6 Easy Steps on How to Write a Thank You Email That Will Make You Stand Out After an Interview

A woman writign a thank you letter with a computer in front of her a lamp on and smiling

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Alright, you’ve crushed your interview, nailed every question (even that curveball about your spirit animal), and now you’re riding high. But before you settle in for a celebratory Netflix binge, there’s one more step you don’t want to skip and we will show you: How to write a thank you email. Yes, it might feel like a small task, but it’s one that packs a punch when done right.

Sending a thoughtful thank you email isn’t just about being polite (although your mom would be proud). It’s your chance to reiterate your interest, showcase your professionalism, and maybe—just maybe—remind the hiring manager why you’re the best fit for the job. So, grab your keyboard, and let’s dive into how you can craft the perfect thank you email!

1. Start With a Simple Subject Line

First things first: the email subject line. Think of it as the email’s “pick-up line.” You want to be straight to the point and keep it short, because let’s be honest, no one likes reading a novel in their inbox preview.

Here are some quick ideas:

  • “Thank you for the opportunity to interview”
  • “Great meeting you today”
  • “Follow-up after our conversation”
  • “Thank you for your time”

See what I did there? These are simple, clear, and professional. No fluff. Remember, the goal is to be seen and not buried in the hiring manager’s crowded inbox. Also keep in mind, an inbox typically only displays 30 – 50 characters, so keep it short and sweet.

Source.

2. Choose a Professional Salutation

Next up, the salutation. This part might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to get it right. Skip the casual “Hey” and stick to something a bit more polished, like “Dear” followed by the person’s name.

Here’s a quick tip: make sure you use the right name and spelling (seriously, triple-check this). The last thing you want is to send your heartfelt email to “Dear Mr. Brian” when his name is actually “Bryan.” Trust me, it happens.

3. Express Your Gratitude

Now, onto the fun part—expressing your gratitude. You want to start by thanking them for taking the time to meet with you (whether it was an in-person or phone interview). This shows that you value their time, and it sets a positive tone for the rest of your message.

For example:

  • “Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today. I really appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the role and your team.”
  • “I wanted to express my gratitude for the chance to interview for the [Job Title] position. It was a pleasure getting to know you and learning about [Company Name].”

4. Add a Personal Touch

Okay, this is where you really get to shine. A thank you email should never feel like a copy-paste job (though, let’s be honest, we’ve all been tempted). The trick here is to add a personal touch—something that shows you were paying attention and genuinely valued the conversation.

This could be a detail about something they mentioned, a shared interest, or even a joke that came up during the interview. For instance:

  • “I really enjoyed our chat about your team’s approach to agile development—especially the part about keeping team meetings under 20 minutes. I’m all about efficiency!”
  • “Thanks for the tip on that new marketing tool you mentioned. I’m definitely going to check it out—it’s always great to discover new ways to streamline work!”

By adding a personal touch, you’re not only showing that you were engaged, but you’re also reinforcing that you were a good fit for the culture. It’s all about making them feel like they’re getting a thank you email tailored specifically for them (because, well, they are).

5. Include Your Contact Information

Don’t forget to include your contact information. It might sound obvious, but this is often overlooked. You want to make it easy for the hiring manager to get back to you without having to dig through their inbox or your resume to find your details.

Here’s how you can slip it in seamlessly:

  • “If you need any additional information, please feel free to reach out at [your email address] or [your phone number].”
  • “I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon. Don’t hesitate to contact me directly at [your email address].”

6. Close the Email

Time to wrap things up! Close your email with a professional closing statement. Keep it simple and genuine—something like:

  • “Thanks again for the opportunity.”
  • “I’m excited about the possibility of joining your team.”
  • “Looking forward to connecting again soon.”

Follow this with your full name, and there you go—a perfectly crafted thank you email.

Common Elements You Don’t Want to Forget

Before I let you go, here’s a checklist to ensure you’re including the essentials in your email:

  • Your name (obviously, but you’d be surprised)
  • Your contact information
  • A professional greeting (“Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]”)
  • Body text expressing gratitude with a personal touch
  • A professional closing statement
  • Your full name (again, no room for mystery here!)

Thank You Email Examples:

Let’s look at a few quick examples to bring it all together.

Informal:

Subject Line: “Thank you for your time today!” “Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],
Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today. I really enjoyed our conversation about the [Job Title] role, and I appreciated the insights you shared about [Company Name]’s growth strategies.
Looking forward to staying in touch and learning more about the opportunity.
Best,
[Your Full Name]”

Formal:

Subject Line: “Follow-up after today’s interview”
“Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I wanted to express my sincere thanks for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position. Our discussion about [specific project or topic] was particularly enlightening, and I’m excited about the possibility of contributing to your team.
If you need any further information, feel free to reach out. I’m available via email or phone ([insert contact information]).
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]”

How Skail Can Make Thank You Emails a Breeze

Now, I get it—writing personalized thank you emails after an interview might feel a bit daunting, especially if you’ve got multiple interviews lined up. This is where Skail comes in. Skail isn’t just your average AI tool; it’s your digital clone. It learns your tone, style, and experiences, so when you need to write a thank you email, it’s like having your own mini-you typing it out.

Skail can even pull in unique data points from your interview and tie in your past experiences that align with the role—talk about a personalized touch! With Skail, writing a thank you email takes just a few minutes, instead of 10-15. Plus, you can review the draft to make sure everything feels just right before sending.

Why You Should Send a Thank You Email

Finally, let’s talk about why a thank you email is worth your time. Sending a thoughtful note shows that you’re serious about the role and the company, and it keeps you fresh in the hiring manager’s mind. It’s a small gesture that can have a big impact. And in a world where first impressions matter, why not give yourself the best shot?

So, the next time you’re tempted to skip the post-interview thank you email, remember this: it’s a small investment of time that can pay off in a big way. And if you need help crafting the perfect message, well, you know where to find us. 😉

P.S.—Don’t forget to send your email within 24 hours of the interview to keep the momentum going. You’ve got this!

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