A practical guide to help you prepare for interviews with clarity and confidence.
The Selfish Reason I Created This Checklist
As a headhunter, it’s painful to see great candidates fail for avoidable reasons. Brilliant, experienced people often walk into interviews unprepared, assuming experience and natural communication will carry them. It rarely does.
Preparation is not about memorising answers — it’s about clarity. Be clear about your purpose: know what you want to say, how you will say it, and how it connects to what matters to the employer. Preparation also helps you stay present in the conversation. Instead of searching your memory for details you already know, you can listen, connect, and think clearly.
How to Use This Guide
Write brief notes and give yourself 2–3 days of light preparation before the interview. Add thoughts during a commute, a walk, or between tasks, and let your message settle.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing for Interviews
Step 1: Be ready to walk someone through your CV
Do it with clarity and purpose. Know why you’re where you are now, and why this role would be a meaningful next step. Think of it as your professional storyline — a path that connects the dots and shows what drives you. Don’t get lost in the details; that’s often the hardest part. That’s why this section needs practice.
Step 2: Do your research — know the company you are applying to
- Review the company website, social channels, and recent news.
- Understand what the company does, who the customers are, and where it sits in the market.
- Study the role: what problems does it solve and how does it add value?
- Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn or the company site to understand who you will meet.
Step 3: Build your Interview Proof Points
Early in my career, when I was applying for jobs, someone introduced me to the idea of Interview Proof Points. It worked so well that I’ve been recommending it ever since. It’s a simple, structured document that helps you prepare for interviews with concise, well-crafted answers to typical questions. Each answer should have a clear beginning, middle, and end — the STAR method will help with that (I’ll explain it below). Practise your answers out loud until they sound natural, and create a version of this document for each role you interview for.
Before we get to the proof points: if there’s one thing that frustrates me most during interviews, it’s when candidates don’t actually answer the question that was asked. So, start here:
- Make sure you understand the question. If you’re unsure, it’s absolutely fine to ask for clarification.
- Stick to what’s been asked. Don’t drift into unrelated topics.
- Avoid over-explaining. Too much background will bury your main point.
The STAR Method gives you a simple way to structure your answers and avoid these mistakes. If you’ve ever been through an audit, you might remember the golden rule: answer what was asked, and nothing more. The same applies here. When answering a question, move through these four steps naturally — it helps you stay focused, show structure in your thinking, and communicate your impact clearly. I often suggest closing with: “Would you like me to expand on any part of that?” It keeps the conversation balanced.
Situation: describe the context.
Task: explain your responsibility or goal.
Action: outline what you did.
Result: highlight the measurable outcome.
Interview Proof Points — Part 1: General questions
1. Introduce yourself.*
2. Walk us through your professional path and why you changed roles.
3. Why are you open to new challenges now?
4. Why would you like to work at our company?
5. What about this position appeals to you?
6. What motivates you at work?
7. What new learning opportunity would this role bring?
* 95% of interviews start with this simple request. Have no more than five sentences ready. This is not the time to walk them through your CV — that will come later. Make it memorable, and include something personal you’re comfortable sharing.
Interview Proof Points — Part 2: Role-specific questions
I won’t get into role specifics here — ChatGPT makes an excellent partner for that. Share the job description and ask for role-specific interview questions. Add the best ones to your checklist. This is also why I suggested earlier that you keep an Interview Proof Points document saved on your computer for each role you apply for, it helps you stay organised and ready for every opportunity.
Step 4: Get your presence right
It takes real self-awareness to read a situation and use your body language intelligently, and it’s hard to develop that sense on your own. If interviews don’t come naturally, practise with a friend sitting opposite you to simulate the real situation. Notice how you enter, sit, listen, and speak. Ask for honest feedback: do you project confidence, curiosity, and clarity? Small adjustments make a big difference.
This is even more crucial online. Be conscious of your posture — leaning back in a comfortable armchair sends the wrong signal. If helpful, conduct the interview standing; it naturally increases focus and energy.
The basics:
- Dress for the culture, but stay authentic. It’s fine to slightly overdress, the opposite is rarely a good idea.
- Keep an open posture, maintain eye contact, and use calm gestures. If the role calls for it, use power poses smartly — when appropriate, and with awareness. (For many women this takes more intention, as it often comes more naturally to men.)
- For online interviews: test your video, sound, and connection. Choose a quiet, well-lit space and turn off notifications.
Step 5: Prepare to have smart questions
Near the end, interviewers often invite your questions. Many candidates are caught off guard, which is understandable after a demanding conversation. And that’s exactly why it’s worth preparing for. Having one or two relevant questions that were not covered signals engagement and curiosity. It’s also fine to say, “Thank you, I don’t have any questions at this stage,” if that’s true.
Step 6: Stay connected after the interview
Send a short thank-you note after the interview but make it a thoughtful one. It’s not about formality, it’s about connection. If the discussion increased your motivation, say so. It shows appreciation and professionalism.
Keep it brief and specific, not pushy or empty. Confirm you understood the role, restate your interest, mention one thing you appreciated, and say you look forward to hearing back.
A Few Smart Extras That Make a Big Difference
Be authentic.
Many candidates try too hard to say what they think the interviewer wants to hear. They hide their doubts or reservations instead of expressing them confidently. That’s a mistake. Showing that you’re thoughtful — even uncertain about a few aspects — doesn’t weaken your profile; it makes you real and trustworthy. It also helps build long-term credibility. Few things leave a worse impression than a candidate who appears perfect and highly motivated, only to withdraw at the final stage for unexpected reasons. The business world is small — you never know when you’ll meet the same people again.
Your online presence matters
Assume someone will look at your public profiles if the role is important. Review what’s visible: posts, photos, comments, tone. Make sure LinkedIn reflects how you want to be seen and that nothing undermines your credibility.
Panel or multi-stage interviews
Be concise and inclusive with multiple interviewers. Make eye contact with everyone, take brief notes if useful, and keep answers crisp. Keep a short list of topics you’d like to cover at the end.
Salary and market awareness
Know your range and how you define total compensation. When asked, state a range confidently and explain the factors that influence your flexibility. I realise that this topic deserves a post of its own — salary expectations, timing, and tone matter. I’ll return to it in a separate guide.
Practice, practice, practice!
I can’t emphasise this enough. Do at least one mock interview. Record yourself or ask a friend to play interviewer. Working with a coach is even better. Review your pace, tone, and clarity. You’ll spot small habits you can improve quickly.
Interviewing for a C-Level Role? Watch Out for These Mistakes
C-level interviews require a deep understanding of business drivers, financial awareness, and strategic thinking. From my experience, these are some of the most common — and most embarrassing — mistakes senior candidates make:
1. Not knowing your own numbers
Be ready to talk confidently about the scale and scope of your previous responsibilities — budgets managed, company revenue, headcount, and the KPIs you influenced. Not knowing these details undermines credibility. Clear, factual answers show that you understand the business impact of your work.
2. Not knowing the company’s numbers
For Managing Director, CEO, or Finance Director roles, you’re expected to walk into the first interview already familiar with the company’s publicly available financials: balance sheet, income statement, and revenue trends. If something looks unclear, acknowledge it early and ask thoughtful questions, it signals maturity and strategic thinking.
I’ve seen even strong CEO and CFO candidates reach the offer stage before reviewing the company’s financials. When they finally did, they found issues that should have been raised much earlier. From the client’s perspective, it naturally raises questions: if this mattered so much, why wait until now? Did you not do your homework? Were we wasting our time? If your research shows the opportunity isn’t right for you, step back early. Raising red flags at the end helps no one.
I’d Love to Hear How This Checklist Works for You
If you try this checklist and want to share your experience or feedback, drop me an email – I’ll be grateful to learn from your perspective.
Quick Interview Prep Check
Before the Interview
☐ Research the company — website, market, competitors, and recent news
☐ Review publicly available financials (balance sheet, income statement, key ratios)
☐ Clarify what success looks like in this role and how you could add value
☐ Prepare your five-sentence self-introduction (not a CV summary)
☐ Update your Interview Proof Points document for this specific role
Your Track Record
☐ Know your numbers — budgets, revenue, headcount, KPIs, and key results
☐ Prepare 3–5 STAR-based examples that show leadership impact and outcomes
☐ Be ready to explain your career story: why this role is a meaningful next step
Presence & Communication
☐ Practise your interview with a trusted peer; test your body language and tone
☐ Dress for the culture, stay authentic, and check your setup if online
☐ Be mindful of posture and pace; let curiosity and confidence come through
☐ Review your online presence — LinkedIn, posts, tone, and visibility
During the Interview
☐ Listen carefully and answer what was asked — no more
☐ Keep your answers concise and structured (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
☐ Make eye contact with everyone, even in panel interviews
☐ Ask 2–3 relevant questions that weren’t already covered
After the Interview
☐ Send a short, thoughtful thank-you note within 24 hours
☐ Reflect: what went well, what to refine next time
☐ Record key learnings and insights for follow-up or future interviews
