03/27/19

How To Craft a Follow-Up Email After an Interview

Dog sitting next to man writing an email

Knowing how to follow up on a job interview or application can be almost as important as sending out your initial application. Apart from making yourself stand out during the interview process, following up afterwards can also demonstrate that:

  • You’re a self-starter
  • You’re effective at written communication
  • You’re capable of forging amicable relationships amid uncertainty

Writing an effective follow-up email after an interview can be tricky. Because even though you’re somewhat of an expert on the subject, it’s almost always tough to write about yourself. Examining an effective interview follow-up email sample can keep your own follow-up emails headed in the right direction.

Why Should You Send a Follow-Up Email After an Interview?

Writing a follow-up email after an interview is often -- but not always -- a good idea. When appropriate, a follow-up email can:

  • Help you express enthusiasm for the position
  • Help you build a personal relationship with the interviewer
  • Help you communicate something about your character.

What To Do First When Writing a Follow Up Email

Creating your own template for a follow-up email after an interview is quite simple. Your ultimate purpose is to better explain how you’re a great fit for the position in question. To that effect, whatever you say should demonstrate your value.

While you will likely customize each interview follow-up email based on your interview itself and the company and people you’re interviewing with, having a templated approach in place can make it easier to craft a meaningful email.

Additionally, the most effective follow-up emails are personalized. Ask yourself, what kind of connections did you make in the interview? Did you discover any mutual interests? A brief reference to that kind of information serves as evidence that you’re an attentive and engaged listener. It makes it easier for an employer to see you as part of the team.

Follow-up emails are also a good place to slip-in information you didn’t get to bring up during your interview, or give your prospective employer updates in the time since you’ve spoken. For example, it’s an excellent chance to share a link to your professional portfolio. If you don’t have one yet, learning how to create a professional portfolio can be useful for nearly any career. 

Writing an Effective Subject Line

If you don’t want your follow up email after your interview to be mistaken as spam or otherwise overlooked, it’s a good idea to use an attention-grabbing subject line. Something simple, like “regarding my application,” or “thank you for meeting today” is best because it’s direct and to the point.

However, using a leading question in the subject line can be useful for engaging a particularly busy person. Again, it can be as simple as “do you need anything else?” or “checking for updates on the job position.”

Generally, keep your interview follow-up email short. It should consist of only two or three paragraphs -- long enough to hit essential points and short enough to read in a minute or two. And similar to everything important you write, be sure to proofread your email or you can end up sending the wrong signals.

Job Interview Follow-Up Email Sample

For example, suppose you were applying for a job in the insurance industry, and were applying for an agent position. Your follow-up message could be used to highlight how your skills overlapped with the skills required for that position. It might look like this:

Hi John,

I wanted to thank you for meeting with me earlier today. I enjoyed our conversation about operations and it reminded me of a project I recently completed that related to the customer service skills we were talking about.

I’ve included a blurb about the project in my portfolio and have attached a link here. I’ve also included a link to that research article we talked about during our discussion. I hope it’s useful to you and that we have the chance to speak again.

Thanks again for taking time out of your day to meet with me. Please let me know if there’s anything more you need.

Best wishes,

Susan Applicant

MyPath’s Top Tips

Below are a few of our quick tips for things to remember when composing your follow-up email after a job interview or internship interview.

Thank The Interviewer for His/Her Time

Thank-you notes will further personalize your message. In addition to being gracious, these notes help set the tone of your post-interview follow-up email while investing in your reader.

Highlight Why You’d Be a Good Fit for the Position

Your interviewer may or may not remember every detail of your interaction. Your follow-up email can help refresh their memory by highlighting one of the most pertinent reasons why you’d be a great fit for the position.

Grace in Defeat

Writing a tactful email can help you maintain a healthy personal and professional relationship with your contact. Whether or not you end up with the job, you’ll can always succeed in expanding your professional network, which may lay the groundwork for future employment.

Not quite past the interview just yet? If you're still not certain what kind of careers are, consider checking out MyPath’s Career Wizard Tool to see where your talents could be used in insurance.