What to Write in a Post-Interview Email

We recently interviewed a candidate who truly stood out following their final interview. After meeting with a panel of four interviewers, they took the time to send personalized thank you notes to each panel member. In every note, the candidate referenced a specific question or insight shared during the interview - it was a 5 star demonstration of attention to detail. Thank you note or not, she would have received an offer, so the level of thoughtfulness was the cherry on top for an incredibly qualified candidate. It wasn’t just about ticking boxes—it showed engagement, professionalism, and the kind of soft skills we look for in a great hire. When it comes to thank you notes, here's a rundown of best practices: Do: - Send your thank-you note within 24 hours. - If you had a panel interview, personalize each message—mention something unique from each conversation. - If you have the hiring manager’s (HM) email, feel free to send the note directly. If you don't, email the recruiter to ask AND include your note to forward in the case they can't provide it. - Use the thank you note as an opportunity to reinforce an area in which you felt wasn't your strongest, or to answer a question you may have not been able to nail in the moment. Don't: - Send a copy-paste thank you note [the two line, generic message that's sent about 90 seconds after an interview doesn't hold a whole lot of weight]. Recruiters and hiring managers, what qualities make a thank you note stand out to you? #recruitmentrevealed

Post-Interview Spiral? Read This. You walked out of the interview… And now your brain is like: 🌀 “Did I talk too much?” 🌀 “Should I follow up?” 🌀 “They said they’d get back to me — is it too soon?” 🌀 “What if they ghost me?” Let me stop you right there. Post-interview anxiety is real. But spiraling won’t get you the job. Strategy might. Here’s what to do instead: ✅ Within 24 hours: Send a real thank-you note. - Not the robotic “Thanks for your time.” - Mention something specific from your convo. - Remind them why you're excited. Leave them with a lasting impression. ✅ Haven’t heard back in 5–7 business days? Follow up. - Not to beg. Not to chase. - Just to check in like the thoughtful, professional human you are. Try something like: “Hi [Name], hope you’re doing well. I’ve been reflecting on our conversation and wanted to check in. I’m still excited about the opportunity and happy to share anything else the team might need. Any updates on next steps?” Clean. Calm. Confident. That’s the energy. ✅ And if they ghost you? That’s not failure. That’s data. It says more about them than it does about you. You didn’t miss out on a job. They missed out on someone who actually gave a damn. You did your part. Now protect your peace, prep for what’s next, and keep moving forward! The next company will be LUCKY to have someone like you on their team. — Follow me, Erica Rivera, CPCC, CPRW, for real-world career strategy, job search sanity, and bold advice that gets you hired—without the burnout.

Think interview "thank you" emails don’t matter? Let me tell you why they're so important... Last week, I interviewed seven candidates for an executive role. Only ONE followed up with an email. And guess what? That person was also our most qualified candidate. But their "thank you" email sealed my vote. Here’s why: 1️⃣ It showed professionalism. They thanked me for my time and highlighted how much they valued our conversation. That’s not just polite, it’s essentially required. 2️⃣ It was personal. They mentioned (and expanded upon) something specific that we discussed during the interview. Shows they're an active listener with attention to detail. 3️⃣ It reinforced their interest. They didn’t just say they wanted this job; they explained why they were excited about joining our team. Genuine enthusiasm stands out. 4️⃣ It demonstrated confidence. They closed with, “I am confident I can bring value and would love another opportunity.” Bold, yet classy. During our exec meeting, we discussed all candidates. When asked who impressed me most, I said, “Only one sent me an email.” That email wasn’t just words—it was strategy. Here’s my advice: → Send that "thank you" email within hours. → Keep your tone professional but warm. → Resurface a specific part of the interview. → Reiterate your excitement and unique value. It’s not about being overly formal or writing an essay. It’s about leaving one last impression. Small actions like this can make a BIG difference. What’s your take? Would you send that email? #interviewtips #jobsearch #opentowork