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After the interview

Thank you email after an interview

The interview is over and you're replaying every answer in your head. Send a short thank-you email the same day: their name, one thing they said, one thing you did that fits it, and that you want the next step. Five templates below, ready to copy.

Get the templates Follow-up emails if they don't reply

Updated

A thank-you email after an interview: a subject line, a greeting, one line about the conversation, and a send button To: hiring manager Subject: Thank you for today One thing they said, tied to one thing you did Send today

When to send a thank-you email after an interview

The same day, while they still remember you, and within 24 hours at the latest. Email is fine; a handwritten note can follow, but it can arrive after the decision is made. Then wait for the date they gave you before you follow up.

When to send: the thank-you email the same day, a first follow-up 5 to 7 business days later, a last one about a week after that Interview Day 0 Thank-you email Same day, within 24 hours First follow-up Day 5 to 7, or their date Last follow-up Day 10 to 14
Count business days. If they said “you'll hear by Friday,” follow up the next business day after Friday instead.

What to say in a thank-you email

Three to five sentences. The one line that makes it yours is the one about what they said: it proves you listened, and it's the line a template can't write for you.

Put in: their name, one thing they said, one thing you did that fits it, that you want the next step. Leave out: your resume again, apologies, pay questions, anything over 150 words PUT IN LEAVE OUT ✓ Their name, spelled right ✓ One thing they said ✓ One thing you did that fits it ✓ That you want the next step × Your whole resume again × Apologies for an answer × Questions about pay × Anything over 150 words
If an answer went badly, one sentence that adds what you'd meant to say is fine. Don't apologize for it.

Interview thank-you email templates

One for each kind of interview. Copy one as plain text, then replace everything in [brackets]. Send a separate email to each person you met.

  1. Template 1

    After a recruiter phone screen

    Short. The recruiter talks to many people a day; remind them who you are and that you want the next step.

    Subject: Thank you for today's call about the [Role] role

Hi [Recruiter's name],

Thank you for the call today. It was helpful to hear how the team is growing and what the [Role] role needs in the first few months.

I'm interested in moving forward. If it helps for the next step, I'm free [two or three times this week].

Thanks again,
[Your name]
[Phone number]

  2. Template 2

    After the hiring manager interview

    Mention one thing they said about the work, and connect it to one thing you've done.

    Subject: Thank you, and a thought on [topic you discussed]

Hi [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today about the [Role] role.

I keep thinking about what you said about [a problem or goal they mentioned]. At [Company or past job], I [one sentence on something you did that relates, with a result if you have one], and I'd like to do the same here.

I'm excited about the role and look forward to hearing about next steps.

Best,
[Your name]

  3. Template 3

    After a panel interview

    Send each person a separate email, and change the middle line for each one so the notes don't read as copies.

    Subject: Thank you for today's interview

Hi [Panelist's name],

Thank you for being part of my interview for the [Role] position today.

I appreciated your question about [the topic this person asked about]. [One sentence you'd add to your answer, or why the topic interests you.]

It was good to meet the team, and I'm excited about the chance to work with you.

Best regards,
[Your name]

  4. Template 4

    After the final round

    Say plainly that you want the job. At this stage that sentence matters more than another summary of your experience.

    Subject: Thank you, and I'd love to join the team

Hi [Name],

Thank you for today, and for the time you and the team have spent with me over the last few weeks.

After meeting everyone, I'm even more sure I want this job. [One sentence on what you'd work on first, based on what you heard.]

If there's anything else you need from me, such as references, I can send it today.

Thank you,
[Your name]

  5. Template 5

    After a virtual or video interview

    The same note as in person. If the call had a technical problem, one light line is enough; don't apologize twice.

    Subject: Thank you for the video interview today

Hi [Name],

Thank you for meeting with me over video today about the [Role] role. [Optional: Thanks for your patience when my connection dropped for a minute.]

I enjoyed hearing about [one thing from the conversation], and it made me more interested in the role.

I look forward to hearing about next steps.

Best,
[Your name]

Follow-up email after an interview with no reply

No reply yet doesn't have to mean no. Two short follow-ups are enough. Write to the person who scheduled you, or to the recruiter if you had one.

  1. Follow-up 1

    No reply yet: the first follow-up

    A business day after the date they said they'd decide by. If they gave no date, about 5 to 7 business days after the interview.

    Subject: Following up on the [Role] interview

Hi [Name],

I hope your week is going well. I'm following up on my interview on [day] for the [Role] role. I'm still very interested, and I wanted to ask if there's any update on the timeline.

Thank you,
[Your name]

  2. Follow-up 2

    Still nothing: the last follow-up

    About a week after the first follow-up. After this one, stop writing and keep applying elsewhere.

    Subject: Checking in on the [Role] position

Hi [Name],

I'm checking in once more on the [Role] position. I understand these decisions take time. If the role has been filled or the timing has changed, I'd still be glad to hear, and I'd welcome being considered for future openings.

Thanks again for your time,
[Your name]

Thank-you note questions

Do I need to send a thank-you email after a phone screen?

Yes, a short one. Thank the recruiter, say you want to move forward, and offer times for the next step. Template 1 is that email.

Should I email each interviewer separately?

Yes. Write one email per person and change the line about what they asked or said, since they may compare notes.

What if I don't have their email address?

Send one thank-you to the recruiter or the person who scheduled you, name the people you met, and ask them to pass it on. Next time, ask for contact details at the end of the interview.

Is it too late to send a thank-you email after two days?

A late thank-you is still better than none. Send it with no excuse for the delay, and keep it short.

Email or handwritten thank-you note?

Email first, the same day, because decisions can move fast. A handwritten card can follow if it suits the company, but don't send it instead of the email.

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Practice the next round

What the second interview asks · Questions to ask the interviewer

Next: step 7 of 7, Offer and pay How to negotiate salary → What to say on the offer call, a counteroffer email, and what to ask for when base pay won't move.

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