The Job Interview Checklist

So you have a job interview coming up. Congratulations! Make sure you don’t forget the basics. Here’s your checklist:

Video interview

• Make sure you’ve downloaded the software needed to conduct the interview. Test it in advance to make sure it works.
• Make sure your background isn’t messy.
• Have enough light. Test in advance how your face appears on the camera. You don’t want it to be in a dark shadow while talking to the recruiting manager.
• Wear clothes that you would wear if you were in a physical interview—from head to toe, even if you’re at home and people can see only your head and shoulders. You may have to get up to bring something, and you don’t want your hiring manager to make conclusions about you based on your pajamas.
• If you have a portfolio of your work, prepare links to your best examples. Perhaps there’ll be a chance to show them during the interview.
• Close your email window and all other websites on your computer / laptop. Turn off any notifications. Maybe you’ll need to share your screen, and you don’t want the recruiter to see the incoming message from your best friend saying: “Terrible hangover from last night. You too?”
• Keep your phone on “don’t disturb.”

Phone interview

• Have the dial-in number ready. If you’re abroad, check with the recruiter that the number works there as well. I once had a number provided by the recruiter that didn’t work because I was in another country.
• Save the call center number of the company you’re interviewing for. In case the connection doesn’t work for some reason, you know where to report that immediately.
• Be in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
• Have your headphones handy.
• Smile during the interview, just like you would if you were meeting the recruiter physically. People can sense your facial expressions over the phone.

Live interview

• Know where you’re going. Check the traffic situation in advance. Calculate how much time you need to get there and plan some time on top.
• Check the weather forecast.
• Make sure you have a few printed copies of your resume.
• If you have a portfolio of your work, print out a few pages that show your best examples. Perhaps there’ll be a chance to show them during the interview.
• Put your phone on “don’t disturb.”
• Make sure your outfit matches the company’s profile. If you’re interviewing for Nike, wearing Nike sneakers is a great statement. If you’re interviewing with a conservative insurance company, sneakers are not the best option. If in doubt, visit the company in advance to see how people are dressed.
• Some people feel more confident when they wear a new outfit. If that’s you, get yourself one. I suggest that you wear it at least once before the interview to avoid unpleasant surprises (sweat stains, the outfit being more transparent than expected, etc.)
• Clean out your bag and make sure it looks tidy and organized.
• Prepare a folder where you’ll be keeping all your documents for the interview in one place.

Now go out there and nail that interview.