Whether the email subject line is “Interview Request,” “Availability for Interview,” or something similar, you’ve made it to the next phase of your job search: the job interview. In your excitement, you may dash off a quick email to the sender that doesn’t capture your professional side.
Knowing how to respond to a job interview email can help you make a good first impression on the hiring manager and set the stage for you to wow them in the interview.
Tips for Every Response
While the specifics of your email response will vary by situation, there are some general rules to follow no matter what kind of job interview email you’re responding to.
Don’t Wait
Try to respond to the job interview email quickly, preferably no more than 24 hours after receiving it. This demonstrates your interest in the role as well as your professionalism and responsiveness.
But don’t feel you must respond to the email the second it lands in your inbox — especially if it shows up over the weekend or in the middle of the night. It’s OK to stick to boundaries during your job search (like not answering emails on weekends). It’s perfectly acceptable to respond on Monday morning — no later than noon, though.
Expert Tip
Most recruiters have a high volume of vacancies and candidates, so you’re more likely to get the interview if you make it easy for them by responding quickly and being as flexible as possible.
Hit ‘Reply All’ (Yes, Really!)
Responding to a job interview email is one of the rare times you probably want to hit “reply all.”
First, using reply all ensures your email is delivered to the right person. For example, if a recruiter is introducing you to the hiring manager via email and asking the two of you to work out the scheduling details, you don’t want to risk mistyping the hiring manager’s email address.
Second, the person scheduling your interview may not be who you’re interviewing with, but they need to stay in the loop about your interview. Hitting reply all ensures everyone gets the information they need without having to track it down.
Finally, using reply all creates a thread of information about your interview. Keeping all the details together makes it easy for you to refer back to the specifics if and when you need to.
>>MORE: 9 Things to Say in a Job Interview
Greet the Sender
In most cases, it’s acceptable to respond to an email without addressing the sender. However, responding to a job interview email is not one of those cases. The first line of your email response should be, “Dear [Interviewer’s Name].”
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While a bit formal, it’s a personalized touch that demonstrates you read the whole email, know who sent it, and are acknowledging them.
If “Dear” doesn’t feel right to you, “Hello, [Interviewer’s Name],” “Hi, [Interviewer’s Name],” or even, “Nice to meet you, [Interviewer’s Name],” are all acceptable alternatives.
Say Thanks
No matter the email response, starting with gratitude is your best bet. That said, there are many ways to say thank you. Here are a few examples:
- Thanks for reaching out.
- Thanks for inviting me to an interview.
- Thanks for the opportunity to interview for [name the position].
- Thank you for considering me for [name the position].
- Thanks for contacting me about [name the position].
Brief Is Best
You may be excited about the interview and the prospect of working for the company. But no matter how thrilled you are, your response is not the time to talk about your passion for the job, how you connect with the company’s mission, or how qualified you are for the role. Save that for the interview and your job interview thank you email!
Less is more when you respond to a job interview email, so stick with the basics, and you’ll be set.
Stay Professional
On that same note, keep your tone professional. An exclamation point here or there is fine. But your message to the hiring manager shouldn’t include emojis or less formal language (like “cool”), as it’s unlikely to leave a good impression.
If you’re unsure what’s appropriate, follow the sender’s lead. For example, if the email is addressed to your first name, feel free to respond with “Dear [Interviewer First Name].” Likewise, if they address you with a title (Mr. or Ms., let’s say), you should follow suit.
>>MORE: 20 Email Etiquette Tips You Need to Know
Proofread
In your excitement about being selected for an interview and your desire to respond quickly, you may hit send a little too soon. While your email provider may have a grammar checker as part of the program, it might not catch every mistake.
Take your time and give your email a thorough proofread to ensure it’s typo-free.
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How to Respond to a Job Interview Email
There are two types of job interview emails: one that asks you to schedule your interview via email and one that asks you to schedule using an online system. Here’s how to respond to both.
How to Respond to an Interview Request Via Email
Your job interview email has arrived and is asking you to schedule via email. Here’s what to do.
Offer Blocks of Time
Some job interview emails will ask you to respond with dates and times you’re available. Others will give you a few options and ask you to select a day and time that works with your schedule.
In the first case, you can respond with blocks of dates and times you can interview to give the hiring manager options. In the second case, you can either pick the best time for you, or, if none of them work, respond with a few alternatives.
And in the event you aren’t available for a while (say, you have a vacation scheduled or it’s final exam week), let the interviewer know you aren’t available during X time, explain why, then offer some alternatives. Most hiring managers will understand and work with you to find a time that works with your schedule.
Ask Questions
The job interview email is also a good time for you to confirm specific details about the interview. So, if it’s unclear if this is a Zoom interview or in-person. And, if it’s in person, you can double-check where you’re meeting and if you need to bring anything specific to the interview (like your ID to get into the building).
>>MORE: 15 Questions to Ask the Hiring Manager (and 5 to Skip)
Close With Excitement
Close your email with “Looking forward to meeting with you and learning more about the role” or something similar. The idea is to say you’re excited about the interview and everything you will discuss. This is also a good place to mention that if the interviewer needs anything from you before the interview, they should ask away!
How to Respond When the Email says, ‘Click to Schedule’
Many companies use an online scheduling system, so candidates can pick from a range of dates and times that work for them. Simply click the link in the email, select a date and time, hit confirm, and voila! You’re scheduled for an interview.
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And while that streamlines the process, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t respond to the initial message. Here’s how to respond to an interview request with a calendar scheduling link.
Double-Check the Email
First, double-check the email for instructions on how to respond to the sender. In most cases, you can respond to the sender by hitting “reply” or “reply all.” If that’s not the case, you may not be able to send an email directly to them, as some programs mask the sender’s address.
When there’s no way to reply in the scheduling email, you may need to get creative. If you’re scheduled for a virtual interview, you can look at your Zoom interview link for a hiring manager’s email address or you can wait to see if you get a follow-up email with further instructions and information, which may include the sender’s email address.
>>MORE: How to Write a Thank You Email After a Zoom Interview
Leave a Note
Next, head over to the scheduling system and set up your interview. When you hit “schedule,” you’ll likely be taken to a confirmation screen to double-check your time and date. On that screen, you might see a box that allows you to add any relevant information for the interview.
If you see this option, drop a quick thank you note to the interviewer. It could be as simple as, “Thanks for inviting me for an interview. I look forward to meeting with you.”
Respond to the Original Email
Then, go back to the original email (not the confirmation email from the scheduling system). If there’s no way to respond, you’re done. But, if you can reply to the email, hit “reply all” and use the same subject line. Then type a quick note explaining you scheduled the interview and that you’re looking forward to it.
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How to Respond to an Interview Request When You Don’t Want the Job
Sometimes you’re invited for an interview, and you’re no longer interested in the role. Maybe your current job offered you a promotion, or you already accepted another role. No matter why you don’t want the job, here’s how to respond to a job interview email when you don’t want the job.
Say Thanks and Then Explain
Like the other situations, start with “thank you.” In this case, you can say, “Thank you for considering me for the role.” Then, give a quick explanation of why you won’t be interviewing. And that’s all you need to do!
>>MORE: How to End an Email Professionally (With Examples)
How to Respond to a Job Interview Email Examples
Those are the building blocks for responding to a job interview email. Here’s how you put all the pieces together in five different email templates.
Get prepped for your next interview:
- How to Answer: ‘What Motivates You?’ in a Job Interview
- How to Answer: ‘What Are Your Reasons for Leaving a Job?’
- How to Answer: ‘Tell Me About Yourself’
- What Is a ‘Good’ Weakness for a Job Interview?
- Interview Questions, Answered: ‘What Is Your Greatest Strength?’
- How to Answer: ‘Why Are You Applying for This Position?’
- 30 Behavioral Interview Questions for All Careers
- 15 Entry-Level Interview Questions
- Interview Questions, Answered: ‘What Are Your Salary Expectations?’
- How to Use the STAR Method for Interview Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You shouldn’t ghost the employer because you never know when your paths might cross again. Use example five as a template and simply say, “I’m no longer interested in the role,” or “I’m no longer available.”
If you respond to an email and you don’t hear anything after 48 to 72 hours (or the following Monday if that falls on a weekend), then you can follow up with the hiring manager.
In general, yes. The recruiter will want to know if other companies are interested in you. But you are not obligated to mention it.
Yes! That job offer could fall through. It’s better to keep interviewing just in case.
No. If it comes up, it’s fine to discuss. But recruiters and hiring managers generally expect that all candidates are interviewing with other companies.
Exactly like you do for a first interview! Enthusiastically, positively, and quickly!
Image credit: Canva
