Interview Tips: What to Do Before, During & After to Land the Job

You got the interview. Now comes the part that determines whether you get the offer.

The stats are sobering:

• Average of 6-8 candidates interviewed per position
• 47% of interviews are rejected within the first 5 minutes
• 33% of hiring managers know if they'll hire someone within 90 seconds
• But 92% of candidates who prepare thoroughly report feeling more confident and performing better

The interview is your chance to go from paper to person, from resume bullets to compelling stories, from candidate to future employee.

This complete guide covers exactly what to do before, during, and after your interview to maximize your chances of landing the job.

Before the Interview: Preparation (Days 1-7)

The interview starts long before you walk into the room. Preparation is the difference between feeling confident and feeling panicked.

Research the Company (2-3 hours)

Don't just skim the About page. Go deep:

1. Understand the Business

• What do they sell? To whom?
• What's their business model?
• Who are their competitors?
• What's their market position?
• Recent news, funding rounds, or product launches?

Sources:

• Company website (especially "About," "News," "Blog")
• LinkedIn company page
• Crunchbase (for startups)
• Recent news articles
• Annual reports (for public companies)

2. Understand Their Culture

• Company values (stated vs. actual)
• Glassdoor reviews (read critically)
• Employee reviews and testimonials
• Social media presence
• How they communicate publicly

3. Understand the Role

• Read the job description 3+ times
• Identify top 5 required skills
• Note specific tools, technologies mentioned
• Understand what success looks like in the role
• Research typical salary range (Glassdoor, Levels.fyi)

Example research notes:

Company: TechFlow Inc.
What they do: B2B SaaS project management for enterprise
Recent news: Series B $50M (Dec 2025), expanding to Europe
Competitors: Asana, Monday.com, ClickUp
Culture: Fast-paced, data-driven, remote-first
Values: Customer obsession, transparency, ownership

Role: Senior Product Manager
Key requirements: 5+ years PM, B2B experience, SQL knowledge
Success metrics: Ship features on time, hit adoption targets
Reports to: VP Product
Team size: 15 engineers, 2 designers, 3 PMs

Red flags from reviews: Fast-paced can mean overwork
Green flags: Strong glassdoor reviews on growth opportunities

Research Your Interviewers (30-60 minutes)

Find out who you're meeting:

• Check their LinkedIn profiles
• Read articles they've written
• Find common connections
• Note their career path
• Understand their role at the company

Why this matters: You can reference their work, find common ground, and tailor your answers to their perspective.

Example: "I saw on LinkedIn that you led the migration to microservices at your previous company. I'd love to hear about that experience, as I'm working on a similar initiative."

Prepare Your Stories (3-4 hours)

Use the STAR method to prepare 10-15 stories:

STAR Framework:

• Situation: Context, background
• Task: Your specific responsibility
• Action: What you did (focus here)
• Result: Quantifiable outcome

Categories to prepare:

1. Leadership (3 stories)

• Led a team through challenge
• Resolved conflict
• Motivated underperforming team member

2. Problem-Solving (3 stories)

• Solved difficult technical/business problem
• Made decision with incomplete information
• Overcame major obstacle

3. Achievements (3 stories)

• Exceeded goals significantly
• Launched successful initiative
• Turned around failing project

4. Failure/Learning (2 stories)

• Mistake you made and learned from
• Project that failed and what you'd do differently
• Received critical feedback and improved

5. Collaboration (2 stories)

• Worked across teams
• Influenced without authority
• Built consensus among disagreeing stakeholders

Example STAR story:

Question: "Tell me about a time you had to influence stakeholders without direct authority."

Situation: "At TechCorp, I was a junior PM working on a feature that required engineering resources from three different teams—none of which reported to me."

Task: "I needed to get buy-in from three engineering managers to prioritize my feature in their roadmaps."

Action: "First, I researched each team's current priorities and pain points. Then I scheduled 1-on-1s with each manager to understand their concerns. I discovered they were all struggling with technical debt. So I proposed a phased approach: if they helped me with my feature, I'd help them get approval for tech debt work by showing how both initiatives improved system performance. I created a shared doc outlining benefits to all teams and presented it to our VP Engineering."

Result: "All three teams agreed. We delivered the feature on time, and they completed their tech debt work. The feature drove 23% increase in user engagement, and system performance improved by 35%."

Why it works:

• Specific situation
• Clear challenge (no authority)
• Detailed actions taken
• Quantified results
• Shows collaboration, problem-solving, creativity

Prepare Questions to Ask (1 hour)

You need 10-15 questions because:

• Some will be answered during the interview
• Different questions for different interviewers
• Shows you're thoughtful and engaged

Questions by category:

About the Role:

• "What does success look like in this role in the first 90 days?"
• "What are the biggest challenges facing this role right now?"
• "How does this role interact with [other teams]?"
• "What's the typical day-to-day look like?"

About the Team:

• "How is the team structured?"
• "What's the team's current top priority?"
• "How does the team handle disagreements about priorities?"
• "What's the engineering-to-PM ratio?"

About Growth:

• "What learning and development opportunities are available?"
• "What does career progression look like for this role?"
• "How are performance reviews conducted?"

About Culture:

• "How would you describe the team's working style?"
• "What do you wish someone had told you before joining?"
• "How does the company support work-life balance?"

About the Business:

• "What are the company's top 3 priorities this year?"
• "How has the company changed in the past 12 months?"
• "What's the biggest risk facing the company right now?"

For Your Specific Interviewer:

• "I saw you've been here 3 years—what's kept you engaged?"
• "What's been your favorite project to work on here?"
• "How has your role evolved since you joined?"

Red flags if they can't answer:

• Vague on role expectations → Unclear role definition
• Defensive about challenges → Poor culture
• Can't explain team structure → Disorganized
• No clear growth path → Limited advancement

Practice Common Questions (2-3 hours)

The classics you WILL be asked:

1. "Tell me about yourself"

Bad answer: "I graduated from Stanford in 2018, then worked at Google for 3 years as a PM, then moved to a startup..."

Good answer (2-minute pitch): "I'm a product manager with 6 years building B2B SaaS products. I started at Google working on analytics tools, where I learned how to build at scale—one feature I launched serves 10M users daily. I moved to a startup to get closer to customers and own end-to-end product development. There, I took a product from $0 to $5M ARR by talking to 200+ customers and iterating quickly. Now I'm looking for a role where I can combine that scale expertise with startup speed—which is why this role at TechFlow is exciting to me."

Why it works:

• Concise (under 2 minutes)
• Shows progression and purpose
• Highlights relevant achievements
• Connects to THIS role

2. "Why do you want this job?"

Bad answer: "I'm looking for new opportunities and this seemed like a good fit."

Good answer: "Three reasons: First, the problem you're solving—project management for enterprise—is exactly the space I'm most passionate about after spending 4 years in it. Second, I'm excited about the growth stage. Series B is that sweet spot where there's product-market fit but lots of room to shape direction. Third, your focus on Europe expansion aligns with my experience launching products in international markets. I led EMEA expansion at my last company and grew it from $0 to $8M ARR."

Why it works:

• Specific to company
• References your research
• Shows alignment of skills and opportunity
• Genuine enthusiasm

3. "What's your biggest weakness?"

Bad answers:

• "I'm a perfectionist" (cliché)
• "I work too hard" (not believable)
• "I don't have any major weaknesses" (delusional)

Good answer: "I tend to jump into execution mode before fully gathering input from stakeholders. Early in my career, I'd get excited about an idea and start building before socializing it. I learned this the hard way when I spent 2 weeks on a prototype that my engineering lead had concerns about—concerns I would've discovered in a 30-minute meeting. Now I force myself to do stakeholder interviews before any major initiative. It slows me down initially but saves time in the long run."

Why it works:

• Real weakness (over-eagerness)
• Shows self-awareness
• Demonstrates growth
• Specific example and learning

4. "Why are you leaving your current job?"

Bad answers:

• Badmouthing current employer
• "I hate my boss"
• Being too honest about negative aspects

Good answer: "I've learned a ton at CurrentCo—I went from PM to Senior PM and launched 3 products. But we're now in maintenance mode after being acquired. I'm looking for an environment with more room to innovate and take ownership of strategic direction. That's what excites me about TechFlow—you're in growth mode and there's opportunity to shape the product roadmap."

Why it works:

• Positive framing
• Shows growth mindset
• Future-focused
• Connects to new opportunity

5. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

Bad answer: "I want to be a VP or start my own company." (Implies you won't stay long)

Good answer: "In 5 years, I want to be the go-to product leader for enterprise SaaS at a scaling company. I see this role as perfect foundation—I'd spend the first 2 years mastering your product and problem space, then naturally take on more strategic ownership, maybe leading a product area or mentoring junior PMs. Long-term, I want to be somewhere I can grow without needing to leave."

Why it works:

• Ambitious but realistic
• Shows commitment
• Aligns with company trajectory
• Mentions growth at THIS company

Technical Preparation (If Applicable)

For technical roles, prepare:

Software Engineering:

• Practice 20-30 LeetCode problems (medium difficulty)
• Review data structures and algorithms
• Practice coding on whiteboard or collaborative editor
• Prepare to explain past projects in technical detail
• Review system design concepts for senior roles

Product Management:

• Practice product design questions ("Design X for Y")
• Prepare market sizing/estimation questions
• Review basic SQL (if required)
• Practice prioritization frameworks
• Prepare to discuss metrics and analytics

Data Science:

• Review statistical concepts and ML algorithms
• Prepare to explain past projects and modeling choices
• Practice SQL and Python coding
• Be ready to discuss A/B testing and experimentation
• Prepare case study approach

The Day Before: Final Prep

Logistics checklist:

• Confirm interview time (set 2-3 calendar reminders)
• Confirm location (if in-person) or video link (if remote)
• Test technology (camera, mic, wifi) for video interviews
• Plan your route (arrive 10-15 min early)
• Prepare outfit (professional, comfortable, interview-ready)
• Print extra copies of resume
• Prepare notebook and pen for notes
• Charge phone and laptop fully

Mental prep:

• Review your STAR stories
• Re-read job description
• Review company research notes
• Practice your 2-minute pitch
• Get good sleep (8 hours)

During the Interview: Performance

Your preparation meets reality. Here's how to perform at your best.

The First 5 Minutes (Critical)

47% of interviews are decided in the first 5 minutes. Make them count.

1. Make a strong entrance

• Arrive 10 minutes early (not 30, not 2)
• Greet reception warmly
• Turn off phone completely
• Take a bathroom break beforehand

2. Nail the first impression

• Firm handshake (if in-person)
• Eye contact and smile
• Confident posture
• Warm, genuine energy

3. Small talk matters

• Be pleasant with everyone (reception, recruiter, interviewer)
• Show interest in them ("How's your day going?")
• Notice something in their office or background ("I see you're a [sports team] fan!")

4. Start strong

• When they ask "How are you?" don't just say "fine"
• Try: "I'm great—really excited to be here. I've been looking forward to this conversation since I learned about the role."

Answering Questions: The Framework

Every answer should follow this structure:

1. Pause before answering (1-2 seconds)

• Shows you're thoughtful
• Gives you time to organize your thoughts
• Prevents rambling

2. Direct answer first

• Answer the question in one sentence
• Then provide supporting details

Example: Question: "Have you managed a team before?" Bad: "Well, at my first job I worked with interns, and then later..." Good: "Yes, I've managed teams ranging from 3 to 12 people. Let me give you an example..."

3. Use STAR for behavioral questions

• Situation (brief context)
• Task (your responsibility)
• Action (what YOU did - most important)
• Result (quantified outcome)

4. Keep answers to 2-3 minutes max

• Set a timer and practice
• If you're talking more than 3 minutes, you're rambling
• Watch for signs they're ready for you to wrap up

5. End with a bridge or question

• "Does that answer your question, or would you like me to elaborate on any part?"
• "That's one example—would you like to hear about another situation?"

Body Language and Presence

Do:

• Maintain eye contact (70-80% of the time)
• Lean slightly forward (shows engagement)
• Nod when they're speaking (shows active listening)
• Mirror their energy level
• Use hand gestures naturally (not excessively)
• Smile genuinely

Don't:

• Cross your arms (appears defensive)
• Fidget with pen, hair, or jewelry
• Check your phone or watch
• Interrupt them
• Look at the floor or ceiling while thinking
• Slouch or lean back (appears uninterested)

Virtual Interview Tips

Technical setup:

• Camera at eye level (stack books under laptop)
• Good lighting (face a window or use a lamp)
• Clean, professional background
• Test everything 30 minutes before
• Have backup plan (phone number in case video fails)

Virtual-specific tips:

• Look at camera when speaking (not screen)
• Mute notifications completely
• Use headphones for better audio
• Sit close enough to camera (chest up visible)
• Keep water within reach but out of frame

Energy matters more virtually:

• Project 20% more energy than feels natural
• Enunciate clearly
• Pause slightly longer for lag
• Use more vocal variety

Handling Difficult Questions

"I don't know" is acceptable:

Bad approach: Trying to fake knowledge or making up an answer

Good approach: "I don't have deep experience with [topic], but here's how I'd approach learning it..." or "I'm not familiar with that specific framework, but I've used something similar..."

When you need to think: "That's a great question—let me think about that for a moment." (Pause 5-10 seconds)

Clarifying questions are smart: "Just to make sure I understand the question—are you asking about [restate question]?"

The impossible question: Some questions are designed to see how you think, not to get the "right" answer.

Example: "How many golf balls fit in a school bus?"

Approach:

1. Break it down: "Let me start with some assumptions..."
2. Show your thinking: "A school bus is roughly X feet long..."
3. Work through the math: "So if each dimension..."
4. Arrive at an answer: "That gives me approximately..."
5. Acknowledge limitations: "Of course, this assumes perfect packing..."

They're evaluating your process, not your answer.

Reading the Room

Good signs:

• They're engaged and asking follow-up questions
• They're selling you on the role and company
• They ask about your timeline and other interviews
• They discuss next steps
• Interview runs over time (in a good way)

Warning signs:

• Short, perfunctory answers
• Looking at watch or clock
• Not asking follow-up questions
• Cutting interview short
• Not discussing next steps

If you sense it's not going well:

• Stay professional and engaged
• You might be misreading signals
• Even if this role doesn't work out, you're building relationships

Your Questions (Last 15 Minutes)

This is as important as answering their questions.

Don't:

• Ask questions answered on their website
• Ask only about salary, benefits, time off (save for offer stage)
• Ask nothing (shows lack of interest)

Do:

• Ask 3-5 thoughtful questions
• Take notes on their answers
• Build on their responses ("That's interesting—can you tell me more about...")
• Ask different questions to different interviewers

Example flow: You: "What does success look like for this role in the first 90 days?" Them: [answers] You: [takes notes] "That's helpful. You mentioned onboarding to the codebase is a priority—what's the typical ramp-up time for new engineers?"

Strong final question: "Based on our conversation today, do you have any concerns about my fit for this role?"

Why it's powerful:

• Shows confidence
• Gives you chance to address concerns
• Demonstrates you want the job
• Memorable closing

Ending Strong

As the interview concludes:

1. Express genuine interest "I've really enjoyed our conversation. This role is exactly what I'm looking for, and I'm excited about the possibility of working together."

2. Ask about next steps "What are the next steps in your process?" "When can I expect to hear back?"

3. Thank them "Thank you so much for your time today. I really appreciate the thoughtful questions and the insight into the role."

4. Firm goodbye

• Handshake (in-person)
• Eye contact and smile
• Use their name: "Thanks again, Sarah."

After the Interview: Follow-Up

The interview isn't over when you leave the room. Your follow-up can be the tiebreaker.

Immediately After (Within 1 Hour)

1. Take detailed notes While fresh in your mind:

• What questions were asked
• Your answers
• Their responses
• Concerns they raised
• Key information about role/company
• Names and titles of interviewers
• Promised next steps and timeline

2. Self-assess

• What went well?
• What could you improve?
• Any concerns you didn't address?
• Questions you wish you'd asked?

The Thank-You Email (Within 24 Hours)

This is mandatory. 68% of hiring managers say they've eliminated candidates who didn't send thank-you notes.

Template:

Subject: Thank you - [Role] Interview

Hi [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about the [Role]
position. I really enjoyed learning about [specific thing discussed] and
hearing about [team/project/company initiative].

Our conversation reinforced my excitement about the opportunity. I'm
particularly drawn to [specific aspect of role] and believe my experience
with [relevant skill/achievement] would allow me to contribute immediately
to [team goal/company priority you discussed].

I also appreciated your insight on [something specific they mentioned]. It
gave me a clearer picture of [company culture/role expectations/team
dynamics].

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information.
I'm very interested in this opportunity and look forward to hearing about
next steps.

Thanks again for your time.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Why this works:

• Sent within 24 hours (shows promptness)
• References specific conversation points (not generic)
• Reiterates interest and fit
• Brief (under 200 words)
• Professional but warm

Customize for each interviewer: If you met with multiple people, send individual emails referencing your specific conversation with each person.

The Waiting Period

Timeline expectations:

• Initial response: 1-2 weeks
• Full process: 2-6 weeks on average
• Startups: Faster (1-3 weeks)
• Large companies: Slower (4-8 weeks)

What to do while waiting:

1. Follow up appropriately

• If they said "we'll be in touch by Friday" and Friday passes → wait until Monday to follow up
• First follow-up: 1 week after promised timeline
• Second follow-up: 1 week after first

Follow-up template:

Subject: Following up - [Role] Interview

Hi [Name],

I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [Role] position on [date].
I remain very interested in the opportunity and would love to know if there
are any updates on the hiring timeline.

Please let me know if you need any additional information from me.

Thank you,
[Your Name]

2. Keep interviewing elsewhere

• Don't put all your eggs in one basket
• Continue applying and interviewing
• Use each interview to improve

3. Continue improving

• Reflect on your performance
• Practice answers that felt weak
• Update your interview notes

Handling Rejection

If you get a "no":

1. Respond gracefully

Thank you for letting me know. I'm disappointed, of course, but I appreciate
the time you took to consider my candidacy. I really enjoyed learning about
[Company] and hope we can stay in touch for future opportunities.

Would you be open to sharing any feedback on my interview? I'm always
looking to improve.

2. Ask for feedback (they may not provide it, but worth asking)

• "What skills could I develop to be a stronger candidate?"
• "Were there any specific concerns about my fit?"

3. Stay connected

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow the company
• Reapply in 6-12 months if still interested

4. Learn and move on

• What could you improve?
• Was this role actually the right fit?
• What will you do differently next time?

Getting the Offer

When they extend an offer:

1. Express enthusiasm (even if you need to negotiate) "Thank you so much! I'm very excited about this opportunity."

2. Get it in writing "Could you send over the written offer? I'd like to review all the details."

3. Ask for time to review "Could I have [2-3 days] to review the offer and get back to you?"

4. Don't immediately accept

• Review compensation, benefits, equity
• Research market rates
• Consider negotiating (most companies expect it)
• [Read our salary negotiation guide]

5. Be professional throughout

• Even if you decline, do it gracefully
• You may cross paths with these people again
• Reputation matters

Interview Tips by Role Type

Phone/Video Screen (30 min)

Purpose: Preliminary check on fit

What they're evaluating:

• Basic qualifications
• Communication skills
• Red flags
• Whether to invest time in full interview

Tips:

• Be concise (answers under 2 minutes)
• Have resume in front of you
• Professional environment
• Enthusiasm matters even more

Technical Interview

Purpose: Assess technical skills

What they're evaluating:

• Problem-solving approach
• Technical knowledge
• Communication while coding
• How you handle hints

Tips:

• Talk through your thinking
• Ask clarifying questions
• Test your code
• Acknowledge tradeoffs
• Be honest about what you don't know

Behavioral Interview

Purpose: Assess past performance and culture fit

What they're evaluating:

• How you handle challenges
• Collaboration skills
• Values alignment
• Leadership potential

Tips:

• Use STAR method religiously
• Be specific (names, numbers, details)
• Focus on YOUR actions
• Show growth from failures

Case Interview (Consulting, Product, Strategy)

Purpose: See how you think through business problems

What they're evaluating:

• Structured thinking
• Business acumen
• Communication
• Creativity

Tips:

• Ask clarifying questions first
• Structure your approach before diving in
• Think out loud
• Synthesize at the end

Panel Interview

Purpose: Efficient way to get multiple perspectives

What they're evaluating:

• Everything (it's multiple interviews at once)

Tips:

• Make eye contact with everyone (not just questioner)
• Direct answers to asker, but scan others
• Remember everyone's names and roles
• Show you can handle pressure

Final Interview Checklist

1 Week Before:

• Research company thoroughly
• Research interviewers on LinkedIn
• Prepare 10-15 STAR stories
• Prepare 10-15 questions to ask
• Practice common questions

1 Day Before:

• Confirm time and location/link
• Test technology (if virtual)
• Prepare outfit
• Review notes
• Get good sleep

Day Of:

• Eat a good meal
• Arrive 10 minutes early
• Bring resume copies and notebook
• Turn off phone
• Be warm with everyone

Immediately After:

• Take detailed notes
• Send thank-you emails (within 24 hours)

During Wait:

• Follow up at appropriate intervals
• Continue other job searches
• Reflect and improve

The Bottom Line

Interview success comes down to:

Preparation:

• Research company and role deeply
• Prepare 10-15 STAR stories
• Practice common questions
• Have thoughtful questions ready

Performance:

• Strong first impression
• Structured answers (STAR method)
• Engaging body language and energy
• Thoughtful questions

Follow-up:

• Thank-you email within 24 hours
• Appropriate follow-ups
• Graceful handling of outcomes

The most important tip: Be genuinely interested and authentic. Preparation should make you more yourself, not less.

Next Steps

Ready to ace your next interview?

1. Optimize your resume with Pronto - A great resume gets you the interview
2. Read our resume tips guide - Build a resume that lands interviews
3. Master cover letter writing - Pair your resume with a compelling letter
4. Check out AI resume tools - Leverage AI to prepare faster

Pronto helps you prepare for interviews by analyzing job descriptions and suggesting relevant stories and examples from your background. Get personalized interview prep in minutes.