How to prepare for a job interview: complete checklist
Much of the confidence in an interview comes from preparation, not improvisational talent. Someone who arrives having researched the company, rehearsed their stories, and thought of smart questions communicates interest and clarity. This is the checklist of what to do beforehand and on the day.
By Carlos Jacon · Founder of CareersForge · Senior Engineering Manager
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What to do in the days before the interview?
Preparation starts well before the day. Set aside time to understand the company and the role, reread the job description, select your most relevant stories, and anticipate the most likely questions. The more you process this in advance, the less you’ll rely on memory under pressure.
How to research the company and the role?
Understanding the context improves both your answers and your questions.
- Company website: what they do, products, values, recent news.
- Their LinkedIn page: size, area of operation, recent posts.
- The job description: reread it and identify the 3 to 5 core requirements.
- Connections: see if you know anyone who works or worked there.
What to prepare to speak about and to ask?
Have three or four well-defined stories tied to the role’s requirements, and prepare questions for the interviewer that show interest and help you evaluate the role.
Example: good questions to ask the interviewer
- What are the biggest challenges for someone stepping into this role in the first few months?
- How is success in this role measured here?
- What is the team I would work with like on a day-to-day basis?
How to structure your stories (STAR method)?
Having stories in your head isn’t enough: under pressure they come out disorganized. The STAR method provides a simple skeleton to tell each one in under two minutes without getting lost.
- Situation: the context, in one or two sentences.
- Task: what your challenge or responsibility was.
- Action: what you did, focusing on your role (use 'I', not 'we').
- Result: what changed, preferably with a number or concrete impact.
Example: an answer in STAR format
- Situation: the team missed deadlines due to rework between design and development.
- Task: I needed to reduce that friction without increasing headcount.
- Action: I created a weekly alignment ritual and a handoff checklist between areas.
- Result: rework dropped by half and we returned to on-time delivery within two months.
Day-of-interview checklist
On the day, minimize what can go wrong logistically.
- Test camera, microphone, and connection beforehand if the interview is online.
- Choose a quiet, tidy, well-lit environment.
- Have your resume and the job description at hand for reference.
- Arrive (or join) a few minutes early; being late signals carelessness.
What to do after the interview?
The interview doesn’t end when you hang up the call. A short follow-up reinforces your interest and keeps you in the mind of decision-makers without sounding pushy.
- Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, citing a specific point from the conversation.
- Reinforce, in one sentence, why you fit the challenge you discussed.
- If they agreed on a return timeline, wait for it before following up; after the deadline, a polite reminder is legitimate.
- Note what they asked and how you answered: it helps prepare for next stages.
Read next
- What to do after the interview: the debrief
A ten-minute script to record what worked and what needs improvement while the interview is still fresh.
Frequently asked questions
How long before should I start preparing?
Ideally start as soon as the interview is scheduled, spreading preparation over a few days. Cramming everything the night before increases anxiety and leaves less time for the material to settle.
Should I bring written questions?
Yes, it’s actually well regarded. Having questions written down shows you prepared. In online interviews, keep them discreetly at hand; in-person, a notebook is perfectly acceptable.
How do I handle questions I don’t know how to answer?
Be honest and think aloud. Explaining how you would approach solving it, or that you would learn quickly, communicates more maturity than inventing an answer that doesn’t hold up.