Email versus a handwritten note
An email is almost always the right default given modern hiring timelines, since decisions can move quickly and a physical note risks arriving after a decision has already been made. A handwritten note can be a genuinely thoughtful, memorable extra touch in slower-moving, more traditional, or highly relationship-driven hiring processes, but should generally supplement rather than replace a prompt email.
Timing for each format
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview, while the conversation is still fresh for both you and the interviewer. If also sending a handwritten note, treat it as an additional, delayed touch rather than your primary timely follow-up, given postal delivery times.
What to actually include
Keep it brief and specific: thank them genuinely for their time, reference something specific from the conversation, and reaffirm your interest in the role clearly. Avoid a generic, copy-paste-feeling message, since specificity is what makes a thank-you note or email actually memorable rather than a mere formality.
Get real-time help in your next interview
Live Interview Help listens to your interview and surfaces personalised answers in real time. Free 20-minute trial on Google Meet, Teams, and Zoom.
Install Free on Chrome
Check your CV against the job description first
Free AI-powered CV Match Check scores your CV against any job description: missing keywords, weak impact metrics, and ATS parsing risk, before you even apply.
Check My CV Free
Frequently asked questions
Is sending a thank-you message actually expected, or is it optional?
It is not always strictly required, but it is a low-effort, genuinely appreciated professional courtesy that can meaningfully reinforce a positive impression, so it is worth doing as standard practice after most interviews.
Yes, a brief, individually personalised note to each interviewer, referencing something specific from your conversation with them, is stronger than one generic message sent to the whole group.
A real voice interviewer that questions you, drills into weak spots, and scores your answers, grounded in your actual CV and the job description.
Try a Mock Interview Free