Interview Prep Checklist

Use this timeline to structure your preparation over 4–6 weeks.

Week 1: Foundation

Research

• [ ] Company website, recent news, investor relations
• [ ] Product: use it for 30 minutes, understand the core value
• [ ] Engineering blog or tech stack documentation
• [ ] Team: who will be interviewing me?

Self-Preparation

• [ ] Resume reviewed and updated
• [ ] LinkedIn profile polished
• [ ] Story bank drafted (5–8 stories)
• [ ] Behavioral categories mapped

Technical

• [ ] Algorithm fundamentals refreshed (arrays, strings, trees, graphs)
• [ ] Identified weak areas

Week 2–3: Deep Dive

Technical

• [ ] 2–3 problems per day on weak patterns
• [ ] Study guide filled out for each problem
• [ ] Review previous solutions

Behavioral

• [ ] Practice delivering stories (record yourself)
• [ ] Prepare 3–5 questions to ask the interviewer
• [ ] Mock interview with friend or mentor

Week 4: Specifics

Technical

• [ ] System design concepts if interview includes it
• [ ] Review notes on patterns and mistakes
• [ ] Final practice problems (focus on accuracy, not speed)

Behavioral

• [ ] Company-specific questions prepared
• [ ] Practice answer to "tell me about yourself"
• [ ] Second mock interview

Week 5: Polish

Final Review

• [ ] Strongest stories polished and timed
• [ ] Technical edge cases reviewed
• [ ] Questions to ask (have 5–7 ready)
• [ ] Interview logistics confirmed (time, location/link, interviewer names)

Day Before

• [ ] Light review only
• [ ] Confirm logistics
• [ ] Get sleep

Interview Day

• [ ] Arrive 10 minutes early (or test tech setup)
• [ ] Smile (they can hear it in your voice)
• [ ] Ask clarifying questions before coding
• [ ] Think out loud
• [ ] Ask thoughtful questions
• [ ] Send thank-you note within 24 hours

Post-Interview

• [ ] Reflect on what went well and what didn't
• [ ] Update your notes for next interview
• [ ] Follow up as indicated