Sending a thank-you email after a phone interview is your chance to reinforce a positive impression. Think of it as a strategic step in your job search process: it’s an opportunity to remind the interviewer of your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Expressing Gratitude for the Interview Opportunity
When you’re crafting a thank-you email after a phone interview, starting with a genuine expression of gratitude sets a positive tone. You’ll want to convey your appreciation for the interviewer’s time and the opportunity to learn more about the company and the position.
- Start with a Personal Greeting: Use the interviewer’s name to make your email feel personal and direct. For example, “Hi [Interviewer’s Name],”
- Mention the Interview: Acknowledge the specific interview. “I really enjoyed our conversation today,” is a simple way to reference the event.
- Express Thanks: Directly state your gratitude. A line like, “I’m writing to express my sincere thanks for the opportunity to discuss the [Job Title] role with you,” keeps the focus on your appreciation.
- Highlight a Personal Connection or Moment: If there was a particular moment during the interview that stood out to you, briefly mention it to create a personal link. For example, “I especially appreciated discussing how [Company Name] integrates innovation in its projects – it’s something I’m very passionate about.”
- Reiterate Interest: After your thanks, it’s a nice touch to restate your interest in the role. “The insights you shared about the team and company culture only increased my excitement about the opportunity to contribute.”
- Polite Sign-off: A friendly, polite sign-off maintains the professional warmth. “Thank you once again for your time and consideration,” followed by a simple “Best regards,” or “Warmly,” and your name keeps it cordial.
Tips: Highlighting Interview Talking Points
When you’re crafting your thank-you email after the phone interview, you can pinpoint specific topics you discussed (optional). Not only does this show that you were attentive, but it also reinforces your interest in the position and the company.
- You can refer to projects or responsibilities you talked about that sparked your enthusiasm. For example, if you and the interviewer discussed a particular project that you would be working on, mention how excited you are about the prospect of contributing to it.
- It’s also beneficial to address any challenges or concerns that came up during the conversation. If a certain question or topic seemed to generate a lot of discussion, bring it up again briefly. You could say something like, “I’ve been thinking more about your question regarding X and…”
- You can use the email as an opportunity to reiterate your strengths or add any relevant information you may have forgotten to mention. If there’s a particular experience or skill you discussed that aligns well with the job, remind them of this fit. For instance, if they’re looking for someone with experience in social media marketing and you have that experience, you might say, “My previous role in social media marketing at Y has equipped me with…”
Tips: Reiterating Your Interest in the Position
- You can mention specific aspects of the job or company that appeal to you. For example, “I was particularly excited to hear about your upcoming project on renewable energy and believe my experience in environmental science would make a significant contribution.”
- You can reflect on a point from the conversation that resonated with you. This might read something like, “Our discussion about the team’s approach to collaboration reinforced my desire to join your innovative group.”
- You can tie in your skills with the job requirements. A line like, “I am confident that my background in sales and my passion for customer service align perfectly with the goals of your sales team,” helps make a clear connection.
- Ending your email with a forward-looking statement, such as “I am looking forward to the possibility of discussing our mutual interests further,” leaves the conversation open and underscores your interest in the position.
Concluding with a Professional Sign-Off
When wrapping up your thank you email, the sign-off is your final opportunity to leave a positive impression. It’s important to choose words that are warm yet professional. Here are some options that strike the right balance:
- Best regards,
- Kind regards,
- Sincerely,
- With appreciation,
Remember to include your full name below your sign-off for clarity. It’s also a good practice to add your phone number, which makes it easy for the interviewer to contact you without having to search for it.
Here’s an example to guide you:
Sincerely,
Jamie Smith
555-123-4567
Ensure the sign-off aligns with the overall tone of your email. If the conversation was more casual, “Warm regards,” or “All the best,” might be suitable choices. Conversely, if the interview was formal, opting for “Sincerely,” or “Respectfully,” would be more appropriate. Personalize your sign-off to reflect the nature of your interaction and the company culture.
Timing Your Thank-You Email Perfectly
When sending a thank-you email after a phone interview, your timing can significantly impact the impression you leave. Ideally, you want to hit that sweet spot where your message is timely enough to show eagerness but not so immediate that it seems insincere.
- Right After the Interview: While it might be tempting to send a thank-you note immediately following the interview, take a moment to collect your thoughts. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least an hour. This allows you to reflect on the conversation and craft a thoughtful message.
- End of Business Day: If your interview is in the morning, aim to send your thank-you email by the end of the business day. This shows that you’ve had the interview on your mind all day and are still enthusiastic about the opportunity.
- Within 24 Hours: No matter the time of your interview, you should send your thank-you email within 24 hours. This timeframe demonstrates promptness and keeps you fresh in the interviewer’s mind.
- If Interviewing on a Friday: Consider the timing of weekends. If your interview is late in the week, sending a thank-you note on a Friday can get buried under weekend emails. In this case, sending it early Monday morning can help ensure it’s at the top of their inbox.
Sample Thank-You Email After a Phone Interview
Subject: Thank You – [Your Name] Interview
Opening Line: It’s important to start with a personal touch. For instance, “Hi [Interviewer’s Name],” immediately addresses the interviewer by name, creating a connection.
First Paragraph: Begin by expressing your gratitude. Say something like, “I wanted to extend my sincerest thanks for the opportunity to speak with you today.” Mention a specific topic you enjoyed discussing, which shows attentiveness, such as “Our conversation about [specific project or challenge] was particularly exciting for me.”
Second Paragraph: Reinforce your interest in the position. You could say, “The more I learn about [Company Name] and the [Position Title], the more I am convinced that my skills in [Skill/Area] would be a perfect match for your team.”
Closing: Finish on a polite and optimistic note. Try “I look forward to the possibility of joining your team and contributing to [something discussed].”
Close off with “Best regards,” followed by your full name and contact information.
Example 1
Hi [Interviewer’s Name],
I wanted to extend my sincerest thanks for the opportunity to speak with you today. The details you shared about the team’s approach to [specific project or challenge] were enlightening and align closely with my professional expertise and objectives.
I’m particularly excited about the chance to bring my skills in [Skill/Area] to [Company Name], and after our conversation, I’m convinced that I could contribute effectively to your team and its upcoming challenges, especially [highlight of the discussion].
I look forward to potentially being a part of such a forward-thinking and dynamic group. Thank you again for considering me for this exciting opportunity.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Example 2
Subject: Thank You for the Opportunity – [Your Name]
Dear [Interviewer’s Name],
Thank you for talking with me today about the [Job Title] job at [Company Name]. I enjoyed hearing about the company’s work and future plans.
I am excited about the chance to work on [specific project or aspect of the job] because I think my skills in [a skill or experience relevant to the job] are a good match for your team’s goals. I share your company’s commitment to [a specific goal or value of the company], and I’m looking forward to using my abilities in [specific skill] and [another skill or experience] to support [Company Name]’s mission.
If you need more information or if there’s anything else I should do, please let me know. I am very interested in joining your team and ready to help.
Thanks again for considering me for the job. I hope we can talk more about working together.
Best wishes,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in a brief thank you email following a phone interview?
Your thank you email should be concise and include a thank you statement, a mention of your enthusiasm for the role, a brief highlight of how your skills align with the job, and a sentence inviting further discussion. For example, “Thank you for the informative conversation today. I’m very excited about the opportunity to bring my experience in customer service to the team at XYZ Company.”
How can I craft a unique thank you email that stands out after an interview?
To create a memorable thank you email, personalize your message by referring to a specific topic discussed during the interview. Mentioning a shared interest or a particular point of the conversation shows that you were engaged and are genuinely interested. For instance, “I particularly enjoyed discussing how (…) Company values innovative customer solutions, which is a passion of mine.”
What are appropriate subject lines for a thank you email post-phone interview?
Subject lines should be clear and professional. Use lines like “Thank You – [Your Name] Interview”, or “Great speaking with you, [Interviewer’s Name]”. These relay your message effectively without being overly complicated.
What is the professional way to express gratitude in a thank you email after an interview?
Express your gratitude by thanking the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to learn more about the position. For example, “I sincerely appreciate the time you took today to discuss the marketing coordinator role with me.”
How do you write an effective follow-up email after a phone interview?
In your follow-up email, reiterate your interest in the position, mention something you learned about the company that increased your interest, and highlight a key aspect of your qualifications. For example, you might say, “After learning more about your team’s approach to project management, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my organizational and leadership skills.”
Is it advisable to send a thank you email after a more casual or informal phone interview?
Yes, regardless of the tone of the interview, it’s always a good practice to send a thank you email. It’s an opportunity to be polite, reaffirm interest, and maintain a connection with the employer.