The Ultimate Job Interview Checklist for UK Candidates
·CVCircuit Team
Interviews are won and lost in preparation. This checklist covers everything from the moment you receive the invitation to the follow-up email you send the day after. Use it before every significant interview.
When You Receive the Interview Invitation
- Confirm the date, time, location (or video link), and format in writing
- Find out who you will be meeting and their job titles
- Ask about the interview format (one-to-one, panel, competency-based, presentation, etc.)
- Check how long the interview is expected to last
- Ask if there is any preparation expected (task, presentation, reading)
- Request reasonable adjustments if needed
One Week Before
Company research:
- Re-read the company website, especially About Us, news, and mission/values
- Read recent press coverage (search the company name in Google News)
- Review the company's LinkedIn page and recent posts
- Read Glassdoor reviews for culture themes
- Research each interviewer on LinkedIn
- Understand the competitive landscape (who are their main competitors?)
- For public companies: read the annual report or investor materials
Role preparation:
- Re-read the job description line by line
- Map your experience to every listed requirement
- Identify any gaps and prepare how to address them
Answer preparation:
- Prepare STAR examples for eight to ten competencies
- Prepare your "tell me about yourself" summary (two to three minutes)
- Prepare your answer to "why do you want this job?"
- Prepare your answer to "what is your biggest weakness?"
- Prepare for "where do you see yourself in five years?"
- Prepare five to seven questions to ask
Logistics:
- Plan your journey (in person) or test your technology (video)
- Confirm what to bring (CV copies, portfolio, notebook)
- Confirm your outfit and check it is clean and ready
Two to Three Days Before
- Do at least one mock interview out loud
- Review your key stories until they flow naturally
- Check your video setup if the interview is online
- Write down your two or three most important messages to convey
- Research salary benchmarks if this might come up
The Day Before
- Review your preparation notes (company, role, your stories)
- Confirm the interview time and logistics
- Prepare what you are wearing
- Plan your sleep — get to bed at a reasonable time
- Avoid heavy preparation the night before — you should be resting, not cramming
The Morning Of
- Eat a proper meal (not on an empty stomach, not too heavy)
- Avoid excessive caffeine
- Take a brief look at your three key preparation notes — company, role, your strongest story
- Check your interview materials are ready to go
- Leave (or log on) with plenty of time to spare
In the Interview
- Breathe slowly when you feel anxious
- Listen carefully before answering each question
- Pause briefly before answering if needed
- Use STAR structure for competency questions
- Make eye contact (with each panellist in a panel interview)
- Ask your prepared questions at the end
- Confirm next steps before leaving
Within 24 Hours of the Interview
- Send a thank-you email to the main interviewer or recruiter
- Reference something specific from the conversation
- Reaffirm your genuine interest in the role
- Note anything you would do differently for next time
If You Do Not Hear Back
- Wait the timeframe indicated before following up
- One polite follow-up email or call is appropriate
- If rejected, request feedback promptly and listen to it
After the Process
- Update your interview question bank with what was asked and how you answered
- Note any gaps in preparation for future interviews
- Update your CV and LinkedIn profile with any achievements mentioned in the interview
Use CVCircuit to ensure your CV is as well-prepared as your interview — specific, achievement-focused, and positioned perfectly for the roles you are targeting.