The interview is over, you have left the room or closed the call, and now you wait. But there is one more small step that many candidates skip: a short thank-you email. It takes ten minutes, it is polite, and when two finalists are close, a thoughtful follow-up can help you stay top of mind.
Why a thank-you email matters
- It shows professionalism and genuine interest in the role.
- It reminds the interviewer of your strongest points.
- It gives you a chance to add something you forgot to mention or clarify an answer.
- It keeps a positive line of communication open for the next steps.
When to send it
Send it within 24 hours of the interview, ideally the same day. If you met several people, send each one a short individual email rather than one group message, and vary the wording slightly.
What to include
- A clear subject line, for example "Thank you – Marketing Coordinator interview".
- Thanks for their time, using the interviewer's name.
- A specific detail from the conversation that shows you were listening.
- A brief reminder of your fit, one or two sentences linking your skills to what they need.
- Enthusiasm for the next step and a polite close.
Keep it to about 100 to 200 words. This is a thank-you note, not a second cover letter.
Template 1: Standard thank-you
Subject: Thank you – [Job Title] interview
Dear [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today to discuss the [Job Title] role. I enjoyed learning more about [specific topic you discussed, e.g. the plans to expand the customer support team into new markets].
Our conversation confirmed my interest in the position. I'm confident that my experience in [relevant skill or achievement] would help the team [goal mentioned in the interview].
Please let me know if you need any further information from me. I look forward to hearing about the next steps.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone number]
Template 2: Adding something you forgot
Dear [Name],
Thank you again for speaking with me about the [Job Title] role. I appreciated hearing about [specific detail].
After our conversation I realised I didn't mention that I [relevant experience or certification, e.g. completed a course in Google Analytics last year and used it to track campaign results in my current job]. I thought it might be useful given your focus on [their priority].
I remain very interested in the role and look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Template 3: Short note after a phone screen
Hi [Name],
Thanks for the call today about the [Job Title] role. It was great to learn more about the team and the next stages of the process. I'm excited about the opportunity and look forward to the next conversation.
Best,
[Your Name]
Following up if you hear nothing
If the employer gave you a decision date and it has passed, wait two or three working days, then send a short, polite check-in:
"Hi [Name], I hope you're well. I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [Job Title] role on [date]. I'm still very interested in the position and would be grateful for any update on the timeline. Thank you."
One follow-up is enough. If you still hear nothing after another week or two, it is usually best to focus your energy on other applications.
Mistakes to avoid
- Sending the same copy-pasted email to everyone you met.
- Spelling the interviewer's name or the company name wrong.
- Writing a long essay or re-arguing your whole application.
- Sounding desperate or pushy ("I really need this job").
- Following up every day.
A brief, specific and professional thank-you note costs you almost nothing, and it is one of the easiest ways to finish an interview process on a high note.
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