Interview Preparation: A 7-Day Plan
A focused week of preparation that covers research, stories, and practical drills.
Day 1: Research the company
Read their website, recent press, blog, and (if listed) the latest investor update. Identify three things you genuinely like about them and one challenge they appear to be facing. Bring both into the conversation.
Day 2: Decode the role
Read the job description again, slowly. List the top five competencies it requires. For each, brainstorm two stories from your experience where you demonstrated it.
Day 3: Build your story bank
Write out ten stories from your past work using the STAR format: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Cover leadership, failure, conflict, technical wins, and turnaround moments. These stories are reusable across many questions.
Day 4: Drill the common questions
"Tell me about yourself," "Why this company," "Greatest weakness," "Why are you leaving," "Walk me through your CV." Practice answers out loud. Record yourself. Cringe. Improve.
Day 5: Technical or case prep
Spend the day on the specific format your interview will use: coding problems, case studies, design challenges, take-home work. Use realistic constraints — quiet room, timer, no Google.
Day 6: Mock interview
Find a friend or peer and run a 30-minute mock with feedback. The exercise of speaking under pressure is the single biggest factor in interview performance.
Day 7: Logistics and rest
Confirm time, location or link, dress code, what to bring. Pick your outfit. Sleep eight hours. Eat. Showing up well-rested beats one more hour of preparation almost every time.