1 Week Before: Research & Preparation
Use this week to build your foundation:
- Research the company: product, mission, recent news, leadership team
- Study the job description — every bullet point is a potential question
- Research the interviewers on LinkedIn
- Read company reviews on Glassdoor and AmbitionBox
- Prepare your 'Tell me about yourself' — practise to under 90 seconds
- Build your STAR story bank: minimum 6 stories covering different competencies
- Research market salary range for the role
- Prepare 5 smart questions to ask the interviewer
2–3 Days Before: Practice & Polish
Now you sharpen what you've built:
- Do a full mock interview — with SpeakWell AI or a peer
- Record yourself and review your answer quality, pace, and filler words
- Finalise and print/share your updated resume
- Prepare your outfit — business professional or smart casual
- Confirm interview details: time, location/meeting link, format, number of rounds
- Get the interviewer's phone number or LinkedIn in case of technical issues (virtual)
Day Before: Calm Preparation
Today is for confirmation and rest — not cramming:
- Light review of key concepts (30 minutes max)
- Pack your bag: notebook, pens, multiple copies of resume, documents
- Check the route and estimate travel time (add 30 minutes buffer)
- Test your tech: camera, mic, internet, Zoom/Teams for virtual interviews
- Set two alarms
- Sleep for at least 7–8 hours
Morning of the Interview
How you start the morning sets your energy for the day:
- Wake up 2+ hours before the interview
- Eat a proper meal — hunger affects concentration and confidence
- Review your 'Tell me about yourself' and 3 key STAR stories
- Do a 5-minute confidence exercise: stand tall, breathe deeply
- Leave early — aim to arrive 15–20 minutes before the scheduled time
During the Interview: Performance Reminders
Pin these in your mind before walking in:
- Greet everyone you meet — receptionists, security, everyone
- Pause 2–3 seconds before answering difficult questions — thinking is not weakness
- Use STAR structure for every behavioral question
- Quantify whenever possible: 'We improved speed by 35%' not 'We made it faster'
- If you don't know something: 'I don't have experience with X but here's how I'd approach it…'
- Maintain eye contact 70% of the time
- Ask your 2–3 prepared questions at the end
- Get the next steps clearly: 'What does the timeline look like from here?'
Within 24 Hours: Post-Interview
Most candidates forget this — it's your last impression:
- Send a thank-you email to each interviewer within 24 hours
- Reference one specific thing from the conversation in the email
- Restate your enthusiasm and one key reason you're the right fit
- Write down every question you were asked while it is fresh
- Reflect on what went well and what you'd improve
- If you haven't heard back by the date they mentioned, follow up politely
Expert Tips
Thank-you emails increase callback rates by up to 22% — most candidates skip this
Screenshot the interviewer's LinkedIn profile before the call in case you need to reconnect
The 2-minute power pose (standing tall with arms out) before the interview genuinely reduces cortisol
Practice your commute route 1–2 days before to avoid day-of surprises
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I arrive for an in-person interview?
15 minutes early — not 30. Arriving too early can create awkwardness for the team. Use the extra time to sit in a nearby café and review your notes.
What should I bring to an in-person interview?
5 copies of your resume, a notebook, a pen, your ID, any required documents, and a bottle of water. Keep everything organised in a clean folder or portfolio.
Ready to ace your next interview?
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