Interview Checklist

Knowing what to do before and after an interview is

crucial. Use this checklist to help get you into the right

mindset for the big day!

INTERVIEW LOGISTICS

Before going to an interview, you should have all of your logistics planned out and written down.

Company Forgetting or mixing up the time of your

interview is a sure-fire way to make sure you
don’t get the job. Be careful to set an alarm and
Position
try to arrive early! You don’t want to get there
too early though — aim for 10-15 minutes
Interview Time before the interview.

Interview Location Do you know exactly where your interview is

located? Do you know how you’re going to get
there? Have you been there before? If not,
making a dry run the day before is a good idea
so you don’t get lost or run into unexpected
roadblocks.

INTERVIEWER CONTACT INFO: RECRUITER/HR CONTACT INFO:

Name Name

Title Title

Email Email

Phone Phone

It’s good to be as informed as possible, so make sure you have the information of a few contacts within the
company. Having information such as phone numbers or email addresses is handy as well in case you are
running late or need to reschedule.

Additional Notes:

MyInterviewPractice.com | 1
My Interview Practice Interview Checklist

WHAT TO BRING TO AN INTERVIEW

Pen/Pencil
Bringing a pen or pencil is handy in case you need to take down notes or answer a
complicated question. An added bonus of bringing a writing utensil is that it shows the
interviewer you came prepared.

Notepad
Notepads are handy to have since you can jot down a reminder for questions you want to
ask or in case you need to take down notes. Don’t use your phone to take notes as it can
come off as unprofessional.

Resumes/References
Although the interviewer will probably have a copy of your resume, it’s still a good idea to
bring a few copies of your own. They will come in handy if the interviewer has lost yours or
if they want you to walk them through it. Also, bring a list of references just in case.

Padfolio/Folder
A padfolio or folder will help keep all of your items neat and organized while also having
the added benefit of giving you an air of professionalism.

Work Samples
Work samples are great because they are something substantial you can show the
interviewer. While a verbal account of your skills is an effective way to show the
interviewer you are qualified, work samples will give them something tangible to drive
the point home.

Briefcase/Bag
Rain, commuters on the train, stray cups of coffee — there’s a lot that can ruin your
interview essentials. Having a briefcase or bag helps protect them from the outside world
and keeps you organized.

Worksheets to Review
It’s never a bad idea to review the basics before your interview. Printing out the
worksheets from our training program (Research, Strengths and Weaknesses, S.T.A.R.
Stories, Questions to Ask, and this one) will help keep all those important concepts fresh in
your mind. Just make sure you’re not reading off of them during your interview.
Otherwise, you will come off as unprepared and inexperienced.

Breath Mints / Gum
Taking a mint before your interview will ensure you don’t offend the interviewer with bad
breath. If you choose to chew gum, make sure to spit it out before your interview.

Appropriate Attire
The day before your interview, make sure you have an outfit picked out and ready to go.
Reaching for an outfit in the morning only to realize it’s still dirty from the last time you
wore it could throw off your groove for the rest of the day.

MyInterviewPractice.com | 2
My Interview Practice Interview Checklist

HOW TO DRESS

Here are a few tips to make sure you are dressed appropriately:

Clean up
It doesn’t matter if you’re interviewing with a startup that has a laid-back
culture or with the CEO of a multimillion dollar corporation — always show
up clean as a whistle. This means your clothes are washed and ironed, your
hair is combed, and your shoes are shined.

Make sure you’re comfortable

Before an interview, take the time to shop around for an interview outfit you
genuinely like — something appropriate that you look good in and feel good
in. There’s nothing more obvious than someone who feels uncomfortable in
their own clothes. Choose an outfit you love, and your confidence will be that
much higher when you go into your interview.

When in doubt, ask

Finally, if you’re still unsure of what you should wear, ask. Nobody will think
any less of you for it, and it can save you a lot of time and stress.

Remember, at the end of the day, you are a professional. Make sure you dress like one!

UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE INTERVIEWER WANTS TO KNOW

By now you should feel prepared for your upcoming interview. Every step in the training program
has provided understanding about the interviewer’s thought process. There are a few general
things about you that the interviewer wants to know.

The most important is whether or not you can do the job. Reviewing the Behavioral & Situational
Questions and Technical Questions guides will help you demonstrate that you are indeed qualified.

Another factor that comes into play is whether or not you are motivated. Companies don’t want
employees who just clock in and clock out. They want people who love what they do and are
motivated to do their best.

Finally, company culture is a large part of determining whether a position is a good fit. The
interviewer wants to make sure you will get along with other employees and clients. Reviewing the
Company Research guide should help you understand how to find the right company for you.

Going into an interview doesn’t have to be scary once you understand what the interviewer wants
to know about you. Your training has prepared you for this — now it’s just a matter of executing!

MyInterviewPractice.com | 3
My Interview Practice Interview Checklist

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION TIPS

Now that you understand what the interviewer wants to know, it’s important to understand how to
communicate this to them. You can be the most qualified candidate in the world, but that won’t
help you if you can’t hold a proper conversation!

Communication is one of the most important soft skills interviewers look for in an employee.
Whether or not a candidate can communicate well with their co-workers will affect many aspects
within the company, including productivity, relationship building, and overall happiness.

Let’s check out some effective communication tips below:

Understand the question

It’s difficult to answer a question if you don’t understand it. Before you answer, make
sure you know what the interviewer is asking — if you don't, ask for clarification.

Be genuine
Interviewers are professionals whose job it is to evaluate people. They can tell when
you’re lying, so save them the trouble and be as authentic as possible.

Be specific
Remember, the interviewer wants to understand how you will fulfill the day-to-day job
responsibilities of this role. Make this easy on them by using specific, quantifiable
examples when possible.

Mimic their body language

Studies show that people tend to react more positively to people who mirror their
body language. Try it out! If they are sitting in a certain way, sit in that way as well. If
they lean forward, lean as well. Just remember to be subtle about it.

Focus on positive experiences

Nobody likes being around someone who’s a downer. By focusing on positive
experiences, the interviewer will begin to associate you with good feelings.

Nod
Because people associate nodding with agreeance, the interviewer will associate
you with positive feelings. Just be careful not to go overboard — you don’t want to
look like a bobblehead.

By incorporating these tips into your interview, you will be able to communicate more clearly with
your interviewer and have a more positive experience in general.

MyInterviewPractice.com | 4
My Interview Practice Interview Checklist

HOW TO CALM YOUR NERVES

You’re prepared, so why are you still nervous?

Don’t worry; this is perfectly normal. Take a look at these two powerful techniques that will help you
calm any pre-interview jitters.

Breathe
Breathing exercises are one of the best ways to calm your nerves. Known as nature’s tranquilizer,
breathing can reduce anxiety, quell nervousness, and even increase your focus and brainpower.
Breathing exercises are also great because you can do them anywhere! Just follow these simple
steps:
1. Exhale completely through your mouth. Imagine you are exhaling all the air out of your body.
2. Close your mouth and inhale through your nose to a count of four.
3. Hold your breath to a count of seven.
4. Exhale through your mouth to a count of eight, again forcing all the air from your lungs.
5. This is one complete breath. Repeat three more times for a total of four breaths.

Use Positive Visualization

Positive visualization is a powerful tool that is used by successful people in all industries from acting
to business. The use of positive visualization can help rid yourself of nerves and even get you excited
for your interview! When visualizing, follow these steps:
1. Go somewhere quiet.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Visualize yourself walking into your interview as vividly as you can. What do you see? Hear? Smell?
4. Now visualize yourself going through the interview process successfully. The interviewer is
impressed, and you are knocking every question out of the ballpark.
5. Once you’ve reached the end of your visualized interview, take a moment to feel those positive
emotions flow through you.
6. Now get up, and go ace that interview!

Did You Know?

Positive visualization is used by world-class actors such as
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Will Smith.

MyInterviewPractice.com | 5
My Interview Practice Interview Checklist

HOW TO WRITE A THANK YOU NOTE

Writing a thank you note is an often overlooked part of the interviewing process,

but it can really help you stand out from other candidates. Not only does thanking
the interviewer make them feel appreciated, it’s also an opportunity to remind
them of who you are and highlight your enthusiasm and capability for the job.

Sending an email is the easiest way to send a thank you note and is perfectly acceptable. Just be
sure to send it within 24 hours of your interview so it’s still fresh in the interviewer’s mind!

If you’re unsure about how to write a thank you note, check out our template below:

THANK YOU NOTE TEMPLATE

Interviewer's Name

1st Paragraph
Use this paragraph to thank the interviewer for their time and display your enthusiasm for
the position. Throwing in a little tidbit from your interview (such as a common interest or
similarity) is a good idea because it will build rapport and help jog their memory.

2nd Paragraph
Use this space to further explain why you’re qualified and highlight why it is you’re perfect
for the job. Remember to be detailed and refer to specific skills as this will help the
interviewer recall who you are.

3rd Paragraph
This paragraph is optional but can be used to further clarify any issues or questions that
came up during the interview that you weren’t able to address.

Closing Paragraph
Use this opportunity to once again thank the interviewer for their time and let them know
you look forward to hearing back from them.

Sincerely,

Your Name

MyInterviewPractice.com | 6