Thank You Email After Interview: What to Say (With Examples)

Wondering if you should send a thank-you email after an interview? The answer is a strong yes. Whether you call it a thank-you note, thank-you letter, or follow-up email, it’s a crucial step that can reinforce your interest and leave a professional final impression. In this guide, you’ll learn when and how to send a thank you email, what to include, and get plug-and-play examples for different situations.

Gil, Interviews Expert at JobTestPrep
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Why Send a Thank You Email After Interview

Reinforces Your Interest and Professionalism

Sending a thank you email shows that you’re serious about the opportunity. It reinforces your enthusiasm for the role and reminds the interviewer of your professionalism.

Keeps You Top-of-Mind With Hiring Managers

Hiring managers meet many candidates. A well-written thank you note can help you stand out and leave a lasting, positive impression.

Gives You a Final Chance to Clarify or Connect

You can use your thank you letter to reference a part of the conversation or clarify a point that didn’t come across clearly in the interview.


When to Send Your Thank You Email

Aim to send your thank you email within 24 hours of the interview. Sending it the same day (especially if your interview was in the morning) is ideal.

For multi-day or multi-stage interviews, it’s fine to wait until the full process ends—but still send it within one day of your last contact.

If you forget? Send it late anyway. A polite follow-up is always better than none.


How to Write a Thank You Email After Interview

Use a Clear Subject Line

Make it easy to spot. Try:

  • Thank you – [Your Name]
  • Great speaking with you today
  • Appreciation for the interview opportunity

Personalize Your Greeting and Message

Address the interviewer by name. Mention something you discussed, whether it was a shared interest or a specific topic about the role.

Reaffirm Your Enthusiasm for the Role

Make it clear that the interview confirmed your interest and excitement.

Reference Something Specific

Briefly call back to a conversation point, project, or value they mentioned.

Keep It Concise and Professional

Your email should be around 4–6 sentences. Thank them, highlight a point, and express interest in next steps.

Close With Appreciation and Confidence

Use a professional sign-off like “Best regards” or “Sincerely,” followed by your full name and contact info.


Thank You Email vs. Thank You Letter vs. Thank You Note

Thank You Email

Fast, professional, and expected. This is the go-to format for most modern job interviews.

Thank You Letter

A formal, handwritten or typed letter. Better suited for traditional industries (e.g., law, academia) or very senior positions.

Thank You Note

A brief, often more casual message. Great for second or third interview rounds, team members, or quick follow-ups.


3 Thank You Email Samples (Copy & Paste Templates)

Standard Thank You Email After Interview

Subject Line: Thank you – [Your Name]

Body: Dear [Interviewer's Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I enjoyed learning more about your team and the exciting direction of your projects.

Our conversation only deepened my interest in the role and how I could contribute. I particularly appreciated our discussion about [specific topic or project].

Please let me know if there’s anything further I can provide. I look forward to next steps.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your LinkedIn or Email]

Thank You Email After a Panel Interview

Subject Line: Thank you for the opportunity

Body: Dear [Team/Panel Name or Lead Interviewer],

Thank you all for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] role. I appreciated the chance to hear from different team members and gain insights into your collaboration style and shared goals.

The discussion confirmed my excitement about joining [Company Name], and I believe my background in [relevant experience] aligns well with your vision.

Thanks again for your time and thoughtful questions.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Thank You Email After a Final or Second-Round Interview

Subject Line: Following up after our conversation

Body: Hi [Interviewer's Name],

It was great speaking with you again and learning more about the [Job Title] position. I appreciate the deeper dive into how the role supports [goal, department, or company initiative].

This second conversation reinforced my strong interest in the position and in contributing to [Company Name]'s mission. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Warm regards,

[Your Name]


Mistakes to Avoid in Your Thank You Note

  • Waiting too long to send (misses the window)
  • Being too vague (generic messages feel impersonal)
  • Using poor formatting or typos (hurts professionalism)
  • Being overly casual or too pushy

Final Thoughts: Why Thank You Emails Matter

A short thank you note after interview can make a long-term impression. It shows professionalism, maturity, and communication skills—all traits employers value. Whether you're writing a formal thank you letter or a quick follow-up email, keep it sincere, clear, and timely.


Thank You Email FAQs

Yes. Always send a thank you note after any interview, whether it’s a phone screen, panel, or final round. It reinforces your interest and leaves a positive impression.


Send it late anyway. A polite follow-up is better than none, and it still shows initiative and professionalism.


You can start from the same template, but personalize it for each person. Mention something specific from your conversation with them to show attention to detail.