You’ve just had an interview with a company that you would like to work for.  You are impressed with the company. The IT job is just what you’ve been looking for. But what now?  How do you go forward in the interview process?

Here are 10 simple steps that will help you move smoothly through the process and into your new IT job.

1. Hopefully, you showed enthusiasm for the job and the company in the interview.  It’s important to ask what the next step is after the initial interview, and what their timeframe is.  Managers want to see and hear that you are not only interested but proactive.
2. Immediately follow up with the recruiter or HR manager that arranged your interview. Let them know how you feel the interview went and that you’d like to pursue this opportunity.
3. Promptly prepare a thank you note.  A card with a personal note is preferable, but an email is acceptable – just not sent from your phone!  Don’t forget to mention any important detail that you weren’t able to in the interview. And before sending the card or email make sure to proofread, proofread, proofread!
4. Send the thank you note to the recruiter or human resources professional that introduced you to the opportunity. This is a great tool for them to get feedback and secure the next step for you. If sending via email, make sure the note is sent directly from your email account. An email address with your actual name included is helpful. Unrecognizable email addresses tend to be treated like spam. If the person doesn’t know who the email came from, most likely they’re not going to read it (another reason why a mailed, hand-written note can be more effective).
5. Please don’t expect feedback within the first 24 hours after your interview. Wait two to three days and then feel free to contact the recruiter or manager you are working with. Remember, her job is to fill the position. She won’t forget about you or about following up with the client. But she may need a day or two to prepare for the next step(s).
6. Offer your reference information if it hasn’t been requested at this stage. If you are confident your references will give positive feedback, recommend that someone contact your references as soon as possible. This may seal the deal. A reference might say something about you that will really click with the hiring authority and put you ahead of the competition.
7. Ask your network of contacts to become your personal advocate. If you know someone that works at the company or is connected with the hiring manager, reach out to them and ask them to put in a good word for you.
8. Communicate your job search status. Stay in touch with the recruiter or HR manager and let him know your availability for next steps and other interviews you may have scheduled. Find out where the company is in the hiring process. Don’t neglect to tell him if you will be unavailable during a specific time due to a planned vacation, surgery, or a family commitment.
9. If another opportunity arises during this waiting period, let your recruiter know immediately. This information can be communicated to the hiring manager, and may be helpful in getting a quick decision about whether or not the company is interested in hiring you. In addition, be sure your recruiter knows what your motivators are and where the job with his client ranks in your decision making. If there is mutual interest, he’ll do his best to help the timing work out for you as long as you keep him informed. It goes without saying that at this point, no one likes surprises.
10. Don’t burn bridges.  Like all things in life, you never know what the future holds. Be professional throughout the entire interview process and “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Follow up at all times. Communicate constantly and consistently. Be forthcoming about prior commitments and new opportunities.

If you follow these 10 simple steps, you’ll be high on the list of top IT talent to call the next time that perfect job becomes available.

Tags: Atlanta IT Jobs, Hiring Manager, IT Jobs

This entry was posted on Friday, August 20th, 2010 at 1:28 pm and is filed under IT Job Search, Job Seeker. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.