Thank You Email After a Phone Interview

Unless you have already been in contact with the interviewer, in which case replying to the last message in the existing email thread between the two of you is the way to go, you will need a great subject line. Replying to an existing email works best because it is instantly recognized, opened more quickly than an email from an unknown sender, and will not be mistaken for spam.

In the absence of an existing email, a great subject line is important as it is the first thing the recipient will see and it should interest them enough to open and read your message right away.

For example:

Thank you, [interviewer's name]

Thank you for interviewing with me

It was a pleasure speaking with you today

The recipient of the email, in most cases, will be the person who interviewed you and should be addressed by name. If you are on a first-name basis with the recipient, established in previous communication or during the phone interview, it is acceptable to address them by their first name. If this is not the case or you are unsure, always address them by their last name.

For example:

Dear Ms. Hughes,

Dear Mr. Clarke,

Dear Sean,

In the opening paragraph, refer to the interview as a brief reminder and thank your interviewer for their time. Mention a specific discussion point from the interview, an insight you gained, or something you learned from the interviewer that you found particularly interesting, to underline your interest, enthusiasm, and attentiveness.

For example:

Thank you for taking the time to interview me this morning. It was a pleasure speaking with you and I was particularly excited to learn about [mention something interesting you learned from the interviewer].

After the opening paragraph, reiterate what makes you the right fit for the position. This is your opportunity to showcase yourself again, pulling out the key points that make you the best candidate. However, take care to make it concise, it should not be a lengthy sales pitch but rather the follow-up to one that summarizes your top selling points.

For example:

I am very excited about the prospect of joining [company name] as a [job title] and to [describe how you would add value to the company]. During our call, you mentioned [something about the demands or requirements of the position] and I do believe that I would not only rise to the challenge but excel in my performance, given my [describe specific capabilities/skills/qualities/work experience].

In the last section of your email's body, address the next steps, offer to answer any questions, or provide any additional information the interviewer may still require. Also mention that you look forward to hearing back from them.

For example:

Please advise on the next steps in the hiring process and don't hesitate to contact me should you require any additional information. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sign off with a closing phrase that aligns with the tone and formality of the email and that of prior exchanges. If you are uncertain, always go for a more formal closing phrase.

After the closing phrase, sign with your name and list your contact information, email address, and phone number. While your interviewer can find your contact details on your application and/or CV, it is always good to provide it again to make it easier and quicker for the interviewer to find it.

For example:

Best regards,

Respectfully,

Sincerely,

Best wishes,

[Your name]

[Your contact information]