A job interview is a conversation you can prepare for. Candidates who research the role, rehearse their stories and plan their questions usually feel calmer and come across more clearly. Use this checklist in the week before your interview.
One week before: research
- Reread the job description. Highlight the key responsibilities and required skills.
- Study the company. Read its website, recent news and social media posts. Understand what it offers, who its customers are and what it values.
- Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn if you know their names, so you understand their roles.
- Confirm the format. Ask the recruiter whether the interview is in person, by phone or on video, how long it will last and whether it includes a test or presentation.
Five days before: prepare your stories
Most interviewers ask behavioral questions such as “Tell me about a time when…” The STAR method helps you answer them clearly:
- Situation: Set the scene in one or two sentences.
- Task: Explain what you needed to achieve.
- Action: Describe what you did, focusing on your own role.
- Result: Share the outcome, ideally with a number, and what you learned.
Here’s an example: “In my last role, our team’s replies to customer emails had slipped to three days (situation). I was asked to bring them under 24 hours (task). I created reply templates for the ten most common questions and set up a daily triage schedule (action). Within a month, we were answering most messages within a day, and customer satisfaction scores improved (result).”
Prepare five to seven stories that show different strengths: solving a problem, working in a team, handling conflict, leading, learning quickly and recovering from a mistake.
Three days before: practice common questions
Rehearse your answers to questions such as:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want this job?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What is a weakness you’re working on?
- Describe a challenge you overcame.
- Why are you leaving your current role?
- Where do you see yourself in a few years?
- Do you have any questions for us?
Practice out loud, ideally with a friend. You can also ask an AI assistant to play the interviewer, as described in our guide to using AI in your job search.
Keep “Tell me about yourself” to about 90 seconds: your current role, one relevant achievement and why this job is your logical next step.
Two days before: prepare your questions
Good questions show genuine interest. Choose three or four, for example:
- What would success look like in this role after six months?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?
- How do you support learning and development?
- How is the team using AI or other new tools in its work?
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
If your interview is on video
- Test your camera, microphone and internet connection.
- Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a tidy background.
- Put your camera at eye level, and look at it when you speak.
- Close other apps and silence notifications.
- Keep a glass of water and a copy of your resume within reach.
The day before
- Plan your route or check your log-in details, and aim to arrive or connect about ten minutes early.
- Choose your outfit. When in doubt, dress one step more formally than the team’s everyday style.
- Print or save copies of your resume and any portfolio pieces.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
On the day
- Greet everyone politely, from the receptionist to the hiring manager.
- Listen carefully, and take a moment to think before you answer.
- If you don’t know something, say so and explain how you would find out.
- Show enthusiasm for the role and the team.
- Ask about next steps before you leave.
After the interview
- Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours. Mention something specific from the conversation and restate your interest.
- Write down the questions you were asked and how you could improve your answers.
- If you haven’t heard back by the date they gave you, send a polite follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive for an interview?
Aim for about ten minutes early. Arriving much earlier can put pressure on your interviewer, so wait nearby if you’re ahead of schedule.
What should I do if I get nervous?
Nerves are normal. Preparation helps most, along with a few slow breaths before you start. It’s fine to pause, take a sip of water or ask the interviewer to repeat a question.
How do I answer questions about salary?
Research typical pay for the role in your area using resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook and recent job postings, many of which now list pay ranges. Share a realistic range based on that research.
Before your next application goes out, make sure your resume is ready with our ATS-friendly resume guide.
