person interviewing you. 

Good university interview questions to ask will vary depending on your specific interests, but you may choose to ask about academic programs, specific professors, and the overall college culture. Make sure your questions are thoughtful and genuine. You do not want to ask questions you can easily research on your own online.

How to prepare for a college interview

On the day of your interview, arrive early and take a moment beforehand to calm any nervousness. College interviews can feel intimidating, but it’s important to try your best and be yourself. This is why you must be on time and feel prepared. 

During your interview, you do not want your answers to come across as being too scripted. Yes, you should be prepared for any challenging questions beforehand. And yes, ideally, you should have given yourself ample time to practice your answers. Mostly though, you

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should try your best to become comfortable with the process of talking about yourself.

This is why, ultimately, the most important question to prepare for is the: “tell me about yourself” interview question. The second most important question to prepare for will be the: “why this university” interview question. Once you’ve reflected thoughtfully on these questions and your answers, you are well on your way to having a successful college interview!

In this section, we will provide a comprehensive college interview questions list as well as college interview questions and answers examples. Review each question carefully and take a moment to reflect on your answers. Listed below are 20 popular college interview questions to help you get started. 

Hopefully, these college interview questions and answers will help you feel more prepared for your college interviews!

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why are you interested in attending this college?
  • What do you want to major in? Why?
  • What are your personal and academic strengths? 
  • What are your personal and academic weaknesses?
  • Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership abilities.
  • Tell me about a book you’ve read recently and describe how it changed the way you think.
  • Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • What does success mean to you?
  • Do you have plans and goals for after you graduate college?
  • What are your plans for the summer?
  • What do you hope your career looks like in 10 years?
  • What extracurricular activities are you interested in pursuing during college?
  • What are your thoughts about [a recent current event]?
  • Do you have a role model? Who are they and what do you admire about them?
  • What other schools are you applying to? Which is your first choice?
  • Do you have any questions for me?
  • What are your plans for the summer?
  • How would you contribute to the college and life on campus?
  • If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
  • Tell me about an accomplishment you are really proud of.

College interview question #1:

“Tell me about yourself.”

Why they ask this question:

This is the most important question to prepare for. Even if you aren’t asked this question specifically, you will likely be able to use your answer to respond to other questions. College admissions officers and alumni want to get to know who you are as a person and what you are passionate about. 

This open-ended question allows you to display your sense of passion and creativity while directing the conversation. Start by sharing interesting and unique details about yourself. Try to be memorable and stand out!

Sample answer:

“I am a passionate musician who plays four instruments: piano, guitar, banjo, and mandolin. I started playing the piano when I was four and began writing my own songs at age 12. I really admire lyricists such as Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. I love the story-telling aspects of folk and blues music and hope to take lots of music, creative writing, and public speaking courses while I attend college so that I can grow into a capable and confident performer.”

College interview question #2:

“What do you want to major in and why?”

Why they ask this question:

Colleges want to admit motivated and passionate students. That said, not all incoming college freshmen will know what they want to study. That’s okay! If that’s the case, talk about a few majors you are currently considering. The person interviewing you might even have some good advice and insight for you. 

Sample answer:

“I’m not sure what I want to major in yet. I have a lot of interests and I’m not sure how to narrow them down. Hopefully, after taking a few courses and talking to my professors and advisor I will be able to make a thoughtful, well-informed decision. Right now, I am interested in potentially majoring in Political Science or Secondary Education. Mostly, I am really interested in social justice and making a difference. Of course, there are lots of ways to make a difference…As a skilled public speaker, a career in politics seems appealing. That said, I am also passionate about teaching and believe in addressing social issues through education.” 

College interview question #3:

“What other schools are you applying to? Which is your first choice?”

Why they ask this question:

Not all interviewers will ask this question. That said, it is an important question to prepare for. Demonstrated interest is often an admissions factor at highly-selective colleges. 

College admissions officers want to gauge how serious you are about attending and whether or not you are applying to any rival schools. They want to know how much of a priority they are before they decide how much of a priority you are. 

Sample answer:

“I applied to five other schools: Amherst, Bowdoin, Colby, Hamilton, and Colgate. Obviously, these are all top-notch schools and I would be excited to attend any of them. There are specific details about each school I am interested in, but as a student who is applying for financial aid, my first choice will partly be determined by the cost of tuition.” 

Questions to ask during your college interview

After reviewing and practicing university interview questions and answers, you’ll want to start brainstorming for college interview questions to ask the person interviewing you. You want to ask thoughtful, genuine, and specific questions. 

You do not want to ask questions you can easily research on your own. Demonstrate your overall passion and interest in the school by having a thoughtful list of college interview questions to ask prepared and ready to go. 

Some questions you might ask include:

  • What did you study and how do you think the school prepared you for your career?
  • Do you have any advice for me as an incoming freshman?
  • I am passionate about writing and teaching. Do undergraduate students work at the writing center? What can you tell me about working at the university’s writing center? 
  • I am a prospective business major. What companies does the university partner with for student internships?
  • As a prospective Political Science major, what can you tell me about the professors in the department?
  • Based on my academic interests and passions, are there any resources on campus you think I should be aware of? Are there any professors you think I could benefit from connecting with early during my college career?

Steps to take after your college interview

Preparing for and completing a college interview is a lot of work. You’ve likely studied up on answers to university interview questions and have read lots of examples of college interview questions with the best answers. Your work, however, isn’t over yet!

Always write a thank-you note to the person who conducted your interview. This shows that you are a serious, thoughtful, and committed student. Many students send thank-you emails but handwritten notes also make a good touch.

Express your gratitude and thank them for their time and effort. Personalize the note by including a few specific details. Not only will they appreciate receiving the thank-you note, but it will also help them remember the interview more clearly afterward.

Key takeaways and moving forward

College interviews can help further personalize and distinguish your college application. Highly-selective colleges, especially Ivy League colleges, receive an abundance of well-qualified applicants, so it’s important to take every opportunity to stand out and make a lasting impression. If you feel like you could benefit from professional, one-on-one guidance about your college interviews, or any other aspect of your college applications, reach out to learn more about our services.