How to E-mail a Thank You Letter After an Interview

Send an e-mail to potential employers to thank them after an interview.

After a job interview, it's important to distinguish yourself among the field of applicants. It's possible that your interviewer will see several candidates who are equally qualified or experienced, so you want to ensure the employer remembers you and your high interest in the position. The best way to do this is to send a thank you letter to your interviewer. In most cases, e-mail will be sufficient. Sending a thank you note can enhance the impression you gave during the interview.

Things You'll Need

• E-mail program
• Employer's e-mail address

Instructions

1. Open a word processor or text editor on your computer. It's a good idea to write the e-mail in a separate program beforing entering it into your e-mail, in case you lose it or inadvertently send it before it's finished.

2. Begin the letter by addressing your interviewer (i.e., "Dear Mr. Jones"). Make sure the letter is addressed to a specific person.

3. Write your note. Keep it short and concise; one to two paragraphs will suffice. Thank the interviewer for his or her time. Add other pertinent information. For instance, reiterate your interest in the position and how your time there left you feeling you would really fit in at the company. You also may want to elaborate on information you discussed in the interview and mention something you may have neglected to mention.

4. Edit the letter for a personal and natural touch. The letter should express your sincerity, professionalism and gratitude.

5. End the note by conveying your appreciation for the interviewer's consideration and that you hope to hear from the company regarding the decision.

6. Conclude the note with a complimentary closing ("Sincerely") and sign your name.

7. Spell-check the letter to make sure you avoid any mistakes.

8. Open your e-mail account. Copy and paste the finished letter into the "Message" field.

9. Copy and paste the interviewer's e-mail address in the "To" field. Check over the letter one last time and click "Send."

10. Send an individual letter to each person you spoke to during the interview. It's most important to communicate with the people directly involved in the hiring for the position.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prompt. Send your letter 24 hours after the interview and no later than 48 hours afterward.

• If you need some help writing a letter, see the references and resources for some samples. Whatever you do, make your letter your own, in your own voice.

References

• AbleBits: Sample Thank You Letters/Emails
• Job Interview & Career Guide: Thank You Letter/Email After Interview

Resources

• Thank You Note Samples: Interview Thank Yous