Walk into your next interview fully prepared and confident. Covers company research, STAR stories, salary prep, day-of logistics, and post-interview follow-up.
Last updated:
0 of 63 completed0%
Copied!
Research & Preparation
Research the company thoroughly
Go beyond the 'About Us' page. Read recent news, press releases, earnings reports (if public), and employee reviews. Understand their products, competitors, and market position. Mention specific things in your interview to show genuine interest.
Learn the company's mission, values, and culture
Understand their products or services
Read recent news and press releases
Know their main competitors
Analyze the job description in detail
Print the job description and highlight every requirement and responsibility. For each one, prepare a specific example from your experience that demonstrates that skill. This is the foundation of your interview answers.
List every required and preferred qualification
Map your experience to each requirement
Prepare honest answers for any gaps in qualifications
Research your interviewers online
If you know who's interviewing you, check their professional profile. Look for shared connections, backgrounds, or interests. Understanding their role helps you tailor your answers — just be informed, not invasive.
Prepare 5-8 thoughtful questions to ask
Asking good questions shows engagement and helps you evaluate the role. Avoid questions easily answered by Google. Strong questions: What does success look like in the first 90 days? What are the team's biggest challenges right now? How would you describe the team culture?
Questions about the role and day-to-day responsibilities
Questions about team structure and culture
Questions about growth and development opportunities
Practice Your Answers
Prepare STAR stories for behavioral questions
STAR = Situation, Task, Action, Result. Prepare 6-8 stories that cover: leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, failure/learning, a time you exceeded expectations, and a challenge you overcame. Each story can be adapted to multiple questions.
Story about leading a project or team
Story about resolving a conflict or disagreement
Story about a failure and what you learned
Story about overcoming a significant challenge
Story about your proudest professional achievement
Practice answers to common questions
Say your answers out loud — it's different from just thinking them. 'Tell me about yourself' should be a 60-90 second career narrative. 'Why this company?' should reference specific things you admire. 'Why are you leaving?' should never bad-mouth your current employer.
Tell me about yourself (60-90 second pitch)
Why do you want to work here?
Why are you leaving your current role?
What are your greatest strengths?
What is your greatest weakness? (pick a real one you're actively improving)
Research salary range and prepare for negotiation
Use salary comparison tools and job boards to research pay ranges for the role and location. Know your minimum acceptable number and your target. If asked about salary expectations early, try to deflect: 'I'd like to learn more about the role before discussing compensation.'
Research salary ranges for the role and location
Define your target salary and walk-away number
Do a mock interview
Practice with a friend, family member, or career coach. Record yourself on video to spot filler words, fidgeting, and weak answers. Free peer mock interview platforms exist for tech roles — search for practice interview sites.
Logistics & Materials
Update and print your resume
Tailor your resume to this specific role — rearrange bullet points to prioritize relevant experience. Print 5 copies on quality paper. Even for virtual interviews, having your resume in front of you helps you reference specifics.
Tailor resume to match the job description
Print 5 copies on quality paper
Proofread for typos and formatting issues
Prepare a portfolio or work samples (if applicable)
For creative, design, or technical roles, have relevant work samples ready. Prepare a brief explanation of your role and impact for each project. For coding interviews, review your public code repositories and be ready to walk through key projects.
Plan and prepare your outfit
When in doubt, dress one level above the company's dress code. For tech companies, smart casual is usually fine. For finance or law, go business professional. Try on your outfit the day before to check fit and stains. Iron or steam wrinkles.
Choose an appropriate outfit
Clean and iron the outfit
Clean your shoes
Set up for virtual interview (if applicable)
Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection. Choose a clean, well-lit background. Use a hardwired internet connection if possible. Close unnecessary browser tabs and apps. Silence your phone. Have a backup plan (phone hotspot, call-in number).
Test camera, mic, and internet connection
Set up a clean, professional background
Install and test the video conferencing software
Have a backup plan for tech issues
Plan your route and timing (in-person)
Do a test commute at the same time of day. Aim to arrive in the area 15-20 minutes early, then walk in 5 minutes before the scheduled time. Know the parking situation. Have the interviewer's phone number in case you're delayed.
Day-of Checklist
Pack your interview bag
Use a professional bag or portfolio. Include: printed resumes, a notepad, a working pen, your ID (some offices require it), a water bottle, breath mints, and any materials you've been asked to prepare.
Printed resumes (5 copies)
Notepad and pen
Government-issued ID
Printed list of questions to ask
Get in the right mindset
Review your STAR stories and key talking points one more time. Do a power pose for 2 minutes if you're nervous. Remember: they already liked you enough to invite you — the interview is a conversation, not an interrogation.
Arrive on time and be kind to everyone
Be polite to the receptionist, security, and everyone you encounter — interviewers sometimes ask the front desk for their impression. Smile, make eye contact, and give a firm handshake. Turn your phone completely off (not just silent).
During the interview: listen, be specific, be yourself
Listen carefully to each question before answering. Use specific examples and numbers when possible ('I increased sales by 30%' beats 'I improved sales'). It's okay to pause and think. If you don't know something, say so honestly. Show enthusiasm without being over the top.
Close the interview strong
Ask your prepared questions. Ask about next steps and timeline for the decision. Express genuine interest: 'I'm really excited about this role because...' and reference something specific from the conversation. Thank each interviewer by name.
Post-Interview Follow-Up
Write down key details immediately after
Before you forget, jot down: names of interviewers, key topics discussed, questions you were asked, your answers (especially ones you could improve), and any concerns raised. This helps with thank-you notes and future rounds.
Send a thank-you email within 24 hours
Send a personalized email to each interviewer (ask the recruiter for email addresses if needed). Reference something specific you discussed. Reiterate your interest and address any concerns that came up. Keep it concise — 3-4 sentences is enough.
Personalize each email with specific conversation points
Send within 24 hours of the interview
Follow up if you haven't heard back in a week
If the timeline they gave has passed with no response, send a brief follow-up email to the recruiter. One follow-up is fine; more than two starts to feel pushy. Continue applying to other positions — never stop your search while waiting.
Evaluate the opportunity and negotiate if offered
If you receive an offer, take 24-48 hours to review it. Consider: salary, benefits, equity/bonus, PTO, remote policy, growth opportunities, commute, and culture fit. Almost every offer is negotiable — start with salary, then other benefits. Get the final offer in writing before accepting.
Evaluate total compensation (salary + benefits + equity)
Negotiate salary and terms
Get the final offer in writing
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I arrive at a job interview?
Arrive at the building 15 minutes early, but check in at reception only 5-10 minutes before the scheduled time. Arriving too early (20+ minutes) can create awkwardness and signal anxiety to the interviewer. For virtual interviews, log into the platform 3-5 minutes before start time with your camera and audio already tested.
What should I bring to a job interview?
Bring five printed copies of your resume (even for one interviewer — panels happen unexpectedly), a notepad and pen, a list of prepared questions, and a portfolio or work samples if relevant to the role. Store everything in a professional folder or padfolio. Leave your phone on silent in your bag — never on the table.
How long after an interview should I send a thank-you email?
Send a personalized thank-you email within 2-4 hours of the interview ending. Reference a specific topic discussed to demonstrate active listening and reinforce your fit. Hiring managers report that 68% of candidates who skip the thank-you note lose consideration, and handwritten notes are now seen as unnecessarily slow for most industries.
How do I answer the salary expectations question in an interview?
Research the role's market rate on Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Payscale before the interview and prepare a range (not a single number) that spans $10,000-$15,000. Deflect early-stage salary questions by saying 'I'd like to learn more about the full scope of the role first.' In states with pay transparency laws (CA, CO, NY, WA), the employer is required to provide a salary range.
What is the typical interview process length for corporate jobs?
The average hiring process in the US takes 23-28 days from first interview to offer, though tech companies average 35-40 days and startups move faster at 14-21 days. A typical process includes a phone screen (30 minutes), 1-2 virtual rounds (45-60 minutes each), and a final onsite or panel interview (2-4 hours). Expect longer timelines during Q4 holiday season and budget planning periods.