INTERACTIVE CHECKLIST
Interview Prep
By Timeline
Not organized by category. Organized by when you actually need to do each thing. Check items off as you go.
Your Progress
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0 of 0 completed
1
One Week Before
0/8
Research
Read the job description line by line. Highlight 3 requirements you match.
Read the company About page, mission, and recent news.
Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn. Know their role and tenure.
Check Glassdoor for common interview questions at this company.
Prepare
Write 5 STAR stories: leadership, problem-solving, failure, teamwork, achievement with numbers.
See the STAR Method guide for the framework.
Write your "Tell me about yourself" answer. Practice it out loud 3 times.
60 seconds: Present role, past experience, why this job.
Research the salary range for this role on Glassdoor or Salary.com. Know your number.
Pick 3 questions to ask them from the Top Questions guide.
2
24 Hours Before
0/8
Logistics
Confirm the time, location, and who you are meeting with.
Plan your route and parking. Arrive 10-15 minutes early. In-Person
Test camera, microphone, and internet connection. Video
Set up background: clean, quiet, well lit. Camera at eye level. Video
Preparation
Lay out your outfit tonight. Business professional unless told otherwise.
Video interviews: dress fully, top to bottom. You may need to stand.
Print 3 copies of your resume. In-Person
Charge your phone. Set 2 alarms for tomorrow.
Review your STAR stories one last time. Practice the weakest one out loud.
3
Morning Of
0/7
Eat a good meal. Do not skip this. Avoid too much caffeine.
Read through your "Tell me about yourself" answer one more time.
Put your phone on silent. Better yet, turn it off completely.
Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Use the bathroom. Take 3 deep breaths. In-Person
Open the meeting link 10 minutes early. Close all other tabs. Video
Remind yourself: "I am interviewing them too. Let me see if this is the right place for me."
Have a pen and notepad ready for notes.
4
During the Interview
0/9
Body Language
Firm handshake. Eye contact. Smile. Use their name. In-Person
Sit up straight. Lean slightly forward when they speak. Hands visible.
Look at the camera when speaking, not the screen. It creates eye contact. Video
Answering
Take a breath before each answer. It is okay to pause and think.
Use the STAR method for behavioral questions. Keep answers under 2 minutes.
End every answer with a result. Use numbers when possible.
Ask your 3 prepared questions when they ask "Do you have questions?"
If asked about salary, deflect first: "What is the range budgeted for this role?"
Get the name and email of everyone you spoke with.
ASK FOR THE JOB. Only 1 in 10 candidates do this
At the end of the interview, close strong. Do not just say "thanks" and leave.
"I want you to know I am very interested in this role. Based on everything we discussed, I believe I can make an impact here. What are the next steps?"
5
Within 24 Hours After
0/4
Send a thank-you email within 6-24 hours. Reference something specific from the conversation.
See the Thank-You Note template for the exact format.
If you met multiple people, send a personalized note to each one.
Write down every question they asked while it is fresh in your memory.
Continue applying to other jobs. Do not stop your search for one opportunity.
6
Follow-Up and Reflection
0/8
Follow-Up Timeline
If they gave a timeline ("we will decide by Friday"), wait until Monday to follow up.
If no timeline was given, follow up after one week with a brief check-in.
If ghosted after 2 weeks, send one final check-in. Then move on.
Post-Interview Reflection
Write down what went well. What answers felt strong?
Write down what you would change. Were there questions you stumbled on?
What was your gut feeling about the company and the people?
Trust your instincts. If something felt off, it probably was.
Did they mention anything that concerned you? Write it down before you forget.
Update your STAR stories based on what you learned. Improve the weak ones.
Need help with the answers?
The full Interview Mastery Guide has word-for-word scripts for every question on this checklist.