Interviews · 4 min read
Interview prep checklist
Good interviews are mostly won before you walk in, not by memorising answers, but by doing the homework that lets you be calm and specific on the day. This checklist covers what to sort beforehand, what to have ready, and what to do on the day, so nothing is left to the last minute.
A few days before
- Re-read the job ad and note the few things the role really needs
- Research the company: what they do, who their customers are, any recent news
- Prepare two or three stories that show your strongest, most relevant work
- Write down three good questions to ask them
- Check the logistics: time, place or link, and who you are meeting
Prepare stories, not scripts
You cannot predict every question, but most behavioural ones come down to a handful of stories about your real work. Have two or three ready that show what they are looking for, with a situation, what you did, and the result. Know them well enough to tell them naturally rather than recite them.
The day before
- Confirm the time, place or video link, and test your setup if it is remote
- Lay out what you will wear, and plan to arrive or log in early
- Re-read your own resume so you can speak to anything on it
- Get a good night of sleep: it beats one more hour of cramming
Have your questions ready
The questions you ask say as much as the answers you give. Have a few genuine ones about the role, the team or the work, beyond pay and hours. It shows you have thought about the job, and it helps you work out whether you actually want it.
- What does success look like in the first six months
- What does the team do well, and what is it working on
- Why is the role open
On the day
Arrive or log in a few minutes early, take a breath, and remember it is a conversation, not an interrogation. You are also deciding whether they are right for you. Listen, be specific, and it is completely fine to take a moment to think before you answer.
The short version
Do the homework a few days out, prepare a handful of real stories rather than scripts, sort the logistics the day before, and bring genuine questions. Preparation is what lets you stay calm and specific when it counts.