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How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview

  • Christopher Littlefield

should i send thank you email after phd interview

Advice on what to say — and what not to — along with sample email templates.

You’ve updated your resume, written your cover letter, and prepared for your interview. Now it’s time for your thank you note to seal the deal. In this piece, the author outlines what to say — and not to say — in your thank you email to interviewers and answers common questions like: How much detail should you include? When should you send it? And why is it important to do? He also includes three sample emails to use as a guide.

You’ve just finished an interview for a job opportunity you’re really excited about. You know you should send a thank you note to your interviewers, but you’re not sure what to write. How much detail should you include? Should you send an email to every person you interviewed with? And what’s really the best way to follow up ?

should i send thank you email after phd interview

  • Christopher Littlefield is an International/TEDx speaker specializing in employee appreciation and the founder of  Beyond Thank You . He has trained thousands of leaders across six continents to create cultures where people feel valued every day. He is the author of 75+ Team Building Activities for Remote Teams—Simple Ways to Build Trust, Strengthen Communication, and Laugh Together from Afar . You can follow his work through his weekly mailing  The Nudge .

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How to Write the Perfect Interview Thank You (with Examples!)

should i send thank you email after phd interview

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa graduated from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

Learn about our editorial policies

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

should i send thank you email after phd interview

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

should i send thank you email after phd interview

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

How to Write the Perfect Interview Thank You (with Examples!)

Had an interview that went well? That’s great, but you’re not quite done yet. Following an interview, it’s of utmost importance to send a thank-you email or letter to those who interviewed you. These not only show that you truly want the position, but also indicate that you’re organized and diligent. Both are qualities that employers look for in new hires. To learn how to write that perfect interview thank-you, keep on reading!

Related: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

Why should you write a thank-you letter after an interview?

Not only are thank-you letters a show of an applicant’s interest in the position, good manners, and organization, but some employers even expect them. Ultimately, they are another chance to influence your employer’s decision before they actually make one, and they typically work in your favor. 

Advice from a hiring manager

Will geiger.

Co-founder and CEO

Scholarships360

should i send thank you email after phd interview

In fact, approximately 68% of U.S. hiring professionals found thank-you emails to take on a greater importance when evaluating a candidate. Considering that most candidates tend to not send them out after interviews, sending a thank you will make you stand out from the crowd!

Although handwritten letters are certainly more personal, they take much longer to write and send out than emails. Thus, by the time your letter finally reaches your interviewers, they may have already decided on a hiring candidate.  So, even if you’re planning on sending a handwritten letter, we highly recommend also sending a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. This will reach your interviewers far quicker, and they will likely still appreciate the gesture.

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How to write an interview thank-you letter.

Writing the perfect post-interview thank-you letter (or email) is all about knowing the steps (or, generally, what to include in it). What are these steps, and what should be included in the email?

Take a look at our outlined steps below to find out how to write the best possible interview thank-you letter and secure your new position.

1. Write a clear subject line

The first thing that employers (or anyone) see before opening an email is the sender and, more importantly, the subject line. Thus, it’s best to choose a subject line that clearly conveys your message. If you want to go with something a little more formal, consider something like:

  • “Thank you for your time”
  • “Thanks for the interview yesterday” (or today, depending on when it was)
  • “I enjoyed learning more about [ Company name ]”

Alternatively, if you want to go with something a little more casual, feel free to choose one of these options:

  • “Thank you, [ Interviewer’s Name ]!” 
  • “Great meeting you [ yesterday/today ]!”
  • “Thank you!”

And that’s it for the subject line! What’s next?

2. Start with a greeting

Once you’ve gotten your subject line down, it’s time to get into the actual content of the email. Wondering about the best way to do that? Start off with a personal greeting!

There are a few common ways of doing this, including “ Hello [Interviewer Name] ” or “ Dear [Interviewer Name] .” When greeting your interviewers, remember to address them with the name they provided to you, which is typically either their first name or title.

If you were interviewed by more than one person, it’s best to send thank-you notes to each of them (each with their own, unique personal greetings).

3. Show that you’re appreciative

After your greeting, it’s always best to start with an expression of gratitude. Thank your interviewer(s) for taking the time to meet with you, and for considering you for the position. Remember to be genuine and include the specific job title, as employers or hiring managers may be assessing applicants for multiple positions at once.

And, if you have anything else you want to thank your interviewer(s) for, you can do that here too.

4. Re-emphasize your interest in the position

While it’s important for your employer to know that you’re qualified and ready for the position, they also want candidates who are eager and enthusiastic about joining the company. So, when writing your thank-you email (or letter), be sure to re-emphasize your interest in the position.

Alternatively, if the interview helped you realize that you’re actually not as interested in the position as you thought you would be, make sure to state that in your email instead! This will help employers narrow down candidates, and your honesty will certainly be appreciated.

5. Mention something specific you discussed in the interview

Thank-you emails are written for many reasons. Most of all, though, they are written to stand out from other applicants. So, how can you make sure your email does just that?

Well, one way is by personalizing your thank-you email. This can, and ideally should, extend beyond the greeting. To make your email as individualized as possible, mention something specific that was discussed in the interview. This may be something that was particularly interesting to you about the position or the company itself, but be sure to explain why it stood out to you. If possible, elaborate on how your skills and experiences can help the employer reach company goals (especially if they’re relevant to what you just mentioned!).

6. Let them know that they can contact you for further information

Close off your thank-you letter by prompting your interviewer(s) to take the next step and let them know that they can contact you for further information (or a reference, another interview, etc.). Something along these lines will do the trick:

“ Please feel free to contact me should you need any additional information that could assist with the decision-making process. ”

7. Sign-off, professionally

Finish off your thank-you email by once again thanking your interviewers. Then, sign off with a “Sincerely,” (or “Best,” “Warmly,” “Thank you for your time,” etc.) followed by your full name. 

Be sure to list your basic contact details (i.e. email address and phone number) below your name, to make it easier for the hiring team to contact you if any further information is needed. 

And with that, you’re done! Let’s take a look at what such emails should look like when each step is completed.

Related: 15 scholarship interview questions (and how you should answer them)

Sample thank-you email examples

Thank-you emails typically come in one of three forms: short and sweet, formal, and informal. Whichever you decide to do is up to you, but choose wisely! To help you figure out which type may be best for your circumstances, take a look at our examples down below.

Remember: Do NOT simply copy and paste these into your email! The more individualized your thank-you email is, the better. In addition, you don’t want your potential employer to think that you are prone to plagiarism. Without further ado, let’s get into the examples!

1. Short and sweet thank-you email

Subject Line: Thank you [Interviewer’s Name]! Hello [Interviewer’s Name], Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me to discuss the [position name] position today. It was a pleasure to learn more about the position and about working with the consulting team. Our discussion made me even more excited to join [Company name]. I was particularly interested in [something you discussed during the interview]. Considering this, I think that my [relevant skills and experiences] would make me an excellent candidate for this role. I look forward to discussing this position with you more in the future. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information. Thanks again for your time! Best, [Your name] [Your email address] [Your phone number]

2. A more formal thank-you email

Subject Line: Thank you for meeting with me Dear Mr./Ms. [Interviewer’s Last Name], I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for taking the time to meet with me to discuss the [position name] position with [Company name] earlier today. It was incredibly meaningful to have such a conversation with someone who took the same path as I did and who holds the same business beliefs that [mention something specific you discussed]. Our conversation convinced me that this position would be a perfect fit for me, considering my [relevant skills and experiences]. The [mention something you discussed] that was mentioned is very similar to work I excelled at my previous company. Thus, I deeply believe that I could make a valuable contribution in this position, if given the opportunity.  I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you more. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need any further information. Thank you, [Your name] [Your email address] [Your phone number]

3. An informal thank-you email

Subject Line: Thank you for the opportunity! Hi [Interviewer’s Name], I really enjoyed talking with you yesterday and learning more about the [position name] position at [Company name]. Our conversation about the [position name] was inspiring and made me even more excited to join the team and help [increase profits/attract new customers/anything else you’d be doing]. The [mention something discussed in the interview] you mentioned was very similar to work I did at my previous role. Thus, I think this position would be a perfect fit for me, considering my [relevant skills and experience]. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need any further information. Thanks so much again! Best, [Your name] [Your email address] [Your phone number]

Additional resources

We offer plenty of resources for students who seek advice on how to get internships and also how to turn an internship into a job after you have one. Read our step-by-step networking guide so that you make the most of your college connections. Maybe you recently earned your degree and need some tips on how to find a job after graduation ? We can help with that as well! Thinking of going to grad school for a master’s degree? Weigh out the pros and cons first, and if you do attend, make sure that you apply for all the graduate scholarships you qualify for! We wish you the best of luck on your journey! 

Frequently asked questions about writing an interview thank you 

When should you send a thank-you email after an interview, what happens if you do not send a thank you email after an interview, how late is too late to send a thank you email after an interview, scholarships360 recommended, trending now.

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should i send thank you email after phd interview

How to Write a Thank You Email After an Academic Interview

should i send thank you email after phd interview

It is considered good practice to send a thank you email after an academic interview given that it takes a lot of effort to conduct one. You can also use this opportunity to express your interest in the role and effectively pitch your profile.

In this blog post, we will look at how to draft a thank you email after an academic interview with the help of some best practices, hacks and a ready to use template that you can just copy paste. So let us get started.

Tips to Remember

  • Timing is very important when sending a thank you email, especially so when it is after an academic interview. So send out that email 18-36 hours after the interview.
  • Personalize the email to indicate to the recipient that this is not a mass email but rather a well thought out one. Include specifics around the questions and the responses by that particular interviewer.
  • Express gratitude to the interviewer for taking the time and effort to not just host the interview but also the ways the questions in that interview have helped you refine your understanding of the subject.
  • Subtly highlight your qualifications that make you an ideal fit for the role. Do not make it sound like an over the top pitch. It is understood that you are interested in the job, but the goal here is for them to imagine you succeeding in it.
  • Show alignment of your skills, qualification and experience with the goals the institute or the department. Most teams hire to push harder & faster towards a goal and showing alignment improves your chances of getting hired.

Best Practices

  • Draft a professional subject line that is simple and straightforward enough to indicate to the recipients on what you are trying to convey in the email.
  • Share context around why you are writing that email and this context can be anything from the questions that you appreciated the most, parts of the interview you enjoyed and the alignment of your profile to the overall goal.
  • Ensure that you share multiple communication channels so that you can reached on at least one of them if others were not very feasible or accessible for whatever reason.
  • Proofread the body of the email thoroughly before hitting the “Send” button, the last thing you need when interviewing for a position is give an impression that you are hasty.

Sample Thank You Email Template After an Academic Interview

Subject Line: Thank you for your time Hello [Recipient’s Name],

Hope you are doing well. I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to interview with you and the incredible  experience during it.

The interview was rich with great questions from you and your fellow panelists. I especially appreciate interviews on the [ Name of the Topic]. Since the interview, I have explored a bit more about [Topic Name] and it was a great refresher.

Questions around [Topic Name] also helped me address a few blind spots that I had and this is a great opportunity for me to plug those gaps and become a better [Profession or Subject Matter Expertise].

I am super excited to hear from you guys and I feel [Explain Your Experience and Alignment with the Group’s Goal].

If you have any updates or advice for me, please feel free to reply back to this email, alternatively you can also reach out to me on my [Your Mobile Number] or on my [Hyper-linked LinkedIn Profile].

Once again, thanks for the opportunity and the fruitful interview experience. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards, [Your Name] [Your Designation/Role]

Writing a thank you email after attending an academic interview is a great idea for making a good impression with potential employers. By following the tips, best practices and most importantly the sample template shared, you are now well equipped to communicate in this scenario.

If you found this post useful, consider following me on LinkedIn. I share productivity and workplace optimization ideas in short, easy to consume posts. Thanks for reading.

Shiva is a subject matter expert in communication, marketing, productivity, and learning systems. He has previously contributed to many blogs and newsletters, including Validated, Mental Models, HackerNoon, and several brands. You can find Shiva on  LinkedIn  or email him at shiva(at)routine.co.

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Sending a Thank You Note after an Academic Interview

Sending a Thank You Note after an Academic Interview

Have you considered sending a thank you note after an academic interview? If you sent one, did you feel awkward, hopeful or optimistic once you have written it?

The idea of sending a thank you note after an interview is nothing new. Many of us, however, consider it solely a gesture to win the interviewer’s favour. According to Peter Steyger, Professor of Otolaryngology at Oregon Health & Science University:

“Sending a thank you note is a good courtesy to have. In practice… it does not and should not sway the interviewer. However, it helps to reinforce an interviewer’s initial opinion of the applicant. It can also help to refresh the interviewer’s memory whilst alleviating any worries that they may have about fitting into the department.”

Professor Steyer affirmed that thank you notes can be useful. They can ease doubts about the applicant. They can be a polite gesture. And they can affirm the interviewer’s opinion of the candidate.

Who to send it to?

Before you find yourself in front of an academic interview panel, you should already know who your interviewers are. This will help you to prepare your answers by tailoring them to their individual areas of interest. Knowing who is on the panel will help you to prepare your thank you note prior to the interview. Be sure to send a personalised note to each interviewer and do include the HR representative (if they are present at the interview).

How to send it?

Ideally you should send off your thank you notes on the day of the interview. Some candidates prefer to email their notes after the initial sessions and others like to send a handwritten note after the final interview. Consider the type of organisation you are applying to. Is it a well-established and formal organisation or is it a young, entrepreneurial and informal organisation? The more formal the organisation, the more you could be expected to send thank you notes after the interview(s).

What content to include?

Keep it clear, concise and bespoke. Aim for less than a page. Show appreciation of the interviewers’ time and paraphrase the discussion. You could reiterate your existing and proposed research to refresh their memory. You could relate your research to their specialties to show the mutual benefit for both applicant and interviewer or the department. If you are applying for a teaching position, reiterate your skills and experience, and include any relevant achievements.

Professor Steyger reminded me to be sincere and genuine. With the right approach, thank you notes can be received in the best possible light.

For more interview tips see:

  • Video Interviews – How to Prepare
  • Succeeding in Academic Interviews
  • Top Ten Tips for Preparing for Academic Interviews
  • Top 5 Academic Interview Answers

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Henrietta Nagy is a seasoned portfolio worker with over 10 years’ experience in the UK education sector. Henrietta writes educational content, designs academic courses, delivers university lectures, mentors entrepreneurs, and provides career development coaching. One of Henrietta's recent organisational clients is the Oxford University where she has facilitated over 100 hours of learning events. With 9 years of higher education studies internationally (including an MBA), she has worked with CEOs, academics, scholars, managers, women entrepreneurs, academic administrators and other consultants.

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Sep 7, 2022

How to write a thank you email after interview with 25 examples

Don't forget to send a 'thank you' email after your interview. Use one of our 25 sample thank you emails after interview to do it professionally.

Blog writer

Lawrie Jones

Table of contents

The interview's done, and it's time to sit back and relax? Wrong. It's professional and polite to send a short thank you email to your recruiter. If done correctly, it can improve your personal brand and even increase your chances of getting the job or that coveted final interview.

We know that many job seekers struggle with how to say thank you after an interview, so we've created this in-depth article that answers all your questions. You'll learn when to send a thank you email after an interview, what to include (and exclude) and how to shape your response to different circumstances.

In our guide on how to send a thank you email after an interview, we include 25 examples that you can use to shape your emails.

We also introduce you to Flowrite , your personal assistant that can write your emails for you. Check it out in action:

Should I send a thank you email after an interview?

Let's start by answering one of the most common questions job seekers ask: should I send thank you email after the interview? 

The answer is 100% yes, and here's why. 

Competition for jobs is fierce, and even securing an interview is a tough task. For example, UK statistics show an average of more than  500 applications for low-skilled roles , 250 for medium-skilled vacancies, and 56 for high-skilled vacancies.

Think it gets easier when you've got an interview? It doesn't. The average company will interview between 6-10 applicants for each role. Before making an offer, they'll see each candidate 2 or 3 times to identify the person who best suits the role.

In such a competitive market, you must take every opportunity you can to make the best impression. A well-written and engaging post-interview email is a professional courtesy to improve your personal brand. 

It demonstrates to the recruiter that you're passionate and proactive. It shows that you're motivated for the opportunity and inspired to act.

A post-interview email also allows you to clarify details, provide additional information that you promised during the meeting, and even the chance to clear up any misunderstandings that may have occurred.

Even if the recruiter chooses not to take your application forward, a post-interview email will keep you at the forefront of their minds for future opportunities.

It's not a case of whether you should write thank you email after an interview, but when. So, let's answer that question.

When to send thank you email after the interview?

Many jobseekers struggle with how soon to send a thank you email after an interview. Of course, access to smartphones means we can probably bash out a basic thank you in seconds, but that's not the right approach.

The accepted timeframe for sending a thank you email after the interview is 24 hours after the interview. This gives you enough time to reflect on the discussion and provide a considered response.

Why? "Taking the time to craft an informed answer, rather than a rushed one, is always going to benefit you in the long term," says  entrepreneur A.M. Reid . Conversely, a thoughtless email reply is a "disaster in the making," he says, which can lead to anxiety and stress. 

Giving yourself time to reflect is crucial at crafting a professional post-interview email that elicits a positive response.

Email format for thank you email after interview

There are no actual rules on how to format a thank you email after an interview. Still, we suggest you approach it as you would when writing any other professional email. You must start with a  formal email opening ,  introduce yourself professionally , and find words that  strike the right tone  and resonate with the recipient. While you may have made a personal connection with your interviewer(s), you must remain formal. 

The ideal interview thank you email format includes: 

  • Targeted subject line
  • Appropriate personal greeting
  • Appropriate sign-off

Let's look at each of these in greater detail.

1. Thank you email after interview subject line 

The thank-you email after the interview subject line is the first thing your recipient will see pop up in their inbox, so keep it simple.

Remember that you're applying for a job (or professional position or role), so keep your post interview thank you email subject professional even if you know the person you're emailing. The ideal interview thank you email subject line is short, sweet, and to the point.  

Here are a few thank you email interview subject lines you could use: 

  • Thank you for the interview
  • Thanks for meeting with me
  • Great to meet today

Context is critical when deciding on an appropriate thank you for the interview email subject link. If you know the person, you can be a little less formal in the after interview thank you email subject. Check out our examples below to see how we've found the balance between personality and professionalism.

2. What to say in thank you email after interview  

You must include some standard things, but there is flexibility in what to say in the post-interview thank you email. It all depends on context. 

Here's what you must include in every post-interview thank you.

  • Thank the interviewer for their time
  • Explain why you're a good fit for the role
  • Express enthusiasm about the future
  • Offer to provide more information and answer any questions
  • End the email politely and ask about future steps

Depending on the interview, your personal relationship, and professional context, here are a few things you could include in your email after an interview.

  • Provide examples of works, links to previous organizations, etc.
  • Answer any questions raised in the interview
  • Links to social profiles, including LinkedIn
  • Clarify any information and clear up any misunderstandings
  • Add additional examples you have forgotten to mention in the interview

Ultimately, the decision on what to say in thank you email after the interview depends on the role, the recruiter, the situation, and the context. It can be nerve-wracking putting pen to paper (or finger to key), but our advice on how to thank someone for an interview is to keep things simple. Don't spend too much time worrying about how to write a thank-you note after an interview. Instead, follow our outline above, and you'll be writing crisp and clear correspondence straight away.

Sample thank you email after interview

We've outlined the fundamental parts of how to write a thank you after an interview; now, let's put it into practice. Here are 25 thank you emails after interview samples you can adapt and use. You shouldn't copy and paste them but use these samples to craft your own thank you letter after an interview. Ready to get started?

1. Thank you email after Zoom interview

A direct result of the pandemic is the increase in Zoom interviews. Zoom interviews can be challenging, but they're super-flexible and often fun too. So here's a standard thank you email after Zoom interview:  

2. Thank you email after a video interview

Microsoft Teams, Skype, Google Meet are popular video interview platforms you might use, but what happens if your connection plays up? After an interview, a professional thank you email can be used to tackle any issues head-on, providing reassurance that they won't happen again. So here's how to write a thank you email after a video interview that's gone wrong.

3. Thank you email after the virtual interview

A virtual interview is a popular choice for recruiters in the pandemic. Here's how to create a thank you email after a virtual interview.

4. Thank you email after a phone interview

Phone interviews are often the first stage in the process and (if successful) lead to a further interview in person. The core parts of a good phone interview thank you email are the same, but you'll want to push slightly for an in-person meeting. After a phone interview, you may find yourself writing to the person you spoke to or crafting a thank you email to the recruiter. Regardless of the audience, the approach is the same. Here's our thank you email after phone interview example.

5. The second interview thank you email

The second interview thank you email will likely be more in-depth, detailed, and targeted. Your second interview thank you email subject line can be slightly less formal, as you'll see in this, our next example.

6. Short thank you email after an interview

If you don't have the time, or simply don't want to write a lengthy message, our quick thank you email after the interview template is for you. This short and sweet thank you letter is suitable for all situations. But, of course, you can always add greater detail if you need to.

7. Thank you email after the final interview

The thank-you email after the final interview is likely to be your last chance of making a good impression before a decision is made. You may question the wisdom of sending a thank you email after the final round interview (mainly if a decision has already been made and you haven't been told), but trust us – it's essential. It demonstrates that you're enthusiastic, motivated, and still in the market for a new role. So even if this role isn't for you, a new one could be just around the corner. Here's our final interview thank you email template.

8. Simple thank you email after interview

Our simple interview thank you email demonstrates that more words don't mean greater impact. We've stripped this one back to the basics to provide a streamlined solution. This simple thank you email after the interview is ideal for those with limited time to reply.

9. College interview thank you email

Getting into college is more competitive than ever, and a well-written and conscientious college thank you email could see you grab a space. Colleges are searching for candidates with a rich academic background and broad personal interests, so feel free to add some of yourself to your messages. Here's a captivating college interview thank you email.

10. Internal interview thank you email

In this interview thank you email example, we focus on crafting an appropriate internal interview thank you email. You may know the person who interviewed you, and you'll undoubtedly have an insight into the company. Still, you should avoid being too friendly and focus on the fundamentals of a good post-interview thank you email. Here's how

11. Residency interview thank you email

A pharmacy residency interview thank you email can make a huge difference in securing a prized position. We prioritize your passion and professionalism in this post residency interview thank you email template. We've also provided a clear residency interview thank you email subject to help you stand out for all the right reasons.

12. Teacher interview thank you email

Becoming a teacher is a dream for many of us, and you'd expect teachers to write the best thank you emails, but it's not always the case. In this post teacher interview thank you email, we provide a logical way to express enthusiasm, explain your qualifications, and push for another interview. Here's a thank you email after a teacher interview template.

13. Thank you email after an academic interview sample 

Academic interviews are a chance for you to establish your credentials, share your experience and insights. In this thank you email after an academic interview, we show how you can express appreciation and promote your professional work. Here's our academic interview thank you email template.

14. Thank you email to a recruiter after an interview

Many of us find new jobs through recruitment agencies and consultants, so we should thank them too. This interview thank you letter sample demonstrates how you can thank a recruiter. This polite and professional response will likely keep them on your side and help you find future opportunities.

15. Medical school interview thank you email

Getting into medical school is a magnificent achievement because the entrance process is so competitive. A medical school interview thank you email is a must. In our example for a thank you email after the medical school interview, we establish our interest in the school, express our enthusiasm and explain why we're a great candidate. You can edit and adapt this medical school interview thank you email template to your circumstances and college.

16. Internship interview thank you email

In the working world, an internship can accelerate your career, which is why competition for the best is too fierce. A thank you internship interview email could make the difference between success and failure, so spend time crafting a message that shows insight, commitment, and passion. To help you, we've also included an appropriate internship interview thank you email subject line that you can use.

17. Grad school interview thank you email

Getting into grad school is tough, so make it a little easier with our thank you email after grad school interview template. We've focused on your academic qualifications, passion, and potential. 

18. Thank you email after an interview for administrative assistant

As we explained above, the average administrative assistant position will attract over 500 applications, so getting an interview is an incredible achievement. Our sample thank you email after the interview for an administrative assistant will help you take the next step to a second interview and appointment. In this sample of an administrative assistant thank you email after the interview, we focus on your core skills and determination to succeed.

19. Panel interview thank you email

Writing a thank you email after a panel interview is challenging as you must address multiple people. In this thank you email after a panel interview sample, we demonstrate how to address an email to several recipients and invite a future conversation and correspondence. Check out our panel interview thank you email example.

20. Thank you email after interview with multiple interviewers

Like the email above, when writing a thank you email after an interview with multiple interviewers, you have to address each individually and collectively. Here's an example of a thank you email after an interview to multiple interviewers.

21. First-round interview thank you email 

During the first round of interviews, recruiters search for opportunities to cut down on the numbers. A timely and targeted first interview thank you email will ensure you have a great chance of securing a slot for the second round. We keep things upbeat and positive in this example of a thank you email after the first interview.

22. Law firm interview thank you email sample

Law firms are famously discerning, with limited opportunities open to outsiders. They're also sticklers for detail, so accuracy and clarity are critical. Legal eagles will find our law firm interview thank you email template simple and clear.

23. Thank you email after an informational interview

Informational interviews are designed to get to a person's heart, problem or situation. You'll dig into the details during an informational interview, but you may want to add more afterward. In this thank you email after an informational interview template, we show you how to provide the information you need.

24. Thank you email after a group interview 

Group interviews are an opportunity for you to stand out and make an impression, something our sample thank you note after an interview will help you with.

25. Engineering interview thank you email 

Our example of a  thank you email after an engineering interview tackles the technical and provides a chance for you to demonstrate your knowledge and experience. It's tempting to stick everything in an email. Still, we've prioritized focusing on what's important: getting a second interview. Check out our engineering interview thank you email template below.

Need some more post-interview email inspiration?

We hope you can use one of these sample thank you emails after your interview. We've tried to keep them professional and to the point, as that's what readers want.

The most straightforward approach is to cut, paste and personalize them for your circumstances and situation. However, we recommend that you spend some time writing a thank you note after the job interview and focus on the critical points of your conversations.

A good tip is to jot down some notes straight after your interview. Make sure to include the topics you discussed, any questions you were asked, the information you needed to supply, or questions you wanted to ask (but didn't).

This can provide the background information for your post-interview email inspiration. 

Interview thank you email template by Flowrite

The difference between writing a good and great thank you email after an interview can be as simple as Flowrite. We've provided you with some inspiration with our thank you email after interview template, but to truly create emails that inspire your readers, you need Flowrite.

Flowrite is an AI-powered writing assistant that can help anyone produce effective and error-free post-interview emails. You provide the basic information, and Flowrite transforms it into professional prose that gets results every time.

Writing the perfect interview thank you email

Writing the perfect interview thank you email isn't easy, but it's something you should always strive for.

Instead of rushing in, reflect on the discussion and review your notes before writing. Our interview thank you email templates illustrate how you can approach the task but should be used only as a starting point for you to edit, adapt and personalize to your unique needs. Over time, you'll find that creating compelling emails gets easier.

However, if you don't have the time or simply want to write effective post-interview emails without the mental drain, we suggest you take Flowrite for a spin.

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This Is The Most Effective Post-Interview Thank You Email

should i send thank you email after phd interview

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“It was a pleasure speaking with you today. Thank you for the recommendation to read The Power of Less, maybe we can trade notes when you're done with Tribes! We will be in touch about next steps soon.”

That was part of a reply I received to a post-interview thank you email I wrote to a VP of sales. Four hours after receiving that reply, I got a call from the recruiter offering me a job.

A month after I was hired, I had a one-on-one with that VP and the first question she asked me was about the books we recommended to each other.

Leading up to the thank you email, we had spent 40 minutes on the phone together talking through introductions, behavioral questions, and case studies to see if I was a good fit for the role. While that conversation factored into the decision, my answers weren't what stood out in her mind.

It was the personal touch that stuck.

As a candidate, you want to be focused on two things during the job search:

  • Building relationships with people who can influence the hiring decision
  • Standing out from all of the other candidates vying for this job

The post interview thank you email is a highly effective (and incredibly easy) tactic that covers both bases. It's also overlooked by 76% of job seekers. Talk about low hanging fruit!

After interviewing at dozens of companies with over 100 people, I've had the chance to send (and test) plenty of thank you notes. This article will walk you through the template I've found to be the most effective and helped me land jobs at leading companies like Google, Microsoft, Twitter, and more.

In this post, we'll cover:

Why A Post-Interview Thank You Email Matters

  • How To Follow Up After An Interview — The Basics Of A Great Thank You Email (With Answered FAQ)
  • How To Write A Thank You Interview Email: A Step-By-Step Guide
  • Post-Interview Thank You Email Templates & Examples

2 Common Thank You Email Mistakes To Avoid

  • The Most Effective Email Template
  • How To Follow Up If You Haven't Heard Back From Your Interview

Before we get technical, it's important to understand why writing a thank you note is important in the first place.

Most people think their interview is over when they walk out of the building. Whether they absolutely crushed it or things didn't go according to plan, it's out of their hands now, right?

Not so fast.

Hiring managers at top companies pay very close attention to how and when their candidates follow up . Most are expecting some sort of thank you and failing to send one could actually cost you the job.

The data reveals that close to 80% of hiring managers feel that thank you emails are helpful when deciding between candidates. 22% of employers are   less likely to hire a candidate who does  not  send a thank you and 91% actually  like  being thanked  (imagine that!).

Accountemps Thank Note Survey Data Graphic

In addition to playing into your potential employer's expectations, thank you emails are an easy way to stand out from the competition. Despite all of the data above, only 24% of job seekers actually take the time to send a thank you note after their interview.

Part 1: How To Follow Up After An Interview — The Basics Of A Great Thank You Email (With Answered FAQ)

Before we dive into our post-interview thank you email templates and examples, we're going to walk through the fundamentals of sending a thank you note that will boost your chances of landing the job offer.

Should I Email, Call, Or Hit Them Up On Twitter?

If you run a Google search for “interview thank you notes,” you'll get all sorts of suggested mediums for sending – email, phone calls, Twitter, text messages, and even handwritten notes.

All of these can get the job done but we want to choose the method that's going to make things fast and easy for the interviewer on the other end.

Rather than sliding into their DMs, the data shows that interviewers prefer receiving thank you notes via email (with phone calls coming in at a close second):

Graphic of Survey Results on Preferred Thank You Note Medium

When you're in the room on interview day, it's much more natural to ask for someone's email than their phone number. On top of that email allows you to spend time crafting your response and you can track them using a tool like Yesware to help gauge interest.

For those reasons, I recommend sending all of your thank you notes via email.

“But what if I forgot to ask for their email and don't have it?”

No problem! There are plenty of tools out there that make it super easy to track down someone's email address. My favorite is Mailscoop.io .

All you need is the person's full name and the link to their company's website (so if they work at Spacex, it would be www.spacex.com) and Mailscoop will spit it out in just a few seconds:

After you've got your hands on their email, you can head over to Mail Tester , or another email testing website, and plug it in to verify that it exists on the company's email server. If it does, you're good to go!

If all else fails, you can always email your recruiter and ask them for the person's contact info. Sure, it's best to get it upfront but you're better off swallowing your pride to send your thank you email than sending nothing at all.

When Is The Best Time To Send A Follow Up Email After An Interview?

This is a question I get a lot.

When it comes to following up with hiring managers, posting articles on social media, or sending breaking news to a contact, timing is everything and there is a science behind it.

When it comes to thank you notes, the golden rule is simple:

Q – The Best Time To Send Your Thank You Note? A – As quickly as you can while still allowing yourself enough time to craft a quality email!

If you're a numbers person, shoot for 30 minutes – 2 hours after the interview, but don't pull your hair out if you can't get it out until later in the day. Life gets in the way and it's far more important to send it later than not send it at all.

What Subject Line Should You Use For Your Interview Thank You Note?

Sometimes coming up with a subject line can be the hardest part of writing an email! In this case, you don't need to go crazy — something short and to the point will do just fine. My recommendations are:

  • Thank you for your time today [Name]
  • Following up on our interview today
  • It was great speaking with you

Any of those will do the trick!

These are all short, sweet, and leave no room for confusion. If you're really struggling to come up with something, feel free to borrow one of them.

Should You Send A Handwritten Note?

Sending a handwritten note is a great way to make sure your thank you stands out, but it takes time. If you're able to get your email sent within the first 24 hours, you're better off doing that.

If you're set on sending a handwritten note, my number one piece of advice is to use good old fashion snail mail.

Sending a thank you via USPS is going to take a few days, but it will almost certainly be a lot harder to ignore.

How Long Should A Thank You Email Be?

Your interviewer is likely busy. So, try to keep your post interview thank you email short and sweet. 80-150 words in 2-3 concise paragraphs are all you need.

Can you write less? Maybe. But there’s a good chance that your short email will sound generic or lack some key ingredients.

Part 2: How To Write A Thank You Interview Email — A Step-By-Step Guide

Now that we’ve got the basics covered, it’s time we dig in to the anatomy of a thank you interview email! 

You’ll want to…

#1 Express Your Appreciation

Let the interviewer know exactly what you’re thankful for. Perhaps you’re thankful for their time or for meeting with you. But those things are pretty generic, right?

Instead, be specific about a part of the interview you actually enjoyed. For example, maybe your interviewer told you about one of the company’s new programs or projects. How has learning about that program or project made you more excited about potentially working at this company?

Here’s an example of how you would build your introduction: 

“Hi, James! Thank you for our conversation earlier today. I really enjoyed learning more about EcoWise’s plan to launch a new app for consumers to track their renewable solar energy credits, and I am eagerly excited to improve the app’s UX if selected for the role.”

Once you’re done with this introduction, be sure you…

#2 Personalize The Message

Your interviewer may get thank you emails from other candidates. And you don’t want your email to sound like all the others. So, you must personalize the message.

How do you do that? For one, you address the interviewer by name. But you should also mention specific details about things you and the interviewer talked about.

Picking up the example above, you could go with something like: 

“In my previous role at BrainBloom, I helped increase user retention by 30% by designing an interactive chatbot assessing users’ most searched topics within the app. I think we can work on something similar for EcoWise’s app.”

For example, you can briefly share an idea of how you would solve a company challenge that the interviewer mentioned during your conversation. If you haven’t already, it could also be a good time to share a Value Validation Project to really demonstrate your interest and ability to solve a specific problem.

#3 Wrap Up And Express Your Enthusiasm For Next Steps

Wrap up by expressing you’re looking forward to continuing your conversation the next steps.

In our example, this would look something like: 

“I look forward to discussing this further in the next steps! Best wishes,  Willie Sherman”

But don’t hit “send” just yet! First, you’ll want to make sure you…

#4 Proofread Everything!

Last, but certainly not least, is proofreading every single detail of your thank you email before you send it!

If you're writing your thank you note in something like Gmail, I definitely recommend installing a plugin like Grammarly  or Hemingway . They will catch any spelling errors  and make suggestions for better grammar to help improve your writing.

Once you have your final draft in front of you, read it out loud! Then send it to a friend to get a double confirmation. If everything looks good after that, you're all set to send!

Let’s recap on what a great thank you interview email looks like:

How To Write a Thank You Email After An Interview - Example

Part 3: Post-Interview Thank You Email Templates & Examples

Now that we've covered the basics of great thank you notes, we can dive into the science behind writing one that will stand out from the crowd and get you hired.

We'll start by calling out two common thank you email templates that you should avoid . These are email templates that everyone ends up using because they're easy and average. Our goal is to stand out — to zig while everyone else zags — which means we don't want boring, boilerplate templates.

Next, I'll walk you through the methodology behind my thank you email strategy. I'll show you how to craft an email that will set you apart from the competition and bump you up on the interviewer's short list. Then you can get a copy of my post-interview thank you email template along with several thank you email examples from real people in my community!

Now, let's dive into the science behind writing a thank you note that helps you build a relationship with your interviewer and stand out from other candidates.

We'll start by looking at the mistakes most candidates make when sending their post-interview thank you emails.

When it comes to thank you's, the most common formats tend to fall into two buckets:

Bad Email #1 (Don't Use This!) Dear Mr. Last Name: I enjoyed speaking with you today about the assistant account executive position at [Company].  The job seems to be an excellent match for my skills and interests. In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position strong writing skills, assertiveness, and the ability to encourage others to work cooperatively with the department. I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in working for you and look forward to hearing from you regarding this position. Sincerely, Name

This email showcases zero personality and is so painfully formal that it can actually come off as unprofessional. You just spent an hour in a room trying to build a relationship with this person, you want your thank you note to be a reflection of your conversation!

Here's what the second most common email looks like:

Bad Email #2 (Don't Use This, Either!) Hi Name, Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I really enjoyed speaking with you about the position and am looking forward to next steps. Best, Your Name

While this is far better than Email #1, it leaves a lot on the table. Again, after chatting with someone for an hour, you should have a little bit more to say than “thanks, hope to hear from you soon!”

Remember, your thank you note is a huge opportunity for you to stand out, continue building a relationship with your interviewer, and cement that positive association in their mind.

We want to make sure we're doing everything we possibly can to capitalize on those three things.

Click Below To Get My “Copy & Paste” Post Interview Email Template Completely Free: Download A Free Copy Of My Proven Thank You Email Template

A Great Thank You Note Starts During The Interview

In order to maximize the value we deliver with our thank you note, we need to gather as much information as we possibly can during the interview.

These details come from the small talk you make before the interview starts, the conversations sparked by your answers or your resume, and the questions you ask your interviewer .

This is more of an art than a science and truly a case of practice makes perfect. Here are some pointers to get you started:

  • There is always a few minutes of small talk before the interview starts – use that to spark up a conversation. For example, if it's a Monday or Tuesday, ask how their weekend went. If it's Wednesday – Friday, ask if they have plans for the upcoming weekend.
  • If they begin talking, ask follow up questions. The longer you can get them to continue, the more information you get and the higher the odds of them creating a positive association with you in their brain .
  • At the end of the interview, have questions prepared ( here's a list of my favorites ). I always end an interview by asking them about their personal life outside of work.

The more personal information you get during the interview, the more ammo you have to include in your thank you note.

Remember the response I quoted in the opening paragraph of this post?

That VP had asked me about a book I read recently that made an impact on me. As soon as I answered, I asked her the same question. I hadn't read the book she mentioned, but I was very familiar with the author (Seth Godin).

I followed that up by asking her what she likes to read ( “are you a non-fiction only kind of person?” ) and how she finds the time to read with her crazy schedule.

Those two follow up questions sparked a conversation that lasted 15 minutes and helped me build a rapport.

In my thank you note, I mentioned that I ordered the book and appreciated the recommendation. A week later (after reading it), I followed up with her and mentioned my two favorite points the author made.

The mention in the thank you note helped me land the job and the follow up helped me start my new career with a fan in upper management.

If you want to ace your thank you note, you’ll need to bring in your a-game during the interview. This guide will help you effectively prepare for your next interview and walk out this amazing inputs for your thank you note!

The Most Effective Thank You Email Template

As mentioned above, I went on 50+ interviews and spoke to well over 100 people during the course of my job search. That meant a lot of thank you notes and, better yet, a lot of opportunities to test what format works best.

After all was said and done, the template below is the one my data showed to be most effective. I measured “effectiveness” by the percentage of people who replied as well my success rate for scoring a slot in the next round of interviews (or getting the offer).

What To Include

To start, we lead off with our “thank you.” It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many people fail to actually include the words “ thank you ” in their note, (seriously, I see this a surprising amount with the people I coach). Instead of actually saying it, they imply it  by saying stuff like “great chatting with you.”

People are busy, especially as you get further up the food chain. Their time is valuable and it goes a long way to acknowledge that. So don't just imply it, write out the words!

Next, we make a point to show them that we listened and understood.

Full attention is a rare thing in today's world and people like interviewers expect to get it from you. By recapping a point that you spoke about in your conversation, it shows that you were listening and engaged.

Bonus points if you add in an action you took based on the conversation, or share a relevant (and quality) piece of content!

Then, at the end of the email, we do the exact same thing by taking a personal angle in the PS. For best results, mention taking action against advice your interviewer gave you, illustrate your results, and finish with a follow up question.

This helps solidify your level of engagement in the interviewer's mind and keeps the door open to continue the conversation and build the relationship.

Now that you understand why each piece of the thank you email puzzle is important, let's check out a few examples of what an awesome post-interview thank you email looks like:

My Post-Interview Thank You Email Template & Examples

Click below to get a free copy of my proven Thank You email template, along with real-world examples of Thank You notes that worked. All you need to do is copy, paste, fill in the blanks, and hit send!

Click Below To Get My “Copy & Paste” Post Interview Email Template For Free: Download A Free Copy Of My Proven Thank You Email Template

How To Follow Up If You Haven't Heard Back After Your Interview

When it comes to getting the result you want (a job offer), persistence is key.

Sending a post-interview thank you email is always a must, but your work doesn't end there.

Hiring teams are  busy – they're interviewing other candidates, they're corralling colleagues for feedback, and (most importantly) they're still doing their jobs! Sometimes things fall through the cracks. While it's not ideal, we're all human and it happens.

If you want to boost your chances, you need to follow up.

Following Up When You Haven't Heard Back

The key to a great follow up is being politely persistent without being overbearing.

First, check back to see if the hiring team gave you a timeline. If the recruiter said, “we'll get back to you in a couple of weeks,” don't send a follow up one week later. Respect the timeline, but don't be afraid to follow up right when it ends.

Set a reminder in your phone or calendar for two weeks!

If you didn't get a clear timeline, my rule of thumb is to follow up every five business  days.

Austin's Five Day Follow Up Rule

My rule of thumb is to follow up every 5 business days when you haven't heard back and haven't been given a timeline.

Here's a quick email template you can use:

Hi [Name], I hope you are having a great week! I wanted to reach out and express my continued interest for the [Job Title] role. I know this is a busy time and I completely understand that there is a lot going into this decision. If there's anything else I can do or provide that would be helpful, please let me know! Best, [Your Name]

Updated Follow Up Email Template For Uncertain Times

If there's one thing COVID-19 has taught us, it is that unforeseen events can arise at any time. Whether it's a pandemic, an economic crisis, or acts of God, we will want to change the language in our emails.

The tests I've run with my clients have shown that following up with empathy is what works in uncertain times.

Here is the interview follow up email template you can use:

Hi [Name], I hope you are doing alright given everything that’s happening right now. I know this is an uncertain time and that there is a lot to deal with both personally and professionally. With everything going on, I completely understand that there may be delays in responses and/or with the process. Please take the time you need and stay safe. I did want to reach out to let you all know that I am still very excited about this opportunity. If there is anything I can do or provide that would be helpful, please let me know. I’m sending my best to you, your family, and your colleagues. Best, [Your Name]

There you go! You should be all set to send an awesome thank you email  and  stay on top of the company to make sure you're top of mind and standing out from the crowd.

If you missed it earlier, here's a link to my post-interview thank you email template complete with multiple examples:

should i send thank you email after phd interview

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Austin Belcak

Austin is the founder of Cultivated Culture where he helps people land jobs without connections, without traditional experience, and without applying online. His strategies have been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, & Fast Company and has helped people just like you land jobs at Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, & more.

22 thoughts on This Is The Most Effective Post-Interview Thank You Email

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Incredible piece of advice! You’re definitely a career strategist. I tried this strategy and it worked, and I’m happy. Thank you!

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Awesome Maito! I’m so happy to hear it helped you score the offer 🙂

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That’s what i needed the most right now because every time after my interview i always wonder what to write and how to write it, so thanks a lot for helping me out here and i am sure i am going to bookmark this for sure. cheers to this article.

I’m super happy to hear it Ritesh! I know it can be confusing trying to figure out how and when to follow up – I’m glad the article helped clear things up!

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Nicely done. Thanks. Constructive feedback: I think you have “and causation doesn’t imply correlation” reversed.

Good catch, thanks!

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Well written and very helpful!!

Appreciate it Trent!

That’s a great article and i was searching for this content because i didn’t know that doing follow up after applying for job is have this much importance so i was looking for how to do follow up process, thanks a lot for letting us know.Going to bookmark this for sure.

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I enjoyed visiting your webiste. I leave comments rarely, but you definately up deserve a thumbs!

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Easy to check out, easy to read…heck I had formed to leave a commment!

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Ha! I see you what you did with “bad email #1.” I actually read that email example on another site and thought “should I really be that formal after having such a great interview? Let me see if other websites agree.” Thank you for confirming my suspicion.

Haha I didn’t have the “don’t use this” at first and people were actually using that template Jeremy – glad you made your way to the right one 🙂

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Very helpful, specific and easy-to-implement advice. Much appreciated!!

You got it!

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Any advice on writing a thank you email after totally blowing a interview? I was so nervous I don’t think I answered anything they asked me. After walking out the door a moment of clarity hit me and I wanted to go back in. Is there any way to ask for a do-over?

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really helpful, love your insight, and thanks for sharing Austin!

You got it Jon!

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I just went on an interview. It was first in 9 years and after the interview I went to look up When is the best time to send a thank you follow up letter? Well it was with in 24hrs and I landed up on your site and I found out I did not ask enough questions. How can I rectifty that in my thank you letter? I am going to write my letter and hope you get back to me soon, but if not I will do my best with what I read in your article so that I can send it off in a timely manner. I know now for next time what to ask. Hopfully my thank you letter will set me apart from the crowd and will win me this position. Thank you for your site. It’s very informative.

Hey Carla, that’s ok! The thank you template here is best case scenario. Not everyone is going to remember to ask those questions or get all the info! The best thing you can do right now is send a thank you email as soon as possible. Thank them for their time, tell them that you enjoyed meeting them, and you’re looking forward to next steps.

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Greate article. Keep writing such kind of info on your blog.

Im really impressed by it. Hey there, You have done a great job. I will certainly digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this website.

Thanks so much, I appreciate it!

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Home » Case Western Reserve University » Should I Send Thank You Email After Phd Interview?

Should I Send Thank You Email After Phd Interview?

Table of Contents

Thank you notes are a key part of following up after an interview. Always write a thank you note or email within 24 hours after your interview .

Is it still appropriate to send a thank you email after an interview?

It’s best to send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview . Doing so demonstrates your interest in the job. It also keeps you top of mind with those you met with as they consider other candidates.

How do you write a thank you email to a professor after interview?

Use the thank you note to reiterate your interest in the position, to clarify or include information that may not have come up in the interview, and to emphasize your qualifications for the job. The letter should be brief and to the point. The main point is to say “thank you” for the interview.

Can you fail a PhD interview?

Many PhDs fail their first non-academic interview by treating it like an academic interview . The worst thing you can do during a job search is work hard for months (not to mention the years it took to get your PhD) and then mess it all up in the first 90 seconds of meeting an employer.

What should I do after my PhD interview?

Information to Include in Your Thank You Email

  • Elaborate on why you are thankful for the interview.
  • Show appreciation for the interviewer’s time.
  • Restate your interest in their grad school program.
  • Give one fact about why you would make a good candidate.

Should you send a thank you email to Professor?

Thanks or thank you is usually appropriate because you are usually asking for something . Sincerely sounds a little too formal for an email to a professor for my taste. Cheers and Greetings are also common. Please do not send me thank you emails for routine things like answering questions about the class.

How soon is too soon to send a thank you email after an interview?

When to send thank you email after interview? It’s best to send a thank you letter while you’re still fresh in the interviewer’s mind. So you should send the email message within 24 hours of the interview (the same day as the interview or the next).

Which of the following should you not do after an interview?

Here are five of those things you shouldn’t do after an interview.

  • Don’t replay the interview over and over.
  • Don’t harass the hiring manager.
  • Don’t stop your job search process or quit your job.
  • Don’t post anything about the interview on social media.
  • Don’t ghost the hiring manager.

How do you write a thank-you letter after an academic interview?

I want to thank you very much for interviewing me yesterday for the associate engineer position. I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about your research and design work. My enthusiasm for the position and my interest in working for RES were strengthened as a result of the interview.

What percentage of interviewed PhD applicants get admission?

First off, if you got invited, congratulations! You are well on your way to graduate school. For most programs, if you get invited to an interview, you have at least a 50% chance of getting admitted.

How do you respond to a PhD rejection email?

Thank you very much for your consideration . While it’s regrettable that the decision was not made to support my candidacy, I would nonetheless appreciate any insight into the Committee’s decision not to pursue my application further so that I can improve the competitiveness of my profile for future applications.

Do all PhD programs do interviews?

While not all PhD programs require interviews, some do (including many overseas) . If you’re invited to a PhD interview, take full advantage of the opportunity you’ve been given by preparing effectively – review your research on the department, prepare to talk about your PhD research goals, etc.

How long after a PhD interview should you hear back?

It seems that you normally hear within 1-3 days if you are successful in obtaining the PhD.

What percentage of PhDs get jobs?

The findings have been: Between 10% and 30% of PhD alumni get a permanent position at academia. Often around 70% of PhD alumni want to work in academia.

Will a PhD hurt my career?

Too many PhDs end up unemployed . According data from the National Science Foundation, 80% of Life Science PhDs end up completely unemployed or in low-paying postdoc training positions, which the government does not count as employment. 60% of ALL PhDs end up unemployed or in low-paying postdoc positions.

Is it weird to thank a professor?

Thank you! I think the vast majority of professors (and all teachers of all kinds) would appreciate a short, thoughtful note like this . No need to overdo it though. Even better, stop by their office hours and thank them in person!

Why do professors not reply to emails?

It should not be understood as an impoliteness. Professors get a lot of emails and answering every email can be a lot of work. If they just do not have time and read the email, then they forget often to respond later . This issue is not specific to academia.

Can I say thank you for your consideration?

Summary. Using “thank you for your consideration” is not a bad way to say thank you, but it definitely can be spiced up to sound more fluid and individualized . When contacting employers, you want not only want to make sure that all of your communication is professional, but you also want it to be memorable.

Are thank you emails annoying?

According to a study done by Accountemps, 94% of HR managers agree that it’s appropriate to follow up with a thank you email after an interview, yet more than 75% of candidates don’t bother . Why? They’re likely worried about being annoying or saying the wrong thing.

Is it OK to send the same thank you email to multiple interviewers?

For group interviews you typically only need to send one thank-you letter as it’s common for there to be one interviewer and many candidates however, you should send individual thank-you letters in the circumstance that there is more than one interviewer .

What are 5 things you should never say in a job interview?

Things you should never say in a job interview

  • Negativity about a previous employer or job.
  • “I don’t know.”
  • Discussions about benefits, vacation and pay.
  • “It’s on my resume.”
  • Unprofessional language.
  • “I don’t have any questions.”
  • Asking what the company does.
  • Overly prepared answers or cliches.

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By Cary Hardy

Hi there! I'm Cary Hardy, an education expert and consultant. I've worked with students of all ages and backgrounds, and I love helping them unlock their full potential. I'm also a big believer in lifelong learning- there's always something new to learn!

I got my start in education as a teacher, working with students in grades K-12. After several years of teaching, I transitioned into the world of educational consulting. I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods.

I'm passionate about helping people achieve their dreams, and I believe that education is the key to unlocking everyone's potential. Thanks for reading!

You might also like:

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How to Write a College Interview Thank You Email

How to Write a College Interview Thank You Email

  • Early Career

how to write a college interview thank you email

Your college admissions interview is over. You walk out of the room and breathe a sigh of relief. The preparation and interview may be done, but there’s one more thing you can do to end the interview process on a great note.

Writing a college interview thank you email is a simple task that reflects well on you and can impact the interviewer. Ahead, we’ll break down how to write a college interview thank you note and provide sample templates.

When to Write a College Interview Thank You Email

Compose your thank you email while the interview conversation is still fresh in your mind. Ideally, you should write the note on the same day that your interview takes place. Additionally, interview etiquette proposes that you send a thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview; however, not immediately after.

Leave time after the interview to reflect on the interview and write a thoughtful note. If you took notes during the interview, reference them while you write. Otherwise, you can rely on memory since the interview took place very recently.

What to Include in a College Interview Thank You Email

Now that you understand when to write and send a college interview thank you letter, it’s time to discuss the note’s contents. While your message should be unique to the conversation you had, it’s important to follow general guidelines.

As the name suggests, a thank you note should express your gratitude to the interviewer. Your expression of thankfulness should be clear and genuine. Rather than just saying “thank you,” include what you are thankful for. Thanking the interviewer taking the time to speak with you is a great place to start. If they offered any tips or suggestions that you found useful, you could mention these as well.

Another important component of a college interview thank you email is personalization. Add specific details from the conversation you had with the interviewer. You can do this by:

  • Mentioning an activity or interest that you and the interviewer both had in common
  • Discussing a program that the interviewer suggested you look into
  • Referencing an answer the interviewer gave when you asked a question

The sample thank you letters below offer concrete examples on how to weave details like these into a meaningful note.

In addition to conveying your gratitude, your college interview thank you note should express your interest in the school. In the letter, discuss a few key aspects of the school that excite you and make you eager to attend. Convey your enthusiasm about potentially attending the institution.

Also, keep in mind that the interviewer likely has a busy schedule. A college interview thank you note is not meant to be an essay or a recap of the entire interview. The thank you note should be concise and to the point.

how to write a college interview thank you email

Sample Thank You Letters for After a College Interview

Composing the thank you letter is easier after reading a couple of examples. Remember that your note should be unique to your conversation. A cookie-cutter thank you note won’t come across as thoughtful, so take time to personalize your note before you hit send.

Sample College Interview Thank You Note #1

Dear [interviewer], I want to thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with an alumnus about the impressive and diverse school that is [university]. I remain enthusiastic about attending [university] and becoming involved in the student body. Speaking of involvement, I looked into the [student program] you mentioned and am impressed by the positive impact the group has made on sustainability at the school. It’s a testament to just how driven and innovative the university’s students can be. Thank you for sharing that with me and for the opportunity to interview. Please let me know if there is any additional information that I can offer. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, [your name]

The sample thank you note above begins and ends with gratitude. It referenced a specific detail from the interview and emphasized the candidate’s interest in attending the university. For a different approach with similar core components, read the sample letter below.

Sample College Interview Thank You Note #2

Dear [interviewer], It was a pleasure meeting with you this morning. Thank you for sitting down with me and taking the time to get to know me. Hearing about your experience as a [university] student brought a unique perspective that excited me even more about the prospect of attending. It’s nice to know how welcoming the student body is. I also enjoyed learning more about the opportunities that the [department] offers for students like me that are interested in double majoring. It’s clear that I would have the opportunity to pursue both my passions at [university]. Overall, speaking with you was a beneficial experience, and I want to thank you again for your time and consideration. P.S I stopped by the [on campus cafe] you recommended and tried one of the blueberry muffins. You were right—they are delicious. Thanks for the tip! Sincerely, [your name]

This sample note takes a slightly less formal approach than the first and references multiple conversation pieces from the interview. There are multiple expressions of gratitude in the letter, and an upbeat tone helps convey enthusiasm.

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With InterviewFocus, you receive personalized recommendations detailing how you can improve your performance. With in-depth metrics , including an eye contact score, tone of voice evaluation and a frequent word counter, InterviewFocus helps you hone your interviewing skills.

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Questions or Comments

How to Write a Thank You Email After a Job Interview (With Templates)

should i send thank you email after phd interview

You studied up on the company. You prepared for every possible job interview question . You delivered the perfect handful of anecdotes. Now, it’s all over. Or is it?

There’s no consensus in the business world over whether you should send a final “thank you” interview after your job interview, but that’s just what makes it stand out as the perfect touch for some interviewers.

Should you bother with a thank you email after the fact? Are you blowing up your shot at the perfect job if you skip it? And what details would you have to include if you did send one? Here’s everything to know about email followups to job interviews, along with a few templates to get you started on your own.

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Should I Even Write a Thank You Email at All?

Thank you emails aren’t for everyone. For one thing, many managers won’t notice at all if you don’t send one, and a lack of a thank you email is unlikely to impact your standing as a job applicant.

In fact, some managers actively dislike getting a thank you email: They may perceive it as a sign that you’ll waste their time with performative niceties and perhaps swamp their inbox with even more emails if hired on.

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However, plenty of other managers will be thrilled to get a personalized thank you for their often-unappreciated work. Some will even be upset if they  don’t receive a thank you, since they perceive as an unwritten rule that a truly ambitious job applicant will take the time to go the extra mile for them.

In the end, you should consider what impact you want to leave on the job interviewer. Are you a naturally thoughtful person or a bit of a perfectionist? If so, sending a thank you email will create an accurate impression of what type of worker you are. However, if you’re a dependable but terse worker, you might want to avoid sending a thank you email: You may not want to be hired by a manager who values that extra verbosity.

Finally, if you’re applying to a sales position, I’d recommend going ahead and sending that email: You might as well show your potential employees that you can schmooze with the best of them if that’s the job description.

What Elements Should a Thank You Email Include?

A good post-job interview thank you email just needs to do two different things: Make you look thoughtful, and remind the interviewer of why you’re the best fit for the job.

The thoughtful part’s pretty simple: Say thanks, and maybe throw in a tasteful compliment if it’s organic.

You can feel free to reiterate the most relevant skills and past job roles that make you an attractive candidate. I’d also suggest throwing in a reference to why you want the job, so that the whole email isn’t just about why they should want you.

Here’s a quick list of the points you’ll likely want to touch on with your email:

  • Say thanks.
  • Reference your best traits from the job interview . This might be skills, experience, or job history, but it must be specific.
  • Explain what you like about the role . Does it offer you experience you need? The career path you want?
  • Say you’re looking forward to the next step.  This is a good sign-off, since it points towards the future step, and reinforces the idea that you’ll be moving on in the job interview process.
  • Say thanks again!  You always want to end with one last “thanks again.”

You can also to this chance to cover any nitty-gritty details that might have been questioned during the interview: If you said you’d get back to them about a salary question or confirm if you’ve used their brand of customer relationship software in the past, now’s the time to explain.

In fact, if you can remember a small detail from the job interview, it might be a great excuse to justify sending the entire thank you email itself. Maybe during the pre-interview conversation, you wanted to recommend a great sketch comedy show on Netflix, but you couldn’t remember the name. If so, you could open with the name itself: It’s personable, low-effort, and makes your interview stand out from the pack.

The Biggest Thank You Email Mistakes to Avoid

As if all this wasn’t hard enough, the wrong thank you email can ensure that you never land the job… even if the interview itself went well!

The most common problem is mispelling the name of the interviewer or the company . Not only if this insulting, but it’s a clear indication that you’ll confuse more details if hired. However, since so many job interviewees are applying to hundreds of positions, it’s easier than you might think to make this exact mistake: Job applicants will often copy and paste the name of the last person to interview them and forget to change it to the new person.

The other big issue to avoid is adding extra detail or making requests . If you need something clarified, you should ask during the interview itself. You don’t want to put extra pressure on a middle-manager to get back to your concerns after the fact. If hired, you’ll make their job easier, not harder.

Templates and Subject Line Suggestions

Here’s a generic template that can get you started with your own thank you email, as well as an even shorter version, if you want to keep it quick.

Just remember to spice up these templates with your own spin on these concepts, from the exact skills or experiences you already highlighted during the interview, to the exact wording you use for everything else.

Basic thank you email template

Dear [Interviewer’s name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today and for the opportunity to discuss the role of [Job title] at [Company name]. I’d love the chance to join your team and contribute to [Company name]’s success.

I particularly enjoyed learning about [specific project or aspect of the role] and how it aligns with my experience in [related skill or field]. With my background in [specific skill or experience], I am confident that I can bring valuable insights and contribute effectively to [specific team or project]. Learning [the skill] is a great opportunity for my personal career growth, so this looks like a fit to me.

Please feel free to reach out if you need any additional information or have further questions. I look forward to the next steps in the hiring process.

Thank you once again for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Your name]

Short thank you email template

Thank you for meeting with me today to discuss the [Job title] position at [Company name]. I enjoyed learning about the role and am excited about the opportunity to contribute to [specific project or aspect of the role].

Looking forward to the next steps.

Potential subject lines

For the subject line, consider one of these options:

  • Thank You for the Interview
  • Excited About the Opportunity
  • Follow-Up on Our Interview
  • Enjoyed Our Conversation
  • Thank You, [Interviewer’s name]

That last one will definitely stand out in your interviewer’s mind, as an email subject line that is name-specific tends to jump out at someone.

In the end, you can’t control how someone will receive your email. They might love a thoughtful note, or they might be upset that you’re wasting their time. But as long as you authentically convey your personal work ethic and double-check your spelling, you’ll position yourself for the role that’s best for you.

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COMMENTS

  1. Interview Follow-Up For PhDs: Exactly What To Say And When

    Why You Should Be Following Up After An Interview. An overwhelming majority of HR managers say it's appropriate to send a thank-you email or leave a handwritten note following an interview. Yet, despite 94% of HR managers responding favorably to thank-you letters, only 24% of candidates actually send one. There are a few reasons to send a ...

  2. Writing a Grad School Interview Thank You Email

    The best time to email your grad school interview thank you is within 24-48 hours after completing your interview. A grad school interviewer will often interview several candidates in anticipation for the upcoming semester. Email them any later and your email may be out of context from the interview haze. Or worse, the interviewer may get the ...

  3. Do I need to send e-mail to follow up a PhD interview day?

    14. A polite and courteous thank-you email is never inappropriate. Also, if you've left anything out of your interview day (or promised to follow up on something), it's a good opportunity to do so. However, you shouldn't turn this into an opportunity to go overboard and plead or beg for a spot, or oversell yourself.

  4. How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview

    How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview. Summary. You've updated your resume, written your cover letter, and prepared for your interview. Now it's time for your thank you note to ...

  5. How to Write the Perfect Interview Thank You (with Examples!)

    If you want to go with something a little more formal, consider something like: "Thank you for your time". "Thanks for the interview yesterday" (or today, depending on when it was) "I enjoyed learning more about [ Company name ]". Alternatively, if you want to go with something a little more casual, feel free to choose one of these ...

  6. How to Write a Thank You Email After an Academic Interview

    So send out that email 18-36 hours after the interview. Personalize the email to indicate to the recipient that this is not a mass email but rather a well thought out one. Include specifics around the questions and the responses by that particular interviewer. Express gratitude to the interviewer for taking the time and effort to not just host ...

  7. PDF Interview Thank You Notes

    Use the thank you note to reiterate your interest in the position, to clarify or include information that may not have come up in the interview, and to emphasize your qualifications for the job. The letter should be brief and to the point. The main point is to say "thank you" for the interview. The letter should be sent within two days of ...

  8. Sending a Thank You Note after an Academic Interview

    According to Peter Steyger, Professor of Otolaryngology at Oregon Health & Science University: "Sending a thank you note is a good courtesy to have. In practice… it does not and should not sway the interviewer. However, it helps to reinforce an interviewer's initial opinion of the applicant. It can also help to refresh the interviewer's ...

  9. Thank you email after interview

    In our guide on how to send a thank you email after an interview, we include 25 examples that you can use to shape your emails. We also introduce you to Flowrite, your personal assistant that can write your emails for you. Check it out in action: Thank for feedback. Tia.

  10. Why Interview Etiquette Calls for a Thank You Email and How To Write

    An example of a good subject line is "Thank you!" or "Thank you for your time yesterday." Avoid using puns, slang or unprofessional language. Address the hiring manager or interviewer by name: When beginning your email, be sure to use the name of the person you interviewed with rather than saying "Dear Hiring Manager," or a similar and vague ...

  11. Discover Thank You Email After Grad School Interview 2024+

    A Thank You Email After Grad School Interview is a great way to convey your appreciation. After all, the person spent time helping you accomplish a personal or professional goal. It is a powerful way for you to follow up on a formal interview, or informal meeting. Your ability to compose a well thought out thank you note may help you impress ...

  12. This Is The Most Effective Post-Interview Thank You Email

    1 Building relationships with people who can influence the hiring decision. 2 Standing out from all of the other candidates vying for this job. The post interview thank you email is a highly effective (and incredibly easy) tactic that covers both bases. It's also overlooked by 76% of job seekers.

  13. Is it always a no-brainer to send a thank you note after an interview

    Well after reading the comments, maybe I'm the anomaly but I have never sent a thank you note after an interview. I think I sent an update/thank you email to my letter-writers after I accepted my PhD program offer but that didn't feel fake to me - I wanted to share my good news with them. I'm in the US.

  14. Tips to Writing a Thank You Email After an Interview (With Examples

    How to write a thank you email after an interview. Referring to the examples above, here are some important elements to include in a thank you email: Write a brief subject line. Include a salutation. Start the email with a thank you. Use specific examples. Close with a call to action. 1. Write a subject line.

  15. Thank you emails after an interview : r/gradadmissions

    I sent thank you emails to my interviewers and I got a lot of really kind, encouraging replies! I would send to the head of the committee and any interviewers that you have something to follow up about. Depends on how many people there were. I feel like 6 emails would be too much for example 🤔.

  16. How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview (With…

    4. Be your authentic (professional) self. There's no need to try to mimic the interviewer's tone or personality in your note. Johnson advised making it feel and sound like you (without coming off too casual—this isn't a text to a friend). Doing so, she added, also ensures you're the right match for the job.

  17. Should I Send Thank You Email After Phd Interview?

    Is it still appropriate to send a thank you email after an interview? It's best to send a thank-you email within 24 hours of your interview. Doing so demonstrates your interest in the job. It also keeps you top of mind with those you met with as they consider other candidates.

  18. How to Write an Interview Follow-Up Email: Guide and Samples

    When to send it: Either the same day or the next business day. Sample subject lines: "Thank you". "Thank you // interview follow-up". Or reply directly to your previous chain. For a standard thank-you email, you don't need to say much beyond your expression of gratitude and continued interest.

  19. How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview [With Samples]

    The timing of sending a thank you email after a college admissions interview is crucial. Ideally, you should send the email within 24 to 48 hours after the interview — the earlier, the better. This time frame allows you to express your gratitude while the interaction is still fresh in your mind and in the mind of the interviewer.

  20. Thank you note after interview

    7. If you are planning on sending the notes because you think that it will improve your chances of being hired, don't waste your time. If two candidates were equally good in terms of their CVs, and equally collegial during the interviews, which they never are, then maybe, and only maybe, would the thank you not matter.

  21. Should I send a thank you email after PhD interview?

    Yes! A thank you note tells them that you are still interested in the program. Also, if you can touch on the details of the interview it tells them you cared. I just sent the email. I said that I enjoyed our exchange on the topic. I saw on other forums that people suggested to stay concise so I tried to stick to that. Thank you for your answer.

  22. 4 Sample Thank-You Emails To Send After an Interview

    Rather than starting to type your message right away, always begin thank-you emails with a salutation. "Hello [Interviewer name]" or "Dear [Interviewer name]" is ideal for most thank-you notes. Remember to use the name that your interviewer provided when you met, which may be a first name or a title.

  23. How to Write a College Interview Thank You Email

    Sample Thank You Letters for After a College Interview. Composing the thank you letter is easier after reading a couple of examples. Remember that your note should be unique to your conversation. A cookie-cutter thank you note won't come across as thoughtful, so take time to personalize your note before you hit send. Sample College Interview ...

  24. How to Write a Thank You Email After a Job Interview & Templates

    Basic thank you email template. Dear [Interviewer's name], Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today and for the opportunity to discuss the role of [Job title] at [Company name]. I'd ...