Interview checklists

One week before

• ≥ 90% ✅ on Basic and ≥ 75% ✅ on Intermediate in my branch bank
• Practised Advanced and Tricky questions out loud
• Can explain my top 2 projects in 2 min and in 10 min (problem, approach, my role, results, challenges, what I'd improve)
• 6 STAR stories ready
• Researched the company: products, competitors, recent news, values
• Completed at least 2 mock interviews
• Prepared 3 questions to ask the interviewer

Day before

• Resume printed (3 copies); every line on it is defensible
• Documents: ID, certificates, mark sheets, offer letters (if needed)
• Online interview: camera, mic, internet, lighting, quiet room, charged laptop
• Outfit ready; route and timing planned (arrive 15 minutes early)
• Light revision of ❌ questions only, then sleep 7–8 hours

During the interview

• Listen to the full question; ask for clarification if needed
• Think for 5–10 seconds before answering. Pausing is fine.
• Use D-E-E-T for technical questions and STAR for behavioral ones
• Draw diagrams and write equations when helpful
• If you don't know: be honest, then reason from fundamentals
• Keep eye contact and a calm tone, and show enthusiasm

After the interview

• Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours
• Note the questions you were asked and your weak spots
• Add new questions to the bank for next time

Interview preparation