The honest playbook:

3-5 days before

  • Research the company. Recent news, product announcements, leadership team, recent funding (if relevant). Pick 2-3 specific things to reference.
  • Re-read the JD. Identify the three skills or experiences they care about most.
  • Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn. Note where they came from, how long they've been there, recent posts.
  • Map your three stories — STAR-format, with numbers — to the skills they care about.

1-2 days before

  • Rehearse "tell me about yourself" out loud. 90 seconds.
  • Practice 3-5 STAR answers for behavioral questions.
  • Write down 3-5 questions to ask. Specific to the role and company.
  • Prepare logistical things: outfit, route, what to bring, working camera/mic for virtual.

Day of

  • Eat something.
  • Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early (in person) or 2 minutes early (virtual).
  • Re-read your notes one more time.
  • Bring 3 printed copies of resume (in person).
  • Have a glass of water nearby.

What to research about the company

  • Recent product launches or announcements (last 6 months).
  • The team's mission and current focus.
  • Leadership — CEO, CTO, the hiring manager if known.
  • Recent funding (if a startup).
  • Reviews on Glassdoor / Blind — for vibe, not as gospel.
  • Their engineering blog or careers page — often the best source of authentic team voice.

What to prepare to talk about

  • Your three best stories. STAR format. With numbers. Each should hit a different theme (leadership, conflict, success, failure).
  • Why this specific role. One sentence connection.
  • Your "tell me about yourself" answer. 90 seconds.
  • Your weakness answer. Real, working-on-it, with example.
  • Your "why are you leaving / looking" answer. Move toward, not away.

Questions to ask

Have 5-7, ask 2-3 per round. See what questions to ask in an interview.

What to ask the recruiter beforehand

It's allowed and useful:

  • "How long is the interview?"
  • "Who will I be meeting with?"
  • "What's the format — coding, behavioral, system design?"
  • "What's the dress code?"

Recruiters give you better answers if you ask in advance.

Common mistakes

  • Over-preparing. Trying to memorize 30 answers makes you robotic.
  • Under-preparing the company. Generic flattery without specific references signals lack of effort.
  • Not asking about the format. Going into a panel interview thinking it's 1-on-1.
  • Day-of cramming. Last-minute prep is too late for the big lifts.

The bigger pattern

Preparation is the difference between a 60% chance and an 80% chance per interview. Interview rates × prep × volume = offers.

Sorce auto-applies to 5M+ jobs for you — 40 free swipes a day. More interviews to prepare for, more chances to convert.

For more: how to ace an interview, STAR method for interviews, tell me about yourself interview.