Most candidates prepare for hours… then lose momentum in the final 10 minutes before the interview. That last stretch is when nerves spike, your voice tightens, and your answers start to feel less polished.

Here’s a simple 10-minute pre-interview routine you can use before a virtual interview (or even a phone screen) to show up calm, clear, and confident.

1) Minute 0–2: Set your “one-sentence goal”

Write one line that answers:

• “What do I want them to believe about me by the end?”

Examples:

• “I’m a reliable operator who makes teams faster.”
• “I’m a thoughtful communicator who can handle ambiguity.”

This keeps your answers consistent and prevents rambling.

2) Minute 2–5: Rehearse 3 proof points (not 10)

Instead of reviewing your entire resume, pick three stories that prove you’re a great fit.

Use this quick structure:

• Challenge: What was at stake?
• Actions: What did you do?
• Result: What changed? (Add metrics if possible.)

Tip: Write a single bullet for each story so you can glance at it during a virtual interview without reading.

3) Minute 5–7: Warm up your voice and pace

Confidence is often heard before it’s understood.

Try:

• Read 4–5 sentences out loud at a slower pace than feels natural
• Do 2 “reset breaths” (inhale 4, hold 2, exhale 6)
• Practice your first 15 seconds: greeting + enthusiasm + role clarity

Example opener:

• “Hi [Name], thanks for meeting with me. I’m excited to learn more about the role and share how my experience in X can help with Y.”

4) Minute 7–9: Quick virtual setup check

Small friction = big distraction.

• Camera: eye level, clean background
• Lighting: face lit from the front (window or lamp)
• Notes: 3 proof points + 2 questions in a single doc
• Notifications: mute everything

5) Minute 9–10: Prepare 2 questions that sound like a peer

Strong questions create strong endings.

Try one role-focused and one team-focused:

• “What would success look like in the first 60–90 days?”
• “What do top performers on this team do differently?”

Bonus: The fastest confidence hack

Before you join, remind yourself: the interview is a two-way evaluation. You’re not trying to be perfect—you’re trying to be clear.

What’s your pre-interview routine—or the one thing you do right before an interview that makes the biggest difference?