The interview’s over, now you’re hoping to hear back with a job offer. Don’t forget the important step in between – sending a Thank You email. You may think this practice no longer matters, but it could be the difference between being offered a position and being passed over.

Here are a few benefits of sending a follow-up email thanking your interviewers:

Show Off Your Skills

One of the best ways to really let your interviewer(s) see that you know your stuff is to show them. When crafting your Thank You email, don’t be afraid to include links to your:

• LinkedIn profile
• Portfolio/website
• Other social networks

Resolve Any Issues or Concerns

If there were any issues or concerns that were brought up in the interview, sending a follow-up email can help alleviate them.

Make sure you address the concern and offer a solution. This can help you be seen as a problem-solver and that you are able to think critically.

You can also take this chance to provide any further information. For example, if you thought of a great response to a question that was asked – but it didn’t come to you until after the interview was over.

Follow-up Keeps You at the Top of Their Mind

You may know that you really want this job, but it may not have come across that way to the interviewer(s). Writing a Thank You email can not only keep you at the top of their mind but also show them your continued interest in the position.

Develop Rapport and Reconnect

Use the Thank You email to develop rapport and reconnect with your interviewer(s). Make sure to:

• Express your gratitude for their time
• Recap the interview
• Reiterate why you’re the best fit for the job
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills

This can serve as another way for the interviewer(s) to get to know you a little bit better. Hopefully, it also helps you stand out from other applicants.

Sell Your Strengths

As if you can’t already tell, the Thank You email is the perfect way to self-market yourself. If you fumbled at all during the interview or felt you could have answered a topic differently, be sure to address it.

Remind them of your strengths and why you deserve to be part of the team. Go ahead, toot your own horn! Present your skills and achievements by marketing the value you can add to the business.

Crafting a Great Thank You Email

When it comes to putting together a winning thank you email, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Keep it simple. The interviewer(s) won’t want to read a long, drawn-out email. Take some time to write a concise email thanking them, reiterating your strengths, and why you’d be a great asset to the team.
• Address the interviewer by name. If there was more than one interviewer, send a separate Thank You email to each person. Change the email up slightly so that each person gets a unique message.
• Proofread and edit before you hit send. Make sure to read the email from start to finish before you send it. There should be no grammatical errors and double-check everyone’s name and title are spelled correctly.
• Include “Thank You” in the subject line. Also, include either your full name or the position you applied for. This helps ensure the email is opened and read.
• Send it ASAP. Ideally, you want to send the Thank You email within 24 hours of your interview, 48 hours at most.

Need some examples for how to create your Thank You email? Check out some samples to help you make the right impression.