We brief hundreds of candidates before their interviews. The advice we give is rarely complicated — but the candidates who follow it consistently do better. Here is the checklist we share.
Before the interview
Research beyond the website
Read the company's recent news, its products and, if it's listed, its latest results. Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn. Try to understand one challenge the business is facing right now — it gives you something real to talk about.
Re-read the job description — and your CV
Map each key requirement in the job description to a specific example from your experience. Then re-read your own CV. Interviewers will ask about anything on it, including that project from four years ago.
Prepare five stories
Most interview questions can be answered with a handful of well-prepared examples. Prepare stories about:
- A result you're proud of, with numbers if possible.
- A problem you solved under pressure.
- A disagreement you handled well.
- A mistake and what you learned.
- A time you led or influenced others.
Use a simple structure: the situation, what you did, and what happened as a result. Keep the focus on what you did.
On the day
For video interviews
- Test your camera, microphone and internet connection 30 minutes before.
- Sit facing a window or light source, with a plain background.
- Keep your phone on silent and notifications off.
- Have a copy of your CV and a notepad nearby.
For in-person interviews
- Plan your route and aim to arrive 10–15 minutes early — Gurugram traffic is not a reason interviewers accept.
- Carry printed copies of your CV and any documents you were asked for.
- Dress one level more formal than the company's everyday dress code.
The questions you ask tell the interviewer as much about you as the answers you give.
Questions worth asking
- What would success look like in this role after six months?
- What is the biggest challenge facing the team right now?
- How would you describe the way the team works together?
- What happened to the last person in this role?
- What are the next steps in the process?
After the interview
Send a short thank-you note on the same day, mentioning one thing you discussed. If you're working with a recruiter, call them straight after — honest feedback about how it went, including any concerns, helps us help you.
On salary
Be honest about your current compensation and realistic about expectations. If you're working through Qusere, let us handle the negotiation — it's part of our job, and we know the market range for the role.
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