The Ultimate Pre-Interview Checklist: 10 Things You Must Do
The Ultimate Pre-Interview Checklist: 10 Things You Must Do
Thorough preparation is the single most effective way to build confidence and excel in a job interview. This checklist provides a strategic, 10-step framework to ensure you walk in prepared to articulate your value and make a lasting impression.
1. Deconstruct the Job Description
Go beyond a quick scan. Print out the job description and highlight the key responsibilities, required skills, and preferred qualifications. This is your road map to what the hiring manager values most.
The goal is to understand the role's core problems so you can position yourself as the solution. Cruit's Job Analysis Module automates this by comparing the description to your resume, instantly showing you where you align and where your gaps are.
2. Research the Company Beyond its Homepage
Understand the company's mission, values, recent news, and key competitors. Explore their recent press releases, social media activity, and read employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor.
This deeper knowledge allows you to tailor your answers and ask more insightful questions, demonstrating genuine interest in the company's future and culture.
3. Understand Your Interviewers
Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn. Note their career path, tenure at the company, and any shared connections or interests.
This isn’t about being invasive; it's about building rapport. Finding common ground can help you connect on a more personal level and make the conversation feel more natural.
4. Align Your Resume to the Role
Re-read your resume with the job description in mind. Be prepared to speak to every point on it, connecting your past accomplishments directly to the needs of this new role.
Many companies use software to screen resumes. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are programs that scan for keywords and qualifications. Tailoring your resume helps you pass this initial screening.
5. Prepare Your "Tell Me About Yourself" Story
This isn't a request for your life story. Craft a compelling 90-second professional narrative that connects your past experience, present skills, and future aspirations directly to the company and role you're interviewing for.
Structure it as a concise pitch: start with your current role, bridge to key accomplishments, and end by stating why you are interested in this specific opportunity.
6. Master Key Career Stories with the STAR Method
Interviewers often use behavioral questions to understand your past performance. Behavioral Questions are prompts that start with "Tell me about a time when..." and require you to provide a specific example.
Prepare 3-5 powerful stories about your biggest accomplishments, challenges, and learning experiences. Structure them using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for maximum clarity and impact.
7. Practice Your Answers Out Loud
Reciting answers in your head is not the same as saying them aloud. Practice speaking your key talking points to a friend, a mentor, or even just your reflection in a mirror.
This helps you refine your language, check your timing, and reduce the use of filler words. It moves your stories from memory to muscle memory, allowing for a more natural delivery.
8. Prepare Thoughtful Questions to Ask Them
An interview is a two-way street. Prepare at least 3-5 insightful questions for your interviewers. This shows you are engaged, curious, and seriously evaluating the opportunity.
Avoid asking about information you could have easily found online. Focus on questions about team dynamics, company culture, challenges in the role, or what success looks like in the first 90 days.
9. Plan Your Interview Logistics
For virtual interviews, test your technology. Check your internet connection, camera, and microphone. Ensure your background is clean and professional, and that you have good lighting.
For in-person interviews, confirm the address, plan your route, and account for potential traffic. Lay out your professional attire the night before to avoid any last-minute stress.
10. Prepare Your Post-Interview Thank You Note
Draft a template for your thank-you email before the interview. This allows you to quickly personalize it with specific details from your conversation and send it within 24 hours.
A timely, well-written thank-you note reiterates your interest and professionalism, leaving a final positive impression.
Pre-Interview FAQ
### What is the STAR method?
The STAR method is a structured framework for answering behavioral interview questions. It stands for Situation (set the scene), Task (describe your responsibility), Action (explain the steps you took), and Result (share the quantifiable outcome).
### How should I dress for a virtual interview?
Dress as you would for an in-person interview. Professional attire demonstrates respect for the interviewer and the process. Choose solid colors, as busy patterns can be distracting on camera.
### What's the difference between behavioral and situational questions?
While both assess your judgment, they focus on different timeframes. Behavioral questions ask about your past actions, while situational questions pose a hypothetical future problem.
| Question Type | Focus | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral | Past Experience | "Tell me about a time you handled a difficult client." |
| Situational | Future Action | "What would you do if you disagreed with your manager's decision?" |
How Cruit Supercharges Your Interview Prep
Cruit’s suite of AI tools provides a powerful co-pilot to execute this checklist with precision and confidence.
Job Analysis Module: Get an instant, data-backed comparison of your resume against any job description. You’ll immediately see your "Matching Skills" and "Skill Gaps," allowing you to focus your preparation on what matters most.
Resume Tailoring Module: The AI assistant engages you in a conversation to uncover relevant experiences you may have overlooked, helping you authentically align your resume with the job description to beat ATS screening.
Interview Prep Module: This is your dedicated interview training ground. The module generates personalized questions based on the job you're targeting. An interactive AI coach helps you brainstorm examples and structure your answers using the STAR method. You can practice your delivery and even create digital flashcards to internalize your key talking points for a natural, confident performance.
This guide was created by Cruit, a career growth platform that helps professionals build and execute their career strategy.