How to Write a Professional Thank-You Email After an Interview

A thank-you email after an interview demonstrates your interest and communication skills.

By Robin Reshwan and Arnie Fertig 

Did you know that thank-you notes are so important that they have their own "National Day" on Dec. 26? This sleeper of a December holiday may not be well known, but the significance of expressing thanks, especially after an interview, continues to be a much appreciated courtesy. The thank-you letter has evolved since its handwritten roots in the 1400s, but the purpose remains the same – to politely express sincere gratitude.

Why Send a Thank-You Email?

• Polite is a professional superpower. A recent 2022 survey by Zety found that employers look for conscientiousness and agreeableness in potential new hires and job candidates. In a world where there is more automation and distance, it is interesting (and not surprising) that employers want to work with genuine and thoughtful humans. A thank-you email after any interaction during the hiring process is an excellent way to demonstrate these traits.

• Demonstrated interest. Although it doesn't always feel that way during the hiring process, interviewing is a two-way process where mutual interest is important to a successful outcome. Given the volume of applicants and the volume of roles that many candidates are pursuing, a thank-you email makes it clear that you are indeed interested in continuing in the interview process after each step. It also enables you to stand out, since most applicants do not send thank-you messages. It is a simple, but high-impact way to distinguish yourself.

When Should a Thank-You Letter Be Sent?

Interview processes have become more involved; candidates may meet with a range of employees across the organization, some on multiple occasions. Should you send a thank-you note after each exchange?

In general, send one to each new person you meet after the first time you interact with them. Also, send a thank-you email after each substantive interaction, like a second or third interview, even if it is with a person you have met (and thanked) in the past. If possible, send the email on the same day, especially if you know they are making swift decisions. However, only send an email if you have enough time to make sure it is well written and error-free. A poorly written email will do more harm than good – so don't rush if it means sacrificing quality.

What to Include in a Thank-You Email

Start with an authentic expression of appreciation for the opportunity and/or the time that was spent with you. You will get bonus points if you include any unique insights you gained or additional details that support your candidacy. Close by expressing your continued interest in moving forward in the process. Some managers will share your notes with others, so vary your content slightly to avoid looking like you just cut and paste the same message. Send each person their own professional thank-you letter, customizing each based on the person's title, department, interests and hiring criteria.

The ability to write clear, grammatically-correct, properly formatted and professional correspondence is important for almost every role. Your thank-you email demonstrates your written communication skills – so be sure to make a great impression every time you send an email. It is always helpful to have a trusted contact review your messages to ensure the email is as compelling as possible.

Professional Thank-You Email Samples

At every stage of your interactions with a potential employer, it is important to keep the momentum moving forward, and employers may look for you to do that with timely, individualized follow-up thank-you notes. If you need inspiration before crafting your own thank-you emails following different stages of the interview process, refer to these examples.

Thank-You Email After a Phone Screen

After an initial phone screening interview with a recruiter who may be moving you to the next stage in the process, try a template like this:

• "Hi Rick,
  Thank you for spending time with me today to discuss the analyst role. I was pleased to hear that my background seems to be an ideal match for the team, and I look forward to the next steps in the process."
• Dear Ms. Smith,
  Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about my application to join X Company as an (insert job title). I know that you likely speak to many applicants, but I want you to know I appreciate you wanting to get to know me and review my background.
  Again, I believe that my experience in the areas of A, B and C relate well to the position requirements, and I hope that I'll be able to make substantial contributions to your company.
  I remain very interested in this position and look forward to taking the next step of an in-person interview. Please don't hesitate to be in touch if you would like any further information."

Thank-You Email After an Interview

No matter how well or poorly you think you did in an interview, a follow-up email is necessary, both as a matter of common etiquette and to demonstrate your real interest. Moreover, it is an opportunity to take one more bite out of the apple if you feel that you omitted something or didn't answer a question you know you should have in retrospect. After an interview with a hiring manager or the hiring team, try a template like this:

• "Hi Mary,
  Thank you for your time today. I really enjoyed hearing more about the growth of the ABC team at Awesome Co. I would be thrilled to leverage the lessons learned when my current company experienced a similar expansion in 2019. If I can provide any additional information, please let me know. I am very interested in continuing in the interview process and appreciate your ongoing consideration."
• "Dear Mr. Smith,
  It was a pleasure meeting you today at X Company. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule so that we could get to know each other. Your question about A was excellent, and I am thankful it gave me an opportunity to speak about B.
  As I was reflecting on our time together, it occurred to me that I responded to a question about C without mentioning D. I hope that this further information will aid in your deliberations and evaluation of my candidacy.
  It was exciting to see X Company firsthand, and to learn more about the position and your expectations. I hope you will conclude that my experience doing A, B and C will enable me to provide exceptional value to your company.
  Again, I want you to know how excited I am about the prospect of becoming part of your team and I thank you again for your consideration. Please don't hesitate to be in touch if I can provide any other information that will help to make an appropriate evaluation of my candidacy."
• "Hi Mary,
  It was great to see you today. I really appreciated meeting the team and learning more about the upcoming software transformation. As a user of your future software, I would love to help with the transition and play a role in maintaining productivity during a challenging time. My interest in Awesome Co. has never been stronger. Please let me know if I can answer any questions or provide additional information to demonstrate my interest and qualifications."

Professional Email for a Status Update:

Inquiring just to keep yourself in front of people, especially when done too often, can be seen as a sign of desperation and a turnoff to employers. However, if you are truly interested in the position and have something to say that can be relevant, go for it. For example, if you are going in for a second interview someplace else, but you really would rather work at a place at which you've already interviewed, you can try checking on the status.

• "Dear Ms. Smith,
  I really enjoyed meeting with you on (add date), and was very impressed by you and the potential role that I can fill in your company. Because I'm most interested in working with you, I wanted to keep you up to date with my job search. Another company with which I've interviewed has invited me back for a second interview next week, and has indicated that if that goes well, a job offer will not be far behind.
  In truth, there are a few reasons why I would prefer working at your company, including A, B and C. I hope you can give me a better insight as to where I stand with your company. Anything you can do to expedite progress on my application or information you can provide would be very much appreciated. I certainly hope that I won't lose the opportunity to work with you because our timing is out of sync.
  Again, thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon!"

Check Your Work

Remember to double-check the spelling of each recipient's name and the company name. You can look back at any calendar invites, emails, the company webpage or LinkedIn to confirm email addresses and spelling. If full names, correct spelling or contact information were not given to you, it is always OK to contact the recruiter or interview coordinator to ask for those details. In summary, an effective thank-you email after an interview does not need to be long or painful to write. A succinct, sincere and error-free message is the best way to go.

How to use the STAR method for your next job interview

 

The STAR method can help you nail your next interview once you learn to master it with this definitive guide that includes examples and how to use the method.

When it's time for your next interview, you want to be prepared. The working world is competitive and always changing, and it's more important than ever to stand out to an employer. The interview is your first opportunity to make a good impression. The interview helps employers connect the person behind the application to the job's necessities and company culture. Some of the top employers in the nation use the STAR method to filter the best talent from candidate pools.

It might help to find out if your interviewer uses the STAR method by doing some research. You can ask current employees about the interview process or go online to learn more from discussion forums and the company website. You might also want to rehearse STAR answers to anticipate this kind of interview. So, now that you understand how to use it, let's explore what it is and how it works. Upload a resume, take a seat, and get ready to learn all about the STAR interview method.

The STAR interview method: What is it?

The STAR method is an interview technique that helps applicants answer behavioral interview questions. These kinds of questions explore an applicant's potential behavioral responses to difficult situations or how you might have handled specific situations at work in previous positions. These questions are important to an employer because they showcase the applicant's reactions to stress and working conditions and how they interact with other people in the workplace.

STAR is an acronym that stands for:

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

Why the STAR method works

The STAR method is effective because it can help you plan for and perform well during an interview by focusing on your core strengths more organically with more direct, focused answers. Breaking up an anecdote in this way can make it more digestible for your interviewer, which can be key to impressing them. Let's say you're giving an example of a time when you volunteered to stay after your shift to help close a retail store. It's not enough to just say you stayed late, because that doesn't provide any helpful context or explore your motivations.

The STAR method works because it allows you to describe the situation, providing important situational information, the task you performed, showcasing your skills, the actions you took, showing initiative and work ethic, and the specific results of your efforts, which show competency. With such a complete answer, employers are better able to draw accurate conclusions about who you are as a person and a prospective employee.

Answering interview questions with STAR

Let's talk about actually answering questions with the STAR method. The example you choose can be the deciding factor in whether an interviewer finds value in your answer, so the first step is to choose a suitable example. For example, if an employer asks you to describe a time you reacted poorly to a workplace incident, telling them about the time you tipped over a table might not be the best idea. Choose something that showcases some of your best qualities instead, like patience or compassion.

Once you choose a suitable example, it's important to describe the situation effectively. Give only necessary details to paint a picture of the situation and why you might have reacted the way you did. Keep details to a minimum while describing the situation as best you can. For example, if you want to talk about a time when you exceeded expectations, you don't have to talk about all the praise you received afterward or how you were the only one to do so. Focus on what contributed to your decision to exceed expectations, like staff shortages.

Describing how you can fit the role

With situational context established, you can begin describing exactly how you fit in your example. Highlight your specific role and objective and how it affected the situation. It's important to focus on the positives here–after all, you're trying to impress the employer and earn the position you're applying for. Describe your specific responsibilities in the scenario and the goals or objectives you wanted to meet to provide further information for the action phase of your answer. This is where you describe what actions you took and whether you met objectives, as well as any consequences of your actions.

Remember to keep any answers as concise as possible. Avoid excessive details and only describe yourself in a positive light. Be honest with your interviewer as well to help build that crucial trust between a prospective employer and a candidate. Honesty, efficiency, and positive answers are impressive to an employer and they might be more considerate of your application if they feel you were genuine during the interview.

How to use the STAR method to prep for an interview

Let's learn how to use the STAR method to prepare for an interview so you can be ready.

List job qualifications

First, you'll want to list your job qualifications. Think about anything that makes you uniquely qualified for your position or your prospective position. This can be certifications, experience, or familiarity with proprietary systems. For example, a software developer might list their six programming languages as a qualification.

Create interview question examples

One of the best ways to use the STAR method for interview prep is to create hypothetical interview questions and give your own answers. Start with some of the most common formats for behavioral interview questions, like:

• Can you give me an example of when you went above and beyond at work?
• Can you tell me about a time when you couldn't meet your job requirements?
• What do you do when you're faced with a co-worker dispute?
• Have you ever had to stand up to your manager?
• Can you describe a difficult situation at work?

Match your skills to the position

The STAR method can also help you match your skills to the position you're applying for, so you can be sure you're the right fit. Consider questions like the ones above and then determine if your skills made you qualified to handle those situations effectively. Do you have the right skills for navigating tough working conditions? Co-worker disputes? Are you a good time manager? These are important factors to remember when you're prepping for your interview so you can sound more confident in your abilities.

Practice with a friend

Practicing with a friend can help you feel less nervous about your upcoming interview and help you nail the STAR method before you ever step foot in the interviewer's office. Enlist family or friends to role-play the interviewer for you and ask some common behavioral interview questions. Give them a genuine response using the STAR method and think about your answers. They can also give you some valuable feedback to refine those answers and make you a more confident interviewee.

Example questions and answers

Let's look at some example questions and answers using the STAR method so you can get a better idea of how to answer.

Can you tell me about a time when you went above and beyond at work?

Using the STAR method, you can structure an answer like this:

• Situation: In my last job as a district manager, the company experienced a massive resignation that created a labor shortage.
• Task: My job was to find temporary workers to fill lower positions and begin scouting for mid-level positions. I had a deadline of two months to hire 30 new employees.
• Action: I contacted a local temp agency and began hiring temporary workers while utilizing web platforms to scan hundreds of applications each day for prospects.
• Result: After a month and a half of 12-hour days and endless interviews, I was able to hire 30 new, qualified employees and contribute to the company's increased productivity the following quarter.

Can you tell me about a time you had a dispute at work?

Structure your answer with the STAR method like this:

• Situation: One of my co-workers called off multiple times, and I had to come in on weekends and holidays.
• Task: I had to find a way to confront them without being aggressive, despite being upset.
• Action: I explained how their actions made me feel and that I was losing sleep.
• Result: My co-worker started being more responsible and not calling off every weekend.

That's our guide to the STAR interview method. Use this method to ace your next interview by creating better, more informative answers with specific context and highlights of your best skills and attributes.

Top 5 transferable skills that must be on your resume

 

Employers look for these 5 transferable skills in potential employees because they're common in the most successful candidates. Use them to your advantage.

Want to try a new industry or embark on a career change but don't think you have what it takes to make the leap? You may be better prepared than you realize. When you tap into your transferable skills and use those to market yourself, your opportunities open up, enabling you to explore new industries and job titles.

Transferable skills are those that can be applied to a wide range of jobs and industries. These skills are usually learned on the job, at school, during volunteer work, through community activities, at networking events or even in everyday social activities. Below are the top five transferable skills employers across every industry look for most in potential employees.

1. Analytical skills

The ability to analyze data, trends or reports is both increasingly in demand and highly transferable, according to Rian Powell, director of recruiting, accounting and finance at LaSalle Network. "We're starting to see more STEM candidates in the job market who have experience and knowledge in high-volume data tools, and if you worked in one data set, you can work in another," Powell says. While you may not consider yourself an analytical person, Powell says many people have analyzed data in some capacity, whether it was for a school project, in a previous job or "even looking at how a personal post on Facebook did in terms of activity and analyzing why it performed a certain way."

2. Communication

"No matter what position level or industry, you must communicate effectively – both verbally as well as in writing – to be effective in your job," says Wade Pierson, owner of Impact Talent Ventures. And, Powell adds: "Communication is one of the most important skills to have in the workplace and can be transferred from any previous experience – personal or professional." For example, at school, one might develop their communication skills from participating in a committee, club or college sport, or by working in group projects and presentations. In the workforce, communication skills develop through everyday experience "or even paying attention to effective communicators and how they approach different types of conversation," Powell says.

3. Computer literacy

Zachary Painter, a career adviser, suggests developing STEM-related skills, such as coding, which are highly desirable. While you may not have the time or patience to learn computer programming, any time and effort you can devote to developing your computer literacy skills and familiarizing yourself with up-and-coming software, tools and terminology will not go to waste. "You can use these skills at any job, as technology is becoming more ubiquitous in the workplace," Painter says.

4. Presentation skills

"Presentation skills can be used in so many different environments: team meetings, client presentations, one-on-one meetings with a supervisor, individual staff evaluations, and committee meetings, to name a few," says April Klimkiewicz, owner of bliss evolution, a career coaching business. "Presentation skills are important because you have to know your audience and determine what information will be most important and relevant to them in order to affect your intended outcome."

5. Prioritization

"Being able to prioritize your work is extremely important in today's labor market," Klimkiewicz says. "This allows the manager to focus on other goals rather than checking in with their direct reports constantly."

The ability to prioritize shows that you have a strong work ethic, according to Powell, and you don't need to have recent work experience to hone this skill. "For recent college students entering the workforce, examples can stem from balancing class with sports, or with an extracurricular activity," Powell says. "If you are a parent returning to the workforce, this is an ongoing balancing act and knowing what is important [versus what is] urgent is a skill that is relatable to any industry."

How to hone your transferable skills

You probably already have most of these skills; however, if you want to expand your skill set, try taking classes online or at a local community college, Powell suggests. "Do it outside of the workplace to show that you're passionate about it and willing to invest your own time," she says. Expanding your professional network can help, too. "You could also attend networking events in that new industry or role to meet people in the industry who can help you learn and grow."

10 jobs that pay $40,000

 

Got a specific salary in mind? These 10 jobs will fit the $40,000 bill.

In a perfect world, we'd all earn more money than we'd know what to do with. But, in such tough economic times, we have to be realistic. The truth is, while earning an abundance of money would be ideal, those earning the average national income or even slightly above it should consider themselves lucky.

It's hard to feel lucky, however, when the national mean average salary is $42,504 per year, according to the National Compensation Survey. That might not seem like much, but these days, it's more than enough -- or at least it has to be.

That's why we've compiled a list of jobs that pay around the average, in the $40,000 range. If you can't find a job earning enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life, at least you might find something to keep you comfortable for the time being.

Here are 10 jobs in various trades that earn around or more than the national average, and the industries with the highest levels of employment for each profession -- aka, the places with the most jobs.*

1.Graphic designers design or create graphic layouts for books, magazines, newspapers, Web sites and other commercial or promotional needs.**
Qualifications:A bachelor's or an associate degree
Industries with most job openings:Specialized design services; newspaper, book, periodical and directory publishers; advertising.
Salary:$40,000/year*

2.Precision instrument and equipment repairers fix and maintain watches, cameras, musical instruments, medical equipment and other precision instruments.
Qualifications:A high school diploma; in some cases post-secondary education.
Industries with most job openings:Professional and commercial equipmentand supplies merchant wholesalers; electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance; electronics and appliance stores.
Salary:$41,498/year

3.Medical and public-health social workersoffer patients and families psychosocial support to help cope with chronic, acute or terminal illnesses. They can also suggest caregivers, and counsel and educate the patient on his or her illness.
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree, sometimes an advanced degree; state license. 
Industries with most job openings:General medical and surgical hospitals, individual and family services, home health-care services. 
Salary:$43,056/year

4.Kindergarten teachers(except special education)teach young children basic science, music, art and literature, and encourage physical, mental and social development.
Qualifications:A bachelor's degree from a teacher education program and a state teaching license.
Industries with most job openings: Elementary and secondary schools; child day-care services; individual and family services.
Salary:$43,394/year

5.Plumbers,pipefittersandsteamfittersput together, install and fix pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air and other liquids or gases.
Qualifications:Training in career and technical schools and community colleges, apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
Industries with most job openings:Building equipment contractors; nonresidential building construction; utility system construction.
Salary:$44,866/year

6.Dietitiansandnutritionistsplan diet requirements and determine nutritional needs for clients; manage meal programs and oversee meal preparation.
Qualifications: A bachelor's degree and state license, certification or registration.
Industries with most job openings:General medical and surgical hospitals; nursing-care facilities; outpatient care centers.
Salary:$45,001/year

7.Reportersand correspondentsreport and convey facts about newsworthy events to an audience via newspaper, magazine, radio, television or Internet.
Qualifications:A bachelor's degree in journalism or mass communications is preferred, but some other majors are OK; internships are preferred.
Industries with most job openings:Newspaper, periodical, book and directory publishers; radio and television broadcasting; other information services. 
Salary:$45,115/year

8.Bailiffsmaintain the order and security in a courtroom and escort jury members outside the courtroom to prohibit interaction with the public.
Qualifications:They vary by employer, but most require a high school diploma or equivalent, and some also require some college education or full-time work experience.
Industries with most job openings:Local government.
Salary:$47,502/year

9.Respiratory therapistsadminister respiratory care and life support to patients with breathing problems and other cardiopulmonary disorders, under the supervision of a physician.
Qualifications:An associate degree is the minimum educational requirement, but a bachelor's or master's degree may be important for advancement; state license.
Industries with most job openings:General medical and surgical hospitals; specialty hospitals (except mental or substance abuse); nursing-care facilities.
Salary:$48,033/year

10.Architecturalandcivil draftersprepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings used in civil engineering projects like highways, bridges and public works. 
Qualifications:Employers prefer applicants who have completed post-secondary school training in drafting, which is offered by technical institutes, community colleges and some four-year colleges and universities.
Industries with most job openings:Architectural, engineering and related