Writing a Thank You Email After a Job Interview

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

Think interview "thank you" emails don’t matter? Let me tell you why they're so important... Last week, I interviewed seven candidates for an executive role. Only ONE followed up with an email. And guess what? That person was also our most qualified candidate. But their "thank you" email sealed my vote. Here’s why: 1️⃣ It showed professionalism. They thanked me for my time and highlighted how much they valued our conversation. That’s not just polite, it’s essentially required. 2️⃣ It was personal. They mentioned (and expanded upon) something specific that we discussed during the interview. Shows they're an active listener with attention to detail. 3️⃣ It reinforced their interest. They didn’t just say they wanted this job; they explained why they were excited about joining our team. Genuine enthusiasm stands out. 4️⃣ It demonstrated confidence. They closed with, “I am confident I can bring value and would love another opportunity.” Bold, yet classy. During our exec meeting, we discussed all candidates. When asked who impressed me most, I said, “Only one sent me an email.” That email wasn’t just words—it was strategy. Here’s my advice: → Send that "thank you" email within hours. → Keep your tone professional but warm. → Resurface a specific part of the interview. → Reiterate your excitement and unique value. It’s not about being overly formal or writing an essay. It’s about leaving one last impression. Small actions like this can make a BIG difference. What’s your take? Would you send that email? #interviewtips #jobsearch #opentowork

After reviewing hundreds of post-interview emails, I spotted a pattern: The most successful candidates never sent just a 'thank you' note. They sent strategic follow-ups that got them hired. Let's analyze why most follow-up emails fail: - 'Thank you for your time' → Generic opener that blends into the inbox - 'I enjoyed our conversation' → Vague sentiment that fails to demonstrate engagement - 'I look forward to hearing from you' → Passive closing that surrenders momentum But the candidates who consistently landed offers? They turned this touchpoint into a strategic advantage: - Referenced specific discussion points ('Regarding our conversation about scaling the marketing team...') - Added value naturally ('Found this relevant article about the automation challenge we discussed...') - Connected their experience to the company's needs ('Your point about needing SQL expertise reminded me of when I...')" The difference between a courtesy email and a strategic follow-up isn't length - it's intention. Every interaction is a chance to reinforce your value. What's one small change that made a big difference in your interview process? P.S. DM me 'Career Closer' to learn more about my group program, where I teach my complete system for turning interview touchpoints into offer letters.