How to Write the Perfect Thank You Email for an Informational Interview

How to Write the Perfect Thank You Email for an Informational Interview

If you are looking to land your dream job, an informational interview can be the first step towards achieving your goal. An informational interview is an opportunity to meet with someone in your desired industry or profession for an informal conversation about their career path, experiences, and insights.

However, the success of an informational interview doesn’t end when the meeting is over. It’s essential to follow up with a professional thank-you email to show your gratitude, further connect with the interviewee and leave a lasting impression. In this article, we’ll provide you with tips on crafting the perfect thank-you email.

1. Start with a Thank You

The first sentence of your email should start with a genuine thank you for their time and willingness to speak with you. Make sure you address them by their name and include specific details about the conversation, such as discussing their job responsibilities, challenges, industry, or their path to success. This shows that you were actively paying attention and interested in what they had to say.

2. Personalize the Email

Try to personalize your email rather than using a generic or standard template. Refer to specific topics, insights, or advice that the interviewee shared during the conversation. Personalizing your email can reinforce your interest in the industry or position while emphasizing how their advice and experience resonated with you.

3. Highlight a Key Takeaway or a Follow-Up Point

In your second paragraph, highlight a key takeaway or follow-up point from the conversation. It could be something you found particularly intriguing, a piece of advice that you would like to act on, or a connection that you would like to follow up with. This shows that you were invested in the conversation and that it wasn’t just a casual chat.

4. Reinforce Your Interest and Expertise

Conclude your email by expressing your continued interest in the company or industry and reinforcing how your skills and expertise align with their goals. Share additional insight that you have about the industry or position that may have come up in the conversation or was not covered yet. This can provide them with additional value and make you stand out as a candidate.

Example:

Dear [Interviewee’s Name],

I appreciate the time you took to speak with me yesterday about your experience working as a [Position] in the [Industry]. I found our conversation to be incredibly insightful and enjoyed hearing about your journey and challenges that you faced throughout your career.

One particular piece of advice that stood out for me was when you mentioned [specific advice or insight gained]. I found this to be incredibly useful, and I will definitely be implementing this into my job search.

I also wanted to mention that I appreciate the insight you provided regarding the [company’s goals, initiatives, or challenges]. As I further research the company and industry, I would love to stay in touch and possibly collaborate in the future.

Again, thank you for your generosity and willingness to share your expertise. I look forward to keeping in touch and seeing where this connection may lead.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

By following these tips, you can craft a well thought out thank-you email that shows the interviewee how much you appreciate their time, knowledge, and insights. It also underlines your professionalism, enthusiasm, and commitment to pursuing your career goals. Remember, a thank-you email can go a long way in creating long-lasting and fruitful professional relationships.

Speech tips:

Please note that any statements involving politics will not be approved.