How to Email a Follow-Up Letter After an Interview

Sometimes an email can help you land that job.

Getting your resume read and landing an interview puts you in the position of making the next move. While sending a thank-you note for an interview is standard, you may wonder whether an emailed thank-you is proper etiquette. The answer is that yes, a thank-you email is proper etiquette in certain circumstances. For instance, if your contact with the interviewer was largely through email, if your contact has expressed a preference for email or if the job decision will be made quickly, sending an email thank-you is fine, according to Career Services at Virginia Tech.

Instructions

1. Be prompt with your thank-you email. The employer might have seen dozens of applicants that day, and she might make her decision quickly. Sending a thank-you the same day or the next day can ensure that your interview is fresh on her mind.

2. Address the person who interviewed you with his full title. Always include Ms., Mrs., Mr. or Dr. These titles demonstrate your respect for him even if you ended up addressing him by his first name during the interview.

3. Dispense with the traditional letter format of addresses and date at the top. A thank-you email can be a little more informal.

4. Be specific about when your interview took place and what the position is that you want. Tell the interviewer clearly why the interview made a difference in your opinion of the company.

5. Send a second email follow-up letter a week later if you still have not heard back about the position. Being kind and polite may help your efforts. Also, something small may be holding up the human resources department, which might want to hear that you are still interested.

Tips & Warnings

• Be concise in what you are saying. The interviewer does not want to read paragraphs that are unrelated to your job search with his company.

• Don't be too pushy in your letter. You want the human resources department to know you want the job, but you don't want to sound demanding.

References

• Best Job Interview: Interview Thank You Letters
• Career Services at Virginia Tech: Interview Follow Up / Thank You Letters

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish