Most job seekers in Canada put a lot of effort into crafting a resume and preparing for an interview.
Here’s what many people don’t spend much time on but should: your thank-you email after an interview.
It’s surprising how many job candidates don’t bother to send a thank-you note, because it really does make a positive impression on employers.
It’s a simple step to take, and it can separate you from equally qualified candidates who don’t send a thank-you email after an interview.
And yes, you should write a thank-you message after a video interview just as you would an in-person meeting.
If the challenge of crafting a great thank-you email is holding you back from sending one, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are the basic points you should include in just about any thank-you note you send after an interview, and a few optional ideas:
Express thanks for the interviewer’s time.Briefly reinforce why you’re interested in the job and why you’d be a good match.Consider adding something that you and the interviewer discussed while getting to know each other that makes the thank you email more personal. Offer to answer any questions they might have.Add relevant examples of your work or suggest a solution to a company problem that came up during your conversation.Close your email by reiterating your appreciation for the interview and asking about next steps.
In your introduction, you want to express your gratitude for their time and the opportunity to interview.
In the body of the email, you can briefly mention your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
You can recap a specific detail or two that resonated with you during the interview. This shows you were engaged in the conversation and your attention to detail.
You can also address any follow-up questions you have that weren't covered during the interview.
Conclude with a final thank you and a professional closing, before expressing your continued interest and availability for the next steps.
And remember to tailor your email to the interview – avoid sending generic templates.
The best time to send a thank you email after a job interview is generally within 24 hours of the initial interview.
If the interview was late in the day, it’s okay to wait until the next morning to send the email.
Sending the email several days after the interview can make you seem disinterested, whilst sending it immediately after walking out of the room can come across too robotic – you should give yourself some time to collect your thoughts before writing a well-crafted email.
Crafting a thank you letter that balances professionalism and enthusiasm requires a delicate touch.
It’s equally important to maintain a formal tone with proper grammar and respectful language.
A good tip is to keep the focus on the interview and the job itself, highlighting your continued interest in the opportunity.
You can even infuse your enthusiasm by showcasing specific details from the conversation that resonated with you – use action verbs like "excited" or "eager" to convey your desire for the role and explain why the company or project sparks your interest.
The thank you email needs to be a fine balance between showing confidence in your abilities, but not coming across as too desperate for the role.
For example, instead of simply saying you're interested, highlight how your skills and experience would benefit the company.
You can express your genuine excitement about the role and the company's mission by mentioning something you learned during the interview that sparked your interest.
The type of thank you email you write will depend on what kind of company you interviewed with. This first thank you email after an interview example is short and to the point, but it gets the job done.
Hi [person’s name],
It was such a pleasure to meet you today to discuss [role you applied for] at [company name]. The position sounds like exactly the type of job I’m looking for, and I believe my experience in/with [accounts receivable/Java programming/managing a team] would help me thrive in the position.
If there are any additional questions I can answer, please let me know. Thanks again for meeting with me to speak about this exciting opportunity.
Best regards,
[your name]
If you want to distinguish yourself a little more in your thank you email, you might try something like this:
Hello [person’s name],
Thank you so much for meeting with me [insert day] and discussing the exciting job opportunity at [company name].
I’m very interested in the position and believe my [two/five/ten] years’ experience [writing marketing copy/managing a sales team/designing websites] would be valuable as your company [is rebranding/courting new customers].
You mentioned that your team is in the middle of an [expansion/migration to the cloud], and I wanted to offer you a few ideas I think would help [briefly talk about your ideas].
You’ll find some links to my [rebranding work/website redesign] at the bottom of this email.
I look forward to hearing from you about next steps in the interview process and would be happy to answer any other questions you have about my fit for this position.
Best regards,
[your name]
The two thank you email examples above would likely work well for many companies. But if you are applying for a job in a more buttoned-up industry, you might want a slightly different tone.
Dear [insert name],
Thank you for connecting with me today to discuss the job opportunity at [insert company name].
I am very interested in the role and believe my skills would be an excellent match for the position as you described it. With more than [three/seven/fifteen] years of [management/financial accounting/investment banking] experience, I could immediately begin to contribute to your firm as it [transitions/expands/seeks new clients].
On a personal note, I really enjoyed talking to you about [our alma mater/love of basketball/interest in cooking].
I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please don’t hesitate to ask if there are any other questions I can answer about my work experience and how I might contribute to your company.
Best regards,
[your name]
Do I really need to send a thank you email after an interview?
In Canada’s current job market, sending a thank you email after an interview is considered an important professional courtesy, and keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind.
While it technically isn't mandatory, this simple communication can give you an edge over other candidates who skip this step.
For more on how to distinguish yourself from other candidates, check out our Job Search Landscape 2024 guide for Job Seekers.
What mistakes do people make when writing thank you emails after job interviews?
Candidates can sometimes forget to highlight specific moments from the interview to show that you were engaged – this could mean recapping one of your answers or pinpointing a great question you were asked by the interviewer.
The email is also a chance to express your continued interest in the opportunity, so including your enthusiasm in your response is encouraged.
And finally, don’t forget to check that your email has no spelling mistakes or grammar errors – to show your attention to detail.
How soon should I send a thank you email after an interview?
Ideally, you want to send the thank you email within 24 hours after the interview.
What if I interviewed by multiple people? Who do I address the thank you note to?
If you interviewed with multiple people, it's best practice to send separate thank you emails to each person you met with. This shows extra effort and personalization, making a stronger impression.
What if the interview was a bad experience?
Even if the interview wasn't ideal, it's generally still recommended to send a thank you email. A polite thank you letter shows courtesy and professionalism, regardless of the interview experience.
When should I send a follow-up if I don’t hear back?
After sending your initial thank you note after an interview, it's best practice to wait at least one week before following up. This allows the hiring manager time to review applications and make decisions.
Most important is if the interviewer gave you a specific timeframe for next steps (e.g., "We'll be in touch within two weeks"), wait until that timeframe has passed before reaching out.
You can send a follow-up email or even phone the hiring manager but remember that hiring processes can take time, so always keep your communications concise and professional.
The team of professional recruiters at Robert Half Canada can help you with your job search and career goals. Get in touch with us today by submitting your resume to our team.
