Article: Read the invitation all the way through and look for details that lay out how the interview process will proceed. You’ll typically be given an exact time and place to meet, the name of the person conducting the interview, and directions to the location if it’s difficult to find. All these things will be important to know in order to formulate an appropriate response.  Other important considerations like what to wear, where to park, and who to ask for when you enter will also likely be addressed in the body of the invitation. Find out whether the interview will be conducted in person or over the phone. This will make a big difference in the way the rest of your correspondence plays out. If the email came from an individual, referring to them by name is a respectful way of acknowledging them and demonstrates that you’re paying attention. It also takes the guesswork out of composing the salutation—in most cases, it will be sufficient to simply insert the person’s name followed by a comma.  A heading that reads “Ms. Menendez, ...” is far more personable than one like “To whom it may concern.” If no one person is named in the address or signature, it’s okay to use a more general salutation like “Dear Acme Inc. Hiring Coordinator.” . Begin your first line by expressing your gratitude for being granted the opportunity to interview for the position. It’s a small gesture that doesn’t take long, but can make a world of difference. A show of appreciation will set a cordial tone for the rest of your ongoing correspondence and help you get off on the right foot.  Use expressive language to underscore your enthusiasm and keep your reply from coming off as robotic. Instead of saying “thank you for the chance to interview with your company,” try “I was thrilled to receive your email and to think of the unique skills and experience I might bring to CompuTech’s research and development team in the near future.” A little politeness can go a long way. A gracious, well-mannered candidate is more likely to be considered for a position than one who dispenses with common courtesy. After thanking the sender, use the next line to reiterate the information they’ve relayed to you. If they suggest the following Wednesday morning at 10am as the time to meet, for example, you might say something like “Wednesday the 14th at 10am is perfect for me! I’ll be sure to arrange the rest of my schedule accordingly.” The important thing is that you make it clear that everyone is on the same page.  If the date or time proposed doesn’t work for you for some reason, make it a point to let the sender know up front so you can work on finding an opening that’s convenient for both of you. Keep the body of your message brief. Don’t want to take up too much of the recruiter’s time or risk losing their attention. If you’re left with any unanswered questions about what comes next, don’t hesitate to bring them up in the second half of your response. You might not have been told what identifying documents to bring, for instance, or how to obtain a visitor’s badge to gain access to restricted areas. Requesting further information when it’s needed signals to a recruiter that you’re organized and keen to do things the right way.  Try to pose your questions tactfully to avoid making it sound like the sender is at fault for forgetting to mention something. "What's the best way to find your office building from Sunrise Highway?" sounds better than "you never told me how to get there." Ask the sender explicitly to follow up before concluding your message if there’s something pressing you need cleared up. A closing line like "please get back to me at your earliest convenience so I'll know how best to proceed" leaves no confusion about what it is you want the sender to do. At the bottom of the email, sign off with your first and last name, job title or description, and a phone number and email address where you can be reached, along with any other relevant contact info. You can also provide links to any external resources you think the recruiter should have, such as your personal website or LinkedIn profile. Remember, this will be the last thing your contact will see, so it should represent you in a favorable light.  Avoid overloading your signature with filler content, like social media accounts or inspirational quotes. The best signatures are streamlined, informative, and easily readable at a glance.  A simple, well-designed signature might look something like this: Christa Peterson | Senior Marketing Analyst, Taffet Media Corp. | www.taffetmedia.com | 888-723-4968

What is a summary?
Thoroughly read the email for relevant information about the interview. Use the sender’s name in your salutation. Thank the person or company for their interest Confirm the particulars of the interview. Ask for any other pertinent details that you might need. End your response with a professional signature.