Our Free Resources Series: On Interiew Tips

We believe career development should be accessible to all. That is why we offer free interview guides and notes—to help everyone, especially fresh graduates facing financial or scheduling barriers, prepare fairly and confidently. We also encourage a Buddy System, where users partner with peers to practice mock interviews, give feedback, and grow together. This turns solo preparation into a supportive, collaborative experience that builds confidence and creates lasting networks—because job-seeking shouldn’t be a solo journey, but a shared achievement.

1. Interview Preparation Checklist

  • We hope these complied list is useful:
  • Before the Interview:

Research the Company:

  • Understand their history, mission, values, products and services, culture, and news. 
  • Check their LinkedIn, website, and Glassdoor.

Understand the Role:

  • Review the job description thoroughly. Identify key skills and responsibilities. Prepare examples of how your experience aligns with the role.

Prepare Yourself:

  • Use the STAR method:
  • Situation, Task, Action, Result.
  • To structure answers about your experiences.
  • Prepare 5-7 real life stories that demonstrate skills like leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability and "selling point".

Anticipate Common Questions:

  • “Tell me about yourself.”
  • “Why do you want to work here?”
  • “Can you describe the team dynamics?”
  • “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
  • “What are your strength and weaknesses.

Prepare Questions to Ask:

  • Ask insightful questions like:
  • “Can you describe the team dynamics?”
  • “What does success look like in this role in the first 6 months and the KPI for me?”
  • “What are the biggest challenges someone in this role might face?”

Logistics:

  • Confirm the time, date, format - for instance, in-person, video or phone, and who you will be meeting. For virtual interviews: Test your tech - such as camera, mic or  internet and choose a quiet, well-lit space.

Gather Materials:

  • Notepad and pen.
  • Copies of your resume.
  • Portfolio/work samples (if applicable).

During the Interview:

First Impressions Matter: 

  • Arrive 10-15 minutes early.
  • For virtual, be logged in early.
  • Smile, and maintain eye contact.
  • Offer a firm handshake if in-person.
  • How To Dress appropriately:
  • Business casual or professional.
  • Depending on the company culture.

Communication Tips:

  • Speak clearly and confidently.
  • Be concise but thorough. Avoid rambling.
  • Listen carefully - answer the question asked.

Body Language:

  • Sit up straight. 
  • Use hand gestures naturally.
  • Nod to show you are engaged.

Handle Tough Questions Gracefully:

  • If you don’t know an answer, it’s okay to say:
  • “That’s a great question. I don’t have experience with that specifically, but here’s how I’d approach it…”

Discuss Salary Carefully:

  • If asked about salary expectations, provide a range based on research such as sites like Glassdoor or Payscale.

After the Interview:

  • Send a Thank-You Email: Send within 24 hours. Personalize it—mention something specific from the conversation. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. Note what questions were asked and how you answered. Identify areas where you can improve for next time.
  • Follow Up (If Needed): If you have not heard back after the specified time, send a polite follow-up email.

Extra Notes: 

  • Be yourself: Let your personality shine.
  • Employers hire someone who fits culturally.
  • Practice Out Loud: Rehearse your answers.
  • Mindset: Treat the interview as a two-way conversation; you are also assessing if the company is right for you.

2. Comprehensive Questions

We have categorized by type. This list is perfect for preparing for a wide range of interviews.

The Common Introductory Questions

These are designed to get you talking and to learn about your background.

  • "Tell me about yourself."

  • "Walk me through your resume."

  • "How did you hear about this position?"

  • "What do you know about our company?"

  • "Why are you interested in this role?"

  • "Why are you leaving your current job?"

  • "Why did you leave your last job?"

  • "What are you looking for in a new position?"

  • "What is your preferred work style?"

  • Remote, in-office, hybrid

  • "What are your salary expectations?"

  • Behavioral Questions

(Use the STAR Method to Answer)

These assess how you have handled situations in the past, which is often a predictor of future behavior.

  • "Tell me about a time you faced a difficult challenge at work. How did you handle it?"
  • "Describe a situation where you had to work as part of a team to achieve a goal."
  • "Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from it?"
  • "Give me an example of a time you demonstrated leadership skills."
  • "Describe a situation where you had a conflict with a coworker or manager. How was it resolved?"
  • "Tell me about a time you had to manage multiple priorities with a tight deadline."
  • "Give an example of a time you went above and beyond for a customer or client."
  • "Describe a situation where you had to convince someone to see things your way."
  • "Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it?"
  • Give an example of a creative solution you implemented to solve a problem."

Role-Specific & Technical Questions

These test the hard skills and knowledge required for the specific job.

  •  "What experience do you have with [specific software or tool, e.g., Excel, Salesforce, Python]?"
  • "Walk me through how you would approach [a key task from the job description]."
  • "What do you think are the most important qualities for someone in this role?"
  • "What relevant experience do you have for this position?"
  • For managers:"What is your management style?"
  • For creatives:"Can you walk me through your portfolio?"

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Work Style

These questions help the interviewer gauge your self-awareness and cultural fit.

  • "What is your greatest strength?" 
  • "What is your greatest weakness?"
  • For this name a honest, but minor, weakness and explained improved it.
  • "What motivates you?"
  •  "How do you handle stress or pressure?"
  • "How do you receive feedback?"
  •  "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
  •  "What kind of work environment do you prefer?"

Questions for the Interviewer (Always have at least 5 ready.)

Asking thoughtful questions shows your interest and helps you determine if the company is a good fit for you.

  • "What do you enjoy most about working here?"
  • "Can you describe the culture of the team/company?"
  •  "What are the biggest challenges someone in this role will face in the first 3-6 months?"
  • "How would you measure success for this role in the first year?"
  • "What are the next steps in the interview process?"
  • "Is there anything about my background or resume that makes you hesitant about moving forward?"
  • (This is a bold but powerful question I like to ask at the end.)