Final Interview Checklist
Your comprehensive guide to interview preparation. Use this checklist before every interview.
Days Before the Interview
Start preparing at least 2-3 days before your interview. Don't leave this until the last minute.
- Read recent news and press releases
- Understand their products/services
- Know their mission and values
- Research the interviewer(s) on LinkedIn
- 5-7 STAR stories covering different competencies
- Practice each story out loud (time yourself: 1-2 minutes)
- Prepare variations for different question angles
- Have specific metrics and outcomes ready
- Review fundamentals relevant to the role
- Practice coding problems if applicable
- Review your past projects — be ready to discuss in detail
- Prepare to explain your resume highlights
- Prepare 5+ thoughtful questions
- Include questions about team, challenges, and growth
- Avoid questions easily answered by Google
- Have backup questions in case some get answered
Day of the Interview
- Test your camera and microphone
- Check your internet connection
- Close unnecessary applications
- Have water nearby
- Use the bathroom
- Camera at eye level
- Good lighting (face a window or use a lamp)
- Clean, neutral background
- Phone on silent and out of sight
- Notifications turned off
- Copy of your resume
- Job description
- Your prepared questions
- Notepad and pen
- Names of interviewers
Warning
Join the video call 2-3 minutes early. Being late — even by a minute — starts the interview on a negative note.
During the Interview
- 1Smile and make eye contact (look at the camera)
- 2Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
- 3Use the STAR method for behavioral questions
- 4Think out loud during technical questions
- 5Ask clarifying questions when needed
- 6Take brief notes
- 7Show enthusiasm and genuine interest
- 8Ask your prepared questions at the end
- 9Express your interest in the role
- 10Thank the interviewer for their time
Key Phrases to Remember
When you need time to think
“That's a great question. Let me take a moment to think through this...”
When you don't know something
“I haven't worked with that specifically, but here's how I would approach it based on my experience with similar technologies...”
Closing the interview
“Thank you so much for your time. I'm really excited about this opportunity and I can see myself making a real impact here.”
After the Interview
Thank You Email Template
Subject: Thank you for the conversation - [Role] position
Hi [Interviewer Name],
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the [Role] position. I really enjoyed learning about [specific topic you discussed] and hearing about the challenges your team is tackling.
Our conversation reinforced my excitement about the opportunity. [Add one specific thing that excited you about the role or company].
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information from me. I look forward to hearing about the next steps.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Pro Tip
Personalize each thank-you email. Reference something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and listening.
Final Reminders
Remember
- • You're interviewing them too
- • Confidence is attractive
- • Mistakes are recoverable
- • Enthusiasm matters
- • Be yourself (your best self)
Avoid
- • Badmouthing previous employers
- • One-word answers
- • Excessive humility
- • Checking your phone
- • Forgetting to ask questions
You've Completed the Training!
You now have the knowledge and tools to excel in American tech interviews. Remember: preparation beats talent when talent doesn't prepare.