Most interviews are decided by preparation, not by personality. Candidates who get offers have usually done three things: they understand the business, they have specific stories ready, and they have good questions. Here is a checklist you can work through before your next interview.
The week before
- Study the company. Read the website, recent news and press releases, and the LinkedIn pages of the people you will meet. Know what they sell, who they sell to and what is changing for them.
- Reread the job description. Highlight the five things the role most needs. Those are what the interviewers will probe.
- Match a story to each one. For every highlighted need, prepare a short example from your experience: the situation, what you did and the result. Numbers help.
- Prepare for the hard questions. Why are you leaving? Why the gap? What is your biggest weakness? Practice short, honest answers that end on a positive note.
- Know your number. Decide what pay would make this move worth it, so you are not deciding on the spot. Our salary benchmarks article explains how to read market data.
The day before
- Confirm the time, time zone, location or video link, and who you will meet.
- For video interviews, test your camera, microphone and connection, and choose a quiet spot with plain lighting from the front.
- For in-person interviews, plan your route and aim to arrive 10 minutes early.
- Print or save a copy of your resume and the job description.
In the interview
- Answer the question asked, then stop. Two minutes is long enough for most answers.
- Use “I,” not just “we.” Interviewers want to know what you did on the team.
- Be specific. “I reduced overtime 20% by changing the shift schedule” beats “I improved efficiency.”
- It’s fine to pause. Taking a moment to think reads as thoughtful, not unprepared.
- Stay positive about past employers, even when you left for good reasons.
Questions worth asking
- What would success look like in this role after six months?
- What is the biggest challenge the team is facing right now?
- How does this role work with the rest of the business?
- What do people who do well here have in common?
- What are the next steps in the process?
After the interview
- Send a short thank-you note the same day. Mention one thing you discussed and why it made you more interested.
- If you are working with a recruiter, call them right away with honest feedback, including any concerns. They can often answer questions about the role or the pay before the next round.
- Write down what you were asked while it is fresh. It will help you prepare for the next round.
We prep every candidate we represent
When we submit you for a role, we brief you on the company, the people you will meet and what they care about, then debrief with you after each round. If you would like that kind of support in your search, send us your resume.
More career advice: How to Work With a Recruiter (and Get More Out of It) and Resume Tips Recruiters Actually Notice.
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