Interviews
Interview tips, from preparation to follow-up
To prepare for an interview, research the role, match your experience to the job, write your stories in STAR form, rehearse out loud and plan your follow-up. The posts below take each stage in turn.
On this page
How to prepare for an interview in 5 steps
- Read the posting and the company. Note the three skills the job asks for most and one recent thing the company shipped or announced.
- Match your experience to the job. For each of those skills, pick a moment from your work that proves it.
- Write your stories in STAR form. Situation, task, action, result. Six to eight stories cover most behavioral rounds.
- Rehearse out loud. Time your answer to "Tell me about yourself" at 60 to 90 seconds, and say each story at least once before the day.
- Plan your questions and the follow-up. Bring two or three questions for them, and send a thank-you email within 24 hours.
Before the interview
Build your stories, set up the call and get ready for a technical round.
During the interview
Give every answer a shape, then ask good questions of your own.
After the interview
Say thank you, then follow up without chasing.
Common questions
The three questions almost every interview asks, with answers you can adapt.
Which post for which moment
Common questions about interview prep
How do I prepare for an interview?
Read the posting, match your experience to its top skills, write your stories in STAR form, rehearse them out loud, and plan your questions and your follow-up.
What is the STAR method?
Situation, Task, Action, Result: a way to answer behavioral questions with one specific example that ends in a clear result.
How soon should I send a thank-you email after an interview?
Within 24 hours. Keep it under 120 words, mention something you actually discussed, and write to each interviewer separately after a panel.
What should I do if I hear nothing after an interview?
Wait until the date they gave you has passed, plus two business days, then send one short follow-up asking about timing. If a week passes with no reply, check in once more.