Timing for Sending a Thank You Email Post-Interview

Post-Interview Spiral? Read This. You walked out of the interview… And now your brain is like: 🌀 “Did I talk too much?” 🌀 “Should I follow up?” 🌀 “They said they’d get back to me — is it too soon?” 🌀 “What if they ghost me?” Let me stop you right there. Post-interview anxiety is real. But spiraling won’t get you the job. Strategy might. Here’s what to do instead: ✅ Within 24 hours: Send a real thank-you note. - Not the robotic “Thanks for your time.” - Mention something specific from your convo. - Remind them why you're excited. Leave them with a lasting impression. ✅ Haven’t heard back in 5–7 business days? Follow up. - Not to beg. Not to chase. - Just to check in like the thoughtful, professional human you are. Try something like: “Hi [Name], hope you’re doing well. I’ve been reflecting on our conversation and wanted to check in. I’m still excited about the opportunity and happy to share anything else the team might need. Any updates on next steps?” Clean. Calm. Confident. That’s the energy. ✅ And if they ghost you? That’s not failure. That’s data. It says more about them than it does about you. You didn’t miss out on a job. They missed out on someone who actually gave a damn. You did your part. Now protect your peace, prep for what’s next, and keep moving forward! The next company will be LUCKY to have someone like you on their team. — Follow me, Erica Rivera, CPCC, CPRW, for real-world career strategy, job search sanity, and bold advice that gets you hired—without the burnout.

We recently interviewed a candidate who truly stood out following their final interview. After meeting with a panel of four interviewers, they took the time to send personalized thank you notes to each panel member. In every note, the candidate referenced a specific question or insight shared during the interview - it was a 5 star demonstration of attention to detail. Thank you note or not, she would have received an offer, so the level of thoughtfulness was the cherry on top for an incredibly qualified candidate. It wasn’t just about ticking boxes—it showed engagement, professionalism, and the kind of soft skills we look for in a great hire. When it comes to thank you notes, here's a rundown of best practices: Do: - Send your thank-you note within 24 hours. - If you had a panel interview, personalize each message—mention something unique from each conversation. - If you have the hiring manager’s (HM) email, feel free to send the note directly. If you don't, email the recruiter to ask AND include your note to forward in the case they can't provide it. - Use the thank you note as an opportunity to reinforce an area in which you felt wasn't your strongest, or to answer a question you may have not been able to nail in the moment. Don't: - Send a copy-paste thank you note [the two line, generic message that's sent about 90 seconds after an interview doesn't hold a whole lot of weight]. Recruiters and hiring managers, what qualities make a thank you note stand out to you? #recruitmentrevealed

The “thank you email” is poorly named. It’s not about perfunctory gratitude for a job interview. But it can 100% help you stand out in the market today. And since I can’t come up with a better name (“follow up email” .. blah), here are some tips for candidates when writing thank you emails to stand out and improve opportunities: ➤ Send within 24 hours, but not 2 minutes after an interview.  This gives you time to reflect and write something tailored. Truthfully, there’s optics here, too. You want to convey to the interviewers that you’re able to take time to process - and that you have the organization skills to remember to send. ➤ Don’t neglect the recruiter / screener. A great thank you email can help move them from indecision on your candidacy to a submission. In fact, I'd recommend sending an email to every single person who interviews you. ➤ Share an authentic insight (briefly) from the call. Simple framwork 1. WHAT you learned, and 2. WHY it was impactful. ➤ If next steps were discussed, share a recap. This shows initiative and organization skills, and can also help you keep the hiring team on top of their process. ➤Don’t expect a response, but consider using a reply or follow up on this email if needed for clarity on your candidacy (some might disagree with me here). What are some other tips you’d offer for thank you emails? #interviewing