Second interviews are sometimes more complicated than the first ones. While first interviews are primarily about screening the applicants, getting a call for a second interview suggests that you have made it through the first round and are being seriously considered for the position.
Hence, second interviews are more about answering behavioral questions and offering the employers a closer insight into your skills and abilities. Whether you make it through the second round or not, getting a call in and of itself is an achievement.
Sending a thank you email to your recruiters after attending the second interview is a good idea. It shows that you are interested in the position and have not taken the interview lightly.
You can use this opportunity to reinstate the favorable impression the hiring managers had of you for the first time. It will further cement their belief in you, and this small gesture can go a long way in creating a good rapport if you finally join the company.
Writing a thank you email after the second interview can sometimes be complex as it may feel like you have already said everything. However, there are ways in which you can make the email effective and make it work to your advantage.
Why is Following Up After the Second Interview Important?
Sending a thank you email can be a way of following up after your second interview. Writing a personalized note means your recruiters will notice the time and effort you have put into doing the right thing.
It will show your interest in the position, and you can also clarify any doubts you may have had after the second round.
Also, just in case you have managed to form any new contacts or received any pending certifications in the meantime, this would be an excellent opportunity to tell your recruiters about it.
Who Should You Send the Thank You Email?
There is usually more than one person on the panel during the second interview. And the panel is mainly comprised of senior members of the organization or the HR team. While it might be tempting to write one email and send it to everyone by including them in the “CC,” try not to do that.
Instead, write a separate email for everyone on the panel, and it would greatly help if you knew all their names and designations. That would show that you had taken the time and effort to find out as much as possible about the company and the team members.
While the gist of the email can be the same for everyone, personalize it to ensure that you have included something from your interaction with each of them. That will help you create an excellent impression on every panel member who will find you have retained details from the interview while interacting with each of them.
However, make sure your tone is polite and professional. Although it was your second round, you hadn’t received the job offer, and trying to be too personal at this point might not be a good idea.
What Can You Include in the Thank You Email After the Second Interview?
While a line or two expressing your gratitude for being considered for a second round would be enough, you can do better. Here are some things you may include in your email.
1. Reiterating Why You are the Best Candidate
While you may have spoken about this before, reiterating why you are the best candidate for the job is important because now you would be competing among the better-performing candidates.
Remind your hiring managers why you would be an asset to the organization if chosen. Just as you are hoping to land the job, so are the other candidates, and they will do everything to highlight their candidacy.
But while they might not all think of sending you thank you email, you should do so and use this advantage.
2. Talk About Your Interest in the Position
You have already expressed your interest in working for the organization by first applying for the job in the said company and, second, by already expressing your interest in the first round.
However, the thank you email after the second interview can give you a whole new opportunity. You can mention something unique during the interview and say how it further increased your eagerness to work for the company.
Writing about something specific during the interview will make them think about the entire interaction and unconsciously make them remember the other unique aspects. That will be a huge factor when they make the final call. It will also set you apart from the other candidates.
3. Provide More Information
It is essential to let your employers know that you are ready to provide more information if they need it. After all, recruiters also have to deal with many candidates, and they could have missed something.
When you tell them you are available to provide additional details, they may ask you something that could help them make the final decision.
You can also ask for a status update and request them to let you know when the decision is made.
4. How Long Should the Thank You Email be After the Second Interview, and When Should You Send it?
Since you have already interacted a couple of times by the time you have appeared for your second interview, you should ideally keep the thank you email short. Be brief while writing about how you feel or frame any questions you may have in a precise manner. Ideally, a thank you email should not be over 200 words. If your email is too long, the recipient might skim through it without reading it correctly.
Try to send the email the next day after you have appeared for the second interview. If your interview was conducted on Friday, send the email by 6:00 pm the same day so that you do not have to wait through the weekend to send it.
Samples of Thank You Email After Second Interview
Here are some samples for sending a thank you note after the second interview. You can customize them depending on the position you applied for.
Sample 1
Hello (Name of the Recruiter)
Thank you for considering me for the second interview round for the position of (name of the designation) at (name of the organization).
I learned much from our interaction that day, making me even more eager to become a part of your company. What you said about (mention something from the interview) gave me a new insight into your work culture.
I think my previous work experience and skills match your requirements, and it is a job that I also feel very passionate about. Please feel free to get in touch if you want to know something else. I look forward to hearing from you again.
Thank you
(Your name)
Sample 2
Hi (name of the recruiter)
It was a pleasure talking to you yesterday. I just wanted to thank you for considering me for a second interview for the position of (name of the designation) at (name of the organization).
I can contribute significantly to the company’s growth because of (talk about your strengths relevant to the position).
What you said about (mention some crucial points from the interview) has made me even more interested in the position.
I hope you are having a good day.
Thank you
(Your name)
Sample 3
Hi (name of the recruiter)
Thank you for considering me for the second round interview for the position of (name of the designation) at (name of the organization). I truly enjoyed the insightful discussion.
I am most interested in the position myself as I consider I have the necessary skills to (talk about how your skills can benefit the company).
Also, I loved the vibe in your workplace when I visited the premises for the interview, and it has made me even more eager to become a part of the team.
Feel free to contact me if you need any more details.
Thank you
(Your name)
Sample 4
Hello (name of the recruiter),
I hope you are having a good day. I wanted to thank you for asking me to come in for a second round of interviews for the position of (name of the designation) at (name of the organization). I feel very confident about the position because I have gained enough experience, which I know will help me do well.
I have the necessary skills to qualify for the job and hope to learn even more. I am eager to work with the organization. What you said about (bringing up a point from the discussion) has made me look forward to becoming a part of the organization.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you need any more information.
Thank you
(Your name)
Conclusion
Getting invited for a second-round interview is heartbreaking because it indicates that your hiring managers are considering you for the post.
However, you have also been pitted against some of the best candidates, and you have to do all you can to create a long-lasting impression on your hiring managers.
Sending a thank you email suggests that the interview and the position are still on your mind. You have been thinking about it and are hopeful about the job.
Sometimes, many candidates try to give the impression that they are not too eager for fear of becoming too dependent on this job. They don’t want recruiters to feel that they do not have any offers.
However, a thank you email hits the right note. You can express your interest without seeming too desperate, which is a great way to promote interaction with your recruiters.
