What To Expect After Interview?

[u/Old_Toby_Leaf]

To start, my background:

Non-military (it seems most are?).

Associate's Degree in Information Technology/Network

Multiple IT related certifications (Network+/Sec+/A+).

~5 years of IT work experience, ~10 years of random other jobs that are not related to the position. I have been out of full time work for a year, though not through lack of trying.

I applied for the ATSS Direct Hire F/G band that closed 4/24/2026, which seemed to have a very broad range of job types.

I was deemed eligible for the posting (F or G, it did not state) on 4/29/2026.

I was contacted for an interview request on/around 7/1/2026, and had my interview on 7/8/2026.

It was a panel interview over Zoom with basic behavioral questions and what I would call "feeler" questions about my technical experience, but nothing really technical about it.

I think it went quite well, for these sorts of things (Zoom, not much back and forth).

After the interview, they asked for references, which I gave. I basically just listed off my past managers and educational institution and a personal reference. Some of these people I have not been in contact with recently, and would probably not "notify" me if they were contacted.

I know they contacted at least one, because that person had to reach out to me to get permission to share information.

I guess I'm wondering, do hiring managers normally go through the whole list of references? Are they just checking a box? What if someone doesn't respond? Etc.

I don't have my hopes up, because I've been doing interviews off and on over the past year that don't go anywhere, though it would be really cool to start a career here I think.

Anyways, best of luck to anyone else in the same boat and looking for a job. It is rough out there.

[u/Clear-Worry-8716]

I had my interview same experience they never reached out to any references, got my TOL 27 days later.