A Complete Job Interview Preparation Checklist

The night before

• Reread the job posting and your own CV side by side — you should be able to connect every requirement to something real you've done.
• Look up the company: what they do, who their customers are, and anything recent (a launch, an award, news coverage).
• Prepare two or three real stories from your own experience using a simple structure: the situation, what you did, and the outcome. These should cover your strongest, most relevant achievements, ready to adapt to whatever's asked.
• Prepare 2-3 genuine questions to ask them — about the team, the first 90 days, or how success in the role is measured. Being unable to ask anything reads as low interest.
• Confirm the practical details: exact time (and time zone, if remote), platform/link, or the office address and how to get in.

The hour before

• Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection if it's a video call; check the route and leave extra time if it's in person.
• Have your CV, the job posting, and your notes open or printed nearby.
• Have a glass of water within reach and silence notifications on your phone and computer.

During the interview

• Take a moment before answering rather than filling silence — a short pause reads as thoughtful, not unprepared.
• Answer the actual question first, then add context, rather than building up to the point.
• It's fine to say "That's a great question, let me think for a second" if you need a moment.
• If a question is unclear, ask for it to be rephrased rather than guessing at what they meant.

After

• Send a short, genuine thank-you note within a day, mentioning one specific thing you talked about — not a generic template.
• Write down what went well and what you'd do differently, while it's still fresh, so the next interview benefits from this one.