I am a 21-year-old female and about to start my career. After weeks of job seeking, I was able to secure two interviews.
I haven’t heard from one of them in four days, and the other has not replied for two days. I could be overthinking, but I am desperate to hear from them.
When to send thank you email after interview? Should I even send mail? Will sending the thank you mail help my case after the interview?
I have jitters all over, and I am confused. Please help me…
Hopefully, by the time I gather a few experiences from netizens and answer your question, you will get a reply from your interviewer.
If not, then here is your best time to send an email to your interviewer.
Contents
The Purpose of Sending a Thank You Letter
It can all be very stressful, from preparing for a job interview to making a good impression and facing tough questions. But many job seekers often forget one crucial step in the process – sending a thank you letter after the interview.
So, I am glad you are asking these questions!
The significance of a thank you email is enormous in the eyes of employers.
Yes, those few written words can make a great impression after your interview!
It is a common courtesy and reflects your professionalism and interest in the job. Indeed, as CareerBuilder states, 22% of hiring managers are less inclined to hire a candidate who sends no thank you note following an interview. (Source)
A well-written thank you email can make a difference between yourself and other applicants. Most importantly, creating an impression that will benefit you in the long run. It shows gratitude for their time and consideration and offers the opportunity to reaffirm that you are best suited to that role.
In addition to this, sending a thank you letter helps maintain rapport with the interviewer following the meeting. It suggests that you appreciate their opinion and are willing to stay in touch during the hiring process.
Why Send a Thank You Letter
Are you still hesitant about whether you should be sending a thank you letter?
Here are the benefits of sending one (…as opposed to not sending one).
But beyond just being polite or wanting to make a good impression, there are several other reasons why sending a thank-you email is crucial:
Reinforces Your Interest: This is a polite reply to an email to thank you for your continued interest in the post and organization. This can convince prospective employers that you are in for this opportunity and that your passion is for working with their group or working with your coworker.
Provides an Opportunity to Address Any Concerns: This is an opportunity for you to mention areas where your performance needs improvement. You can utilize this as another opportunity to display your knowledge and skills by responding to any issues discussed during the interview. Probably a question which you couldn’t answer then!
Keeps You Fresh in Their Minds: Managers may struggle to recall all the candidates after several interviews. Sending a thank you email reminds them of your name and qualifications so that it is easier for them to remember about you while making the final decision.
It is a tactical decision that could make you stand out from the rivalry and increase your probability of employment. In the following sections, we will answer when to send thank you email after interview.
When To Send Thank You Email After Interview – 7 Best Time
First, many applicants do not know how long to wait before sending a thank you email after an interview.
Should it be sent immediately?
Should one wait a day or two?
Let’s focus more on the timeframe for saying a thank you email after an interview.
First, consider the job type and company you are interviewing for. In a quickly moving industry such as sales or marketing, you must immediately send a thank you e-mail. This demonstrates your ability to be proactive and work well in a pressured environment. However, if it is intended for a more traditional or corporate position, waiting until the next business day may be better.
The other factor you should consider is the time spent arranging for this interview to take place. If there was a long gap between scheduling and performing the interview, sending a prompt thank-you email would be best. It indicates your interest in the position, even if it may take some time.
The perfect timeline to send a thank-you email after an interview varies from job to job. It depends on many aspects, such as the kind of work, company culture, and individual opinion.
1. Following the 24-hour rule
As the modern world is very active and demands haste, instant information transferring takes place with no chance of being easily neglected. Tradition no longer has special value in our contemporary society.
We are all in such speedy pursuit of deadlines that we do not consider courtesies like a thank you email.
But when sending a thank-you mail after an interview, relying on the old faithful 24-hour rule could be your golden ticket.
This method is based on a simple principle—send your thank you email to the hiring manager one day after an interview. Such a time range lets you catch the interviewer’s attention while he can follow his thinking and reflect upon your meeting.
2. Based on the interviewer’s response time
Another good way to know when to send thank you email after interview is by watching how quickly they respond. This method entails observing the interviewer’s response time to your emails or messages.
To begin with, it is important to state that the response time varies across different companies and hiring managers. While some might be fast in their responses, others may take considerable time because they are engaged.
Therefore, it is important not to generalize from a single experience but to monitor and measure several communications with the interviewer.
Another way is to check how long the interviewer takes to respond by marking reminders or alerts for any communication. These include emails, phone calls, or any other type of correspondence. With this, you will also have a definite log of when you did and they replied.
3. Looking at the hiring process and timeline of this organization
Listen to any deadlines during the interview or in the job posting.
Did they give you a definite timeframe?
Any indication when you should hear from them?
For instance, if they state the need to fill the position in two weeks, writing a thank-you email within this time will meet their needs. Alternatively, suppose they did not mention a specific deadline but were informed about meeting other candidates next week. In that case, waiting for them to complete the other interviews is better.
It is also important to mention other factors influencing their selection and timeline. For example, they may have a longer hiring process if it is the peak season for their industry or the holiday season. In such scenarios, waiting for some time before sending out a follow-up mail would make sense.
Communication from the company after an interview is another essential part of this approach.
Knowing the company’s hiring process and time frame is a way to learn when to send thank you email after interview.
This comprehensive research and focus on crucial details will help you improve your chances of leaving a good impression compared to other applicants.
4. Using your own instinct and gut feeling
Sometimes, there is nothing more definite than your instincts!
Although their way to determine the best time is to send an email with thanks right after the interview, our intuition and gut feeling can make this task much easier. In the end, no one knows you better than yourself.
Think back over your overall experience conducting the interview.
Did it go smoothly?
Did you observe any red flags or signs that suggest your failure?
What was the interviewer’s reaction to your answers and gestures?
As you answer these questions, pay attention to any emotions or feelings that may surface during the reflection.
People do not appreciate the power of their intuition enough, but it can be a good friend in such important times. This also applies to finding out when to send thank you email after interview.
5. Requesting feedback during the interview
The interview process is not only a time for the employee to get familiar with you but also an opportunity to decide the company’s suitability. Also, asking for feedback is one of the ways to utilize this process and get valuable insights.
Sometimes, we are so desperate to hear the answer from the other end that we do not ask,
Is the company right for me?
Here are some tips on how you can ask for feedback –
Ask open-ended questions: Instead of using yes or no questions, ask open-ended questions requiring the interviewer to give long answers. For instance, you can change the question and ask,
“Where do you find that I answered your question adequately?”
Be specific: Do not ask generic questions such as “How am I doing?” or “Do you have any feedback for me?” Rather, provide details of what you would prefer from their feedback. This will show your interest and allow the interviewer to provide more specific and useful answers.
Use active listening:
- Receiving feedback, listen actively, and note down all the points.
- Do not become defensive or make excuses.
- Do not neglect positive or negative feedback because both forms of insight into one’s performance are useful.
6. Consider the Interview Schedule
The interview schedule is one of the first aspects you should consider when sending a thank you email after the interview. In case you had an early morning interview, sending your email within 24 hours following the meeting would be beneficial. This indicates that you are responsive and eager to fill the position.
Alternatively, if your interview was in the afternoon or during late-day shifts, waiting until the next day is probably advisable. This makes you pause to think about the dialogue between yourself and the interviewer.
This is important to send a meaningful message through your email!
7. Consider Personal Preferences
Aside from external factors like the logic of scheduling or corporate culture, it is important to evaluate any preferences from the interviewer during or after the chat.
For instance, if they mention an important official commitment or a business trip, it would be better to send a thank-you letter before departure. This would prevent your message from drowning in an ocean of emails while they are gone.
How To Write a Good Thank You Email After an Interview
Now that we understand when to send thank you email after interview, let’s look at some tips for crafting an effective thank-you email:
– Make it brief and direct. A thank you email should not be longer than a couple of paragraphs. Your novella will not manage to secure your future post.
– Add a personal element to your message by referring to points from the interview. These could be topics discussed or the kind of questions they asked you.
– Be positive and show gratitude for the interviewer’s time and a chance at this role.
– Be sure to proofread carefully before hitting send – details matter!
Although it may be old school, waiting one day to send a thank-you email after an interview is sometimes appropriate in today’s rapidly changing world. It shows timeliness, keeps you in their minds, and allows further contact.
Calm Down & Take A Deep Breath!
After an interview, it is common to get anxious and constantly ponder over your mistakes. Nevertheless, spending time on these feelings can be detrimental, and in the end, you might still not have the job.
Maintaining your sanity is very important during this time, and here is how you can do so:
Reflect on the Interview
The first step towards preventing anxiety after a job interview is to think about the process.
What questions were asked, and how did you answer them?
Were there any points that you should have covered?
This reflection will also allow you to assess your work objectively. Most importantly, it will prepare you better for your next interview.
However, do remember the difference between reflecting and overthinking. If any of your “reflection” makes you anxious, you should give it a pause.
Keep Yourself Busy
Rather than fixating on the interview, distract yourself with other activities. Take up hobbies or visit friends and family.
Avoid Over-Analyzing
We have the habit of replicating every word we say in an interview inside our heads and then start critiquing ourselves.
This may cause undue stress and self-doubt. Remember that even nerves can impact our performance when being interviewed; do not presume you are to blame for minor mistakes.
Practice Mindfulness
The application of mindfulness techniques like deep breathing exercises or meditation may also help one relax after a job interview to alleviate the associated feelings of anxiety. Such approaches may restore your focus and mellow down the mind.
Distract Yourself with Positive Thoughts
You may want to instead engage in positive affirmations or visualizations when your mind tends to drift towards negative thoughts. Convince yourself of your qualifications and picture receiving that phone call offering you the job.
Seek Support from Friends or Family
Sharing your feelings with a close one works as therapy when you suffer from anxiety after an interview. Share your experience with a caring friend or family member and ask for their support and encouragement.
Keep Yourself Informed
Yet another way to prevent the feeling of anxiety after a job interview is always knowing what happens next regarding hiring. This will make you feel more in control and eliminate any feeling of the unknown.
Being anxious after a job interview is normal, but it should not take over you. Through applying these proven methods, you will learn to control your anxiety with positive waiting for the interview results.
There is no set rule on when to send thank you email after interview. However, with these approaches, you can improve your odds of sending prompt and purposeful thank-you emails. Overall, helping to leave a mark on potential employers’ minds in a positive way.
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