Just sitting idly by the phone isn't going to increase your chances of landing the position -- or making the time go by faster. The following tips will help you manage this crucial phase of your job search.

• Send a follow-up letter. This is a must, regardless of how well or poorly you feel the interview went. Write a brief note to thank the interviewer for his or her time, reiterate your interest in the opportunity and stress key skills or qualifications that would be of particular value for the position. 
  
  
• Update your references. Connect with your professional references and explain the position you're applying for so they're prepared when a hiring manager calls. Always thank references who've agreed to speak on your behalf. 
  
  
• Call after a reasonable interval. If several weeks have passed and you still haven't heard from the company, it's acceptable to contact them. Be professional, polite and brief. Reintroduce yourself and ask if a hiring decision has been made. If a decision has not yet been made, ask about the next steps in the process. If the job was offered to someone else, thank the hiring manager again for the opportunity to meet. 
  
  
• Don't get stuck. You've heard the old expression about not putting all your eggs in one basket. Even if you think the interview was spectacular, continue exploring different possibilities and responding to other job openings.

ACCOUNTEMPS is a specialized temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. Accountemps provides support throughout an accounting department. Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., Accountemps and has more than 270 offices in North America, Europe and Australia. Accountemps' Career Counselor column, a SmartPros staple for over four years, is refreshed twice a month.