Why does the simple phrase looking forward to working with you carry so much weight in interviews, sales calls, and college admissions conversations? This guide explains when to use looking forward to working with you, how to say it authentically, and how to pair it with etiquette and follow-up tactics that actually move the process forward.
Why does saying looking forward to working with you matter in interviews and professional settings
Saying looking forward to working with you signals enthusiasm, confidence, and intent. Interviewers and clients are human — positive language shapes how they remember you and how likely they are to picture you on the team. Using looking forward to working with you communicates three practical things: you understand the role, you want the role, and you can imagine collaborating effectively.
Enthusiasm differentiates you from equally qualified candidates who remain neutral.
Positive statements like looking forward to working with you create favorable memory cues for interviewers.
When paired with specifics, looking forward to working with you reinforces fit and reduces ambiguity about your interest.
Why this matters in practice:
For practical etiquette and timing guidance on follow-up and professional behavior after interviews, reputable resources recommend timely thank-you notes and active follow-up to reinforce interest and professionalism Indeed, Arcadia Career Launchpad.
When should you say looking forward to working with you during the hiring process
At the end of a successful interview to summarize your interest.
In a follow-up thank-you email within 24 hours to reinforce your enthusiasm.
When an interviewer asks if you have any final thoughts — a concise looking forward to working with you can close strongly.
In networking exchanges, where you want to leave the door open for collaboration.
In sales or admissions conversations when you’ve established mutual fit.
Say looking forward to working with you at moments that feel natural and strategic:
Timing tips: send a thank-you within 24 hours and include a brief line that personalizes looking forward to working with you — for example, referencing a project or value you discussed. Resources on interview etiquette emphasize prompt and thoughtful follow-up as a mark of professionalism GCFLearnFree, VWA.
How can you say looking forward to working with you without sounding generic or insincere
The difference between a canned line and a convincing closing often comes down to specificity and tone. Avoid a flat looking forward to working with you by pairing it with concrete context.
Be specific: “I’m looking forward to working with you on the platform migration you described.”
Tie it to a detail: “Given what you said about cross-functional sprints, I’m genuinely looking forward to working with you.”
Use appropriate tone and volume in person; in writing, keep it concise and professional.
Avoid overuse — if you’ve already said it repeatedly, choose a variant (e.g., “I’d love the opportunity to contribute to your team”) and still reference the phrase in follow-up messaging.
How to make it sound genuine:
Practice short, natural lines for different scenarios so that the phrase looking forward to working with you becomes part of a sincere closing rather than a script.
How should you prepare to say looking forward to working with you before an interview
Preparation reduces the risk of sounding rehearsed and makes looking forward to working with you feel earned.
Research the company, team, and the interviewer’s role. Knowing specifics makes saying looking forward to working with you meaningful.
Prepare 2–3 tailored value statements you can reference before you close with looking forward to working with you.
Run mock interviews to practice tone and phrasing so looking forward to working with you lands naturally.
Prepare follow-up content: a thank-you email template that includes a personalized line with looking forward to working with you.
Prep steps:
Good interview prep also covers basics like punctuality and dress code, which boost credibility when you say looking forward to working with you — interview etiquette guides recommend these fundamentals to project confidence and professionalism AllStarz Staffing, Northeastern Graduate Hub.
What professional etiquette supports saying looking forward to working with you
Saying looking forward to working with you is most persuasive when supported by strong professional etiquette. The phrase works because it follows a chain of credible signals.
Arrive on time and be presentable; these signals make looking forward to working with you believable.
Use clear, professional language and avoid slang when you say looking forward to working with you.
Demonstrate active listening during the conversation so the final looking forward to working with you references real content.
Maintain positive body language and eye contact; nonverbal cues make looking forward to working with you feel sincere.
Key etiquette to pair with looking forward to working with you:
For a deeper set of rules around interview etiquette — from attire to communication — consult resources from university career centers and career-advice sites Arcadia Career Launchpad, UNCW Career Center.
What common mistakes happen when people say looking forward to working with you and how do you avoid them
Sounding generic: if the phrase isn’t tied to specifics, it can feel like filler. Avoid this by referencing a concrete point.
Over-enthusiasm: too many enthusiastic statements can read as desperation; balance with competence and calm.
Being insincere: saying looking forward to working with you without having researched the role comes across as hollow.
Timing errors: saying looking forward to working with you prematurely (before mutual fit is clear) may lock you into expectations.
Common pitfalls with looking forward to working with you:
Personalize the phrase with a detail from the discussion.
Match enthusiasm level to the exchange; be warm but measured.
Prepare evidence of fit so that looking forward to working with you is supported by examples.
If rejected or ghosted, follow up politely and ask for feedback rather than repeating looking forward to working with you too soon.
How to avoid these mistakes:
These behavioral and timing recommendations align with standard interview etiquette and professional communication practices described by career centers and hiring guides MSB Resources, NextOne Staffing.
What are actionable examples and templates that include looking forward to working with you
Concrete scripts and email templates help you use looking forward to working with you effectively.
“Thank you for taking the time today. Based on what you shared about the roadmap, I’m looking forward to working with you and contributing to that effort.”
In-person closing:
Subject: Thank you — [Role] interview
Body: Thank you for the conversation today. I enjoyed hearing about [specific project]. I’m looking forward to working with you and hope to contribute [specific skill]. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Short follow-up email (within 24 hours):
“It was great meeting you at [event]. I appreciated your insights on [topic] and I’m looking forward to working with you if an opportunity arises.”
Networking message:
“I appreciated learning about your goals for the program. I’m looking forward to working with you to achieve those outcomes.”
Sales or admissions:
Templates like these make looking forward to working with you feel targeted and sincere. For more examples of email timing and etiquette, see Indeed and GCFLearnFree.
How can Verve AI Copilot Help You With looking forward to working with you
Verve AI Interview Copilot can rehearse and personalize how you say looking forward to working with you in context. Verve AI Interview Copilot offers role-specific practice, real-time feedback on tone, and tailored follow-up templates that include looking forward to working with you. Use Verve AI Interview Copilot to simulate interview closings, refine wording, and generate a professional thank-you email with a natural-looking looking forward to working with you line. Try it at https://vervecopilot.com to practice confidence-building responses and polished follow-ups from anywhere.
What Are the Most Common Questions About looking forward to working with you
Q: When is the best time to say looking forward to working with you
A: End of the interview or in a timely thank-you email within 24 hours
Q: Will using looking forward to working with you make me sound desperate
A: Not if you pair it with specifics and professional tone
Q: Can I write looking forward to working with you in LinkedIn messages
A: Yes — personalize it and reference a shared detail
Q: Is looking forward to working with you appropriate for college interviews
A: Yes — express genuine interest tied to program specifics
Q: How do I avoid sounding rehearsed saying looking forward to working with you
A: Practice natural phrasing and anchor it to a conversation point
(Note: answers are brief, actionable reminders that reinforce timing and personalization.)
How should you follow up after saying looking forward to working with you
Follow-up is where looking forward to working with you converts from a line into an outcome.
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours and include a sentence with looking forward to working with you plus one specific reference.
If you promised additional materials, deliver them promptly and restate that you’re looking forward to working with you.
If you don’t hear back, send a polite check-in after the timeline discussed (or after one to two weeks) and reiterate that you remain looking forward to working with you.
If the answer is no, send a gracious reply thanking them for the opportunity and expressing continued interest in future roles: “Thank you for the update. I appreciate your consideration and remain looking forward to working with you in the future.”
Follow-up checklist:
Career resources emphasize timely follow-up and professional persistence as hallmarks of good interview etiquette Arcadia Career Launchpad, Indeed.
What are final thoughts on using looking forward to working with you as a professional mindset
Treat looking forward to working with you as more than a closing line — it’s a conclusion to a conversation and a promise of future collaboration. When you use looking forward to working with you thoughtfully, you reinforce fit, show respect, and create a memorable final impression. Combine the phrase with research-backed etiquette, timely follow-up, and sincere specificity to increase your chances of turning interest into offers or partnerships.
Personalize every instance of looking forward to working with you.
Back the phrase with examples of how you’ll contribute.
Keep your follow-up prompt and professional.
Maintain relationships even after rejections; saying looking forward to working with you can seed long-term connections.
Final reminders:
Interview etiquette and follow-up guidance from Indeed Indeed
Practical rules for students and recent grads Arcadia Career Launchpad
Broad interview etiquette tips and body language advice AllStarz Staffing
References and further reading:
Use looking forward to working with you as a deliberate part of your communication toolkit — personalized, timely, and sincere — and you’ll find it becomes one of the small phrases that makes a big difference.
