If you think applying for a job ends at the conclusion of an interview, think again. How you follow-up after interviewing - or if you neglect to do so entirely - can end up being the deciding factor in whether or not you're offered the position. In today's increasingly digital world, however, determining the ideal way to follow-up can be challenging.

Below are some tips for following up after a job interview in the IT field: 

Write down your thoughts immediately following your interview. After your interview, take the time to jot down things that stood out to you, including any questions you might have. Additionally, be sure to write down the names of each person you interviewed with so that you can later personalize a thank you message. 

Forego the handwritten thank-you note. It might go against everything you were taught growing up, but in the tech industry, sending a traditional thank-you card could indicate that you're not keeping up with the times. People in the tech industry tend to embrace technology, so avoid appearing outdated by sending a thoughtful email instead. 

Don't delay the follow-up. Be sure to send your email out that afternoon or, at the very latest, the morning following your interview. You want your interview to be fresh in the hiring manager's mind when she reads your email. 

Be concise. Hiring managers don't want to read an essay about why you want to work for their company. Four paragraphs maximum - or about half a page in length - is a good rule-of-thumb for a thank-you email. 

Personalize the message. Generic thank-you emails aren't going to help you stand out from the pack. Refer to those notes you wrote down following your interview when composing your message. Begin the email with a thank you, then be sure to mention a specific topic from the interview. That way, the hiring manager can know that you were listening and engaged in the interviewing process. Conclude by restating your interest in the position and reminding the manager why you're a good fit for the role. 

Follow-up again. Often there's a fine line between persistence and being annoying, and you want to avoid the latter. However, if you don't hear back after your initial email, it's a good idea to follow-up again - but only after a minimum of 10 to 14 days have passed. 

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