How to Prepare for an Interview

Good interview preparation reduces stress and helps you present your experience clearly. This guide outlines a practical approach: know the company and role, prepare your stories, and get into a calm, focused mindset.

1. Research the company and the role

Before the interview, spend time on the company’s website, recent news, and (if relevant) their social media or blog. Understand what they do, who they serve, and what’s changing in their industry. For the specific role, re-read the job description and note the main responsibilities and required skills.

This helps you answer “Why us?” and “What do you know about us?” and shows you’ve taken the process seriously. It also helps you decide if the role and culture are right for you.

2. Match your experience to the job

List 3–5 requirements from the job description and for each, think of a concrete example from your work or studies: a project, a problem you solved, or a result you achieved. Prepare short answers (1–2 minutes) that follow a simple structure: situation, your action, and outcome. In the US and UK, this is often called the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)—use it if it helps you stay concise.

Have a clear “Tell me about yourself” answer that lasts about 1–2 minutes: who you are, your relevant background, and why you’re interested in this role.

3. Prepare questions to ask

Interviews usually end with “Do you have any questions?” Having a few thoughtful questions shows interest and helps you evaluate the job. Examples:

• What does a typical day or week look like in this role?
• What would success look like in the first 6 months?
• How does the team collaborate (e.g. tools, meetings, remote vs on-site)?
• What are the next steps in the process?

Avoid asking things that are easily found on the website or that focus only on salary and benefits in the first interview unless the interviewer brings them up.

4. Practise out loud

Rehearse your main answers out loud—alone or with a friend. It makes your delivery smoother and highlights where you tend to ramble or get stuck. If the interview is by video, test your camera, microphone, and internet, and check your background and lighting. Join the call a minute or two early so you’re not rushed.

5. The day of the interview

Get enough sleep and allow time so you’re not rushing. For in-person interviews, plan your route and aim to arrive a few minutes early. Have copies of your resume (or a device with it open), a notepad, and a pen. For video, close other apps and notifications and put your phone on silent.

Listen carefully to each question. It’s fine to pause briefly or say “Let me think about that” before answering. If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification. Stay professional and positive, and be honest—don’t invent experience or badmouth previous employers.

6. After the interview

Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours. Mention something specific from the conversation and reiterate your interest. This is standard practice in the US and UK and is appreciated in many other markets too.

Key takeaways

• Research the company and role so you can speak to “Why us?” and “What do you know about us?”
• Prepare 3–5 concrete examples that match the job requirements; use STAR if it helps.
• Prepare 2–3 questions to ask and test your tech before video interviews.
• On the day: be on time, listen, and answer honestly. Follow up with a thank-you email.

Preparation doesn’t guarantee an offer, but it does put you in a better position to show your best. If you want to go deeper, you can use ResumaryAi to track your applications and get AI-generated interview prep based on the job description and your resume, so you go in with tailored talking points.