Free template
Interview preparation checklist and planning sheet
Applicants with an interview invitation who need a preparation plan.
Sduella ·
Start with the invitation, the job description and the application you submitted. Those three documents tell you what interview you are attending, what the role needs and which claims you may be asked to explain.
Use the planning sheet to connect each important requirement to an example. Then practise aloud and check the practical details. A collection of memorised answers is less useful when the interviewer asks for a specific follow-up.
What is in the template
Replace the square-bracket prompts with your own information and remove sections you do not need.
Interview preparation planner Use the actual invitation, job advert and submitted application to complete this sheet. Interview details [Role and organisation] [Date, time and time zone] [Location or meeting link] [Contact person and requested documents] Three important requirements 1. [Requirement] — [Your supporting example] 2. [Requirement] — [Your supporting example] 3. [Requirement] — [Your supporting example] Practice [An introduction connected to the role] [A teamwork or communication example] [A problem, error or difficult decision you can explain] Questions for the interviewer [Question about the work, supervision, training or next step] [Second question that the advert does not already answer] Practical checks [Travel or connection plan] [Documents and equipment checked] [One action to improve after rehearsal] After the interview [Questions asked, facts clarified and next step agreed]
Make a first preparation pass
Write the role's three most important requirements in your own words. Under each, add one example from your experience. Open your submitted CV or form and check the dates, claims and projects it contains. Prepare from that submitted version so your examples agree with the information the interviewer has.
Read the organisation's own description of its work. Record one fact connected to the role and one question that remains unanswered. This is more useful than trying to memorise the whole website.
Rehearse with a question and a follow-up
Ask someone to choose a question from the role requirements. Answer it aloud, then have them ask what you personally did or how you know the outcome. Notice where you become vague or spend too long explaining the background.
If practising alone, record one answer and listen once. Check whether the answer addressed the actual question, contained a concrete action and finished with an outcome. Change that one answer before moving to the next.
Check the invitation and practical details
- Confirm the date, time, time zone and interview format.
- For a video interview, check the link, microphone, camera and a backup way to contact the organiser.
- For an in-person interview, plan the route and find the entrance or meeting point.
- Keep the documents requested in the invitation ready.
- Write down the next step explained at the end of the interview.
Final check
- You can explain the role's main tasks.
- Your examples match the requirements.
- You have practised at least one follow-up.
- The meeting details and requested documents are ready.
Further reading
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