How to Prepare for a Job Interview: A Step-by-Step Checklist
7 min read
Confidence in an interview comes from preparation, not personality. If you do the work beforehand, you will feel calmer and answer better. Here is a checklist that covers the days before, the morning of, and the final hour.
In the days before
- Research the company: what they do, recent news, their products, and their competitors.
- Re-read the job ad and list the top skills it asks for.
- Prepare a STAR story for each of those skills.
- Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn so names and roles feel familiar.
- Prepare three questions to ask them.
Practise out loud
Reading answers in your head is not the same as saying them. Rehearse aloud — ideally with a friend or your phone recording — until your key stories come out smoothly and within about ninety seconds each. You are aiming for natural, not memorised.
Sort the logistics
- In person: plan your route, aim to arrive 10 minutes early, and lay out your outfit the night before.
- Video: test your camera, microphone, and link in advance; sit with light in front of you, not behind.
- Have a printed or on-screen copy of your resume and the job ad within reach.
- Silence notifications and close other tabs and apps.
The final hour
Stop cramming. Re-read your own resume and your STAR stories once, then do something calming. Arrive (or log on) a few minutes early, take a slow breath, and remember: they invited you because they already think you might be right. The interview is a conversation, not an interrogation.
Right after
Jot down the questions you were asked and anything you want to follow up on. Then send a short thank-you note within 24 hours — it is a small thing that leaves a strong impression.
Ready to put this into practice?
Browse thousands of open roles and apply in minutes.