Interview preparation checklist for freshers

Good preparation reduces nerves more than any trick. Use this checklist to organise it. It is arranged by time, so you can follow it from a week before the interview to the day itself.

A week before

• Read the job post and underline the skills and tools it asks for.
• Read the company's website, products and recent news. Know what it does and who its customers are.
• Revise the basics of the skills on your resume. If you listed Python or Excel, expect a question or a small test on it.
• Prepare a short introduction (see our guide on answering "Tell me about yourself").
• Prepare two or three stories from projects, college or internships: one about a problem you solved, one about teamwork, one about a mistake you learned from.
• Check that the company is real and that nobody has asked you for money.

Questions to practise

• Why do you want this job, and why this company?
• What are your strengths and one area you are improving?
• Tell me about a project you are proud of. What was your part?
• Describe a time you worked in a team or handled a disagreement.
• Where do you see yourself in a few years?
• Why should we hire you over other candidates?
• Do you have any questions for us?

How to answer behavioural questions

Questions that start with "Tell me about a time when..." are easier with the STAR method:

1. Situation: set the scene in one sentence.
2. Task: what you had to do.
3. Action: what you did, step by step. This is the main part.
4. Result: what happened, with a number if possible, and what you learned.

For example: "In our final-year project (situation), I had to collect and clean data from three sources (task). I wrote a Python script to merge them and checked every column for errors (action). It cut our cleaning time from two days to two hours, and our report was rated best in the batch (result)."

Prepare your own questions

Ask about the team, how success is measured in the first months, and what training is offered. Avoid asking about salary or leave first, unless they bring it up. A good question shows that you have thought about the job.

Technical or skill round

For technical roles, practise the basics of your listed tools and a few small exercises. For non-technical roles such as sales or support, expect role plays: for example, selling a product to the interviewer or handling an angry customer. Practise with a friend.

The night before

• Check the time, place or link, and the name of the interviewer.
• Keep copies of your resume, ID and certificates ready, and a notebook and pen.
• For an online interview, test your camera, microphone and internet, and find a quiet, well-lit place.
• Plan your clothes and your route, and leave extra time for traffic.
• Sleep well. Tired candidates make more mistakes.

On the day

• Arrive or log in 10 minutes early.
• Dress neatly for the field. When unsure, choose a little more formal.
• Listen to the full question, take a moment to think, and answer clearly. It is fine to say "Let me think for a moment".
• If you do not know something, say so honestly and explain how you would find out.
• Be polite to everyone you meet, including reception and other candidates.
• Thank the interviewers at the end, and send a short thank-you email afterwards.

After the interview

Write down the questions you were asked and how you answered. Note what to improve. If you have not heard back after the time they gave you, send one polite follow-up.

Stay safe

Before you attend, make sure the company is real and that no one asked you for money. See our guide on spotting a fake job offer, or use the company check. A genuine employer never charges a fee to interview or to join.