Do I need to thank every interviewer?

If you met several people, send each a short, slightly different message. If it was a panel and you have one contact, thank that person and ask them to pass it on.

Is a handwritten note better?

Email is faster and normal. Hiring decisions are often made in days, so a post card may arrive too late.

What if I do not have the interviewer's email?

Send the message to the recruiter or contact who arranged the interview and ask them to forward it.

How to follow up after an interview (with an email template)

Last updated 7 November 2026

A short thank-you message the same day is one of the easiest ways to leave a good last impression. It reminds the interviewer who you are, lets you add one thing you forgot and shows that you are polite and organised. It will not rescue a weak interview, but it can help in a close decision.

Send a thank-you within 24 hours

Email is normal. Address the person by name, thank them for their time, mention one specific thing from the conversation, restate in one sentence why you fit, and close politely. Keep it under 120 words and check the spelling of names.

A template you can adapt

Subject: Thank you, [your name], [job title] interview

Message

Dear [name], thank you for speaking with me today about the [job title] role. I enjoyed hearing about [one specific thing, for example how the team ships every two weeks]. It made me even more interested, because [one sentence connecting it to your experience]. If it would help, I can send [a sample, a link, a clarification]. I look forward to hearing about the next steps. Kind regards, [your name].

If you forgot something

Add it briefly to the same message: one new fact or example, not a second interview. For instance, "I did not mention that I also built a reporting tool for my last project, which is relevant to the data work you described."

When and how to check in

If the interviewer gave a date, wait until it has passed by two working days. If they did not, wait about a week. Send one polite message asking whether there is any update and restating your interest. Do not send a message every day; two follow-ups are the limit.

If you are rejected

Reply with thanks and ask for feedback if you wish. Many employers do not give it, but some do, and a gracious reply keeps the door open for the next role.

Two other situations

After a short phone or online screening, a two-line message is enough: thank them, say you enjoyed the conversation and that you are happy to answer any further questions. After a panel, write to each person if you have their address; change one sentence in each message so they do not look copied.

What to avoid

Do not repeat your whole pitch, ask where you rank against other candidates, argue with a point from the interview, or send many messages in a few days. Do not use slang or emojis, and do not attach files nobody asked for. Polite, short and specific is the standard to aim for.

Practise this out loud, free

Take a live AI mock interview with questions built from your resume and the job description, then read a feedback report on what you said and how you said it.

Start a free mock interview

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to thank every interviewer?: If you met several people, send each a short, slightly different message. If it was a panel and you have one contact, thank that person and ask them to pass it on.
Is a handwritten note better?: Email is faster and normal. Hiring decisions are often made in days, so a post card may arrive too late.
What if I do not have the interviewer's email?: Send the message to the recruiter or contact who arranged the interview and ask them to forward it.