First-job interview preparation
Your first interview: a practical checklist
An invitation is a starting point. Use this checklist to prepare your evidence, practise aloud, and handle the day without last-minute surprises.
The day before: match your evidence to the role
Read the invitation and job description together. Confirm the time zone, interview format, contact person, and whether you need to complete a task. Ask the recruiter about unclear logistics rather than guessing.
- Read the company’s own product and careers pages. Write down what the team does and one reason this role fits your interests.
- Choose three requirements in the vacancy. Beside each, write one example from a project, internship, course, or college responsibility.
- Review the exact resume you submitted. Open every portfolio link and be ready to explain each skill you listed.
- Prepare two questions whose answers you cannot find in the job description.
Rehearse three short stories aloud
Start with your introduction, then practise a project explanation and a teamwork example. For each story, cover the context, your responsibility, what you did, and the result. Be explicit about your individual contribution.
Illustrative prompt: “Our group had conflicting ideas about the project scope. I compared the options against the deadline, proposed a smaller feature set, and documented the agreed tasks.” Replace this with a real situation; explain the outcome honestly even if the project was not successful.
Record one attempt. Check whether you answered the question, used understandable language, and provided evidence. Rehearse follow-up questions instead of memorising a speech. If you cannot answer a technical question, explain what you know, ask a clarifying question, and avoid bluffing.
Check the practical details
- Online: test the meeting link, microphone, camera, power, and connection. Close private tabs before any screen sharing. Keep the recruiter’s contact details available if the call fails.
- In person: check the route and entry instructions. Carry the documents the employer requested and a readable copy of your resume. Plan a small arrival buffer.
- For either format: keep a notebook, water, the vacancy, and your questions nearby. Follow any stated assessment rules.
During the conversation
Listen to the full question. Take a brief pause when you need it. Ask for clarification if the scope is unclear. For technical problems, state assumptions and explain your reasoning. Do not describe a practice project as paid client work.
When invited, ask about responsibilities, support, or how performance is evaluated. See our questions to ask an interviewer for options. Before leaving, clarify the next step and expected timeline.
Afterwards: capture one improvement
Save the date, stage, and agreed next step in your application tracker. Note a question you handled well and one to practise. If appropriate, send a short thank-you through the agreed channel. Respect the stated timeline before following up.
If you have only thirty minutes
Spend ten minutes on the vacancy and your resume, ten answering your introduction and project questions aloud, and ten checking logistics and preparing two questions. This is a prioritisation plan, not a substitute for learning the skills the role requires.