Sending a follow-up email shows your continued interest in the position and helps you stand out from other candidates. A well-crafted follow-up email can reinforce your qualifications, address any points you forgot to mention during the interview, and demonstrate your professionalism.
Good Examples of Follow-Up Emails
Follow-up emails after a job interview play an important role in showing your continued interest in the position. These emails help you stay in the hiring manager’s mind and demonstrate your professionalism.
You can use these templates to craft your own follow-up messages. Each template focuses on different aspects that might resonate with employers.
Template 1: Simple Thank You
Subject: Thank You for the [Position] Interview
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I wanted to express my appreciation for the opportunity to interview for the [Position] role yesterday. Our conversation about [specific topic discussed] was particularly enlightening.
I remain very interested in joining [Company Name] and contributing to [specific project or company goal mentioned].
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Template 2: Adding Forgotten Information
Subject: Additional Information – [Your Name] – [Position] Interview
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for meeting with me yesterday regarding the [Position] role.
I realized I didn’t mention my experience with [relevant skill/project]. At [Previous Company], I [specific accomplishment related to the skill that benefits them].
I look forward to potentially working together.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Template 3: Following Up After No Response
Subject: Following Up – [Position] Interview
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I’m checking in regarding the [Position] role we discussed on [interview date].
I’m still excited about the possibility of bringing my [key skill] expertise to your team, especially for the [specific project or challenge mentioned].
Could you share any updates on the hiring timeline?
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Template 4: After Meeting Multiple People
Subject: Thank You – [Position] Interview
Dear [Primary Interviewer’s Name],
I greatly appreciated meeting with you and your team yesterday. The conversation with [Team Member Name] about [specific topic] was particularly valuable.
Your company culture of [something positive you observed] aligns perfectly with my work style.
Please extend my thanks to everyone involved.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Template 5: Value Proposition Reminder
Subject: Thank You and Additional Thoughts – [Position] Interview
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for discussing the [Position] role with me yesterday.
After reflecting on our conversation about [company challenge mentioned], I thought about how my experience with [relevant skill/project] could help. At [Previous Company], I [specific relevant accomplishment with metrics if possible].
I’m excited about the possibility of achieving similar results for your team.
Regards,
[Your Name]
Crafting Your Follow-Up Email
Subject Line and Salutation
The subject line serves as the first impression of your follow-up email. It should be clear and specific, helping the recipient immediately recognize your message among dozens of others.
For subject lines, you might want to try:
- “Thank You for the [Position] Interview on [Date]”
- “Following Up on Our Conversation for [Position]”
- “Grateful for the Opportunity to Discuss [Position]”
- “Thank You, [Interviewer’s Name] – [Position] Interview”
- “Appreciation for the [Position] Interview Yesterday”
- “Thank You for Your Time and Insights on [Position]”
- “Following Up: [Position] Discussion”
- “Appreciative Follow-Up – [Position] Interview”
- “Thank You for Sharing About [Company]”
- “Post-Interview Thanks – [Position] Candidate”
For salutations, you could begin with “Dear [Interviewer’s Name],” for formal settings or “Hello [Interviewer’s Name],” for more casual environments.
Expressing Thankfulness
The opening paragraph should express genuine gratitude for the interviewer’s time and consideration. This sets a positive tone and demonstrates your professionalism.
You can include phrases like:
- “Thank you for taking the time to discuss the [position] role with me yesterday.”
- “I truly appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the team and position.”
- “It was a pleasure speaking with you about the exciting work happening at [Company].”
- “I wanted to express my sincere thanks for the interview and your insights about the role.”
- “I’m grateful for the chance to meet you and discuss how my background aligns with your needs.”
- “Thank you for the informative conversation about [Company] and its mission.”
- “I appreciate your thoughtful questions and the detailed overview of the position.”
- “Many thanks for sharing your perspective on the challenges facing your department.”
- “I’m thankful for the opportunity to meet the team and tour your facilities.”
- “I wanted to express my appreciation for your consideration and the wonderful conversation.”
Highlighting Your Qualifications
This section reinforces why you’re the right candidate for the position. Connect specific interview topics to your skills and experience.
You might consider including:
- “Our discussion about [specific project] reminded me of my experience with [related accomplishment].”
- “After learning more about your needs in [area], I’m confident my background in [skill] would be valuable.”
- “The team challenges you mentioned align perfectly with my experience in [relevant experience].”
- “Your emphasis on [quality] resonates with me, as demonstrated by my work in [example].”
- “The project you described reminds me of [similar situation] where I successfully [achievement].”
- “My experience developing [skill] would directly contribute to your goals for [department].”
- “Having faced similar challenges at [previous company], I’ve developed strategies that could benefit your team.”
- “The collaborative environment you described plays to my strengths in [teamwork example].”
- “My background in [relevant field] has prepared me well for the challenges of this position.”
- “The technical requirements you outlined match my expertise in [specific technical skill].”
Reaffirming Your Interest
This part shows your continued enthusiasm for the position and organization. It helps employers know you remain engaged in the process.
Effective interest statements include:
- “Our conversation has strengthened my enthusiasm for joining your team.”
- “I’m excited about the possibility of contributing to [specific company initiative].”
- “The company culture you described is exactly the environment where I thrive.”
- “I’m particularly drawn to the opportunity to work on [specific aspect of the job].”
- “Your description of the role confirmed my interest in bringing my skills to your team.”
- “I’m excited about the growth opportunities and challenges this position offers.”
- “The company’s commitment to [value] strongly aligns with my professional values.”
- “After learning more about the role, I’m even more enthusiastic about the position.”
- “I can clearly see myself contributing to your team’s success in [specific way].”
- “Your mission to [company goal] resonates deeply with my career aspirations.”
Concluding Your Email
End your email professionally with a clear next step and appropriate closing. This final impression should be confident but not presumptuous.
Strong conclusions might include:
- “I look forward to hearing about the next steps in the process.”
- “Please let me know if you need any additional information from me.”
- “I’m happy to provide any further details that might help with your decision.”
- “I appreciate your consideration and am eager to continue our conversation.”
- “Thank you again for this opportunity, and I hope to hear from you soon.”
- “I’m available to answer any additional questions you might have.”
- “I remain very interested in this position and am excited about the possibility of joining your team.”
- “Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to your response.”
- “I appreciate your time and consideration throughout this process.”
- “I’m enthusiastic about the potential to contribute to your team and welcome the opportunity to speak further.”
Strategic Timing for Sending Follow-Up Emails
Timing matters when sending a follow-up email after a job interview.
- Most hiring managers expect to receive these messages within 24-48 hours after the interview concludes.
- Sending your email too quickly might appear desperate. Waiting too long could signal a lack of interest. The sweet spot typically falls on the next business day.
- For morning interviews, candidates might consider sending their follow-up email the same evening or the following morning. This shows enthusiasm without seeming overly eager.
- After afternoon interviews, waiting until the next morning often works well. This gives interviewers time to complete their day before receiving your message.
Some key timing guidelines include:
- 24 hours after the interview is generally ideal
- Send during business hours (9am-5pm)
- Avoid weekends or holidays
- Consider the interviewer’s schedule if mentioned during your meeting
If the hiring manager mentioned a specific timeline for decision-making, candidates can adjust accordingly. For example, if they plan to decide within two weeks, a follow-up after one week serves as a gentle reminder.
Following Up Beyond the Email
Networking Through LinkedIn
LinkedIn offers valuable opportunities to maintain connections with interviewers and hiring managers. Job seekers can send personalized connection requests that reference their interview conversation.
“Thank you for discussing the marketing coordinator role yesterday. I’d love to stay connected here on LinkedIn.”
Job candidates might also follow company pages to stay informed about recent developments they can mention in future communications.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many job seekers make errors in their follow-up emails that can hurt their chances. Being aware of these mistakes can help you avoid them.
Waiting too long to send your thank-you email can make you seem uninterested. Try to send your follow-up within 24 hours after the interview while the conversation is still fresh.
Spelling and grammar errors can leave a negative impression. You can proofread carefully or ask someone else to review your email before sending it.
Some common formatting errors include:
- Using overly casual language: “Hey there! Thanks for the chat yesterday.”
- Writing extremely long paragraphs that are difficult to scan
- Including irrelevant personal information: “I’ve been so stressed waiting to hear back from you.”
Being too pushy about next steps in the job application process can turn employers off. Instead of writing “I need to know your decision by Friday,” you could say “I’m looking forward to hearing about next steps when you’re ready.”