Interviews can feel like a performance—especially on camera. The good news: you don’t need a two-hour prep marathon to show up confident. You need a repeatable routine that steadies your nerves, sharpens your answers, and improves your first impression.

Why a short routine works

When you’re anxious, your brain looks for certainty. A consistent pre-interview routine creates predictability, which helps you sound clearer, think faster, and avoid “blanking” mid-answer.

A simple 10-minute routine (try it before every interview)

1) Minute 1: Reset your breathing

• Try box breathing: inhale 4 seconds → hold 4 → exhale 4 → hold 4 (repeat)
• Goal: slow your pace so you don’t start the interview at “fast-forward” speed

2) Minutes 2–4: Warm up your voice (yes, really)

• Read one short paragraph out loud (any text)
• Practice saying your opening line: “Thanks for having me—excited to learn more about the role.”
• Tip: If it’s a virtual interview, check that your mic isn’t causing you to speak louder than normal

3) Minutes 5–7: Review your “3 stories” bank

Pick three STAR stories you can adapt to multiple questions:

• A win (impact/result)
• A challenge (conflict/constraint)
• A learning moment (mistake → improvement)

Use a quick checklist:

• Situation/Task: one sentence each
• Action: 2–3 specific steps you took
• Result: numbers if possible, or clear outcomes

4) Minutes 8–9: Set your camera + body language cues

In virtual interviews, your nonverbals carry extra weight.

• Camera at eye level, not laptop-below-chin level
• Light in front of you, not behind you
• Posture cue: feet grounded + shoulders back + hands visible (reduces fidgeting)
• Place a sticky note near the camera: “Look here.”

5) Minute 10: Choose your “anchor” mindset

Pick one sentence that guides your tone:

• “I’m here to help them solve a problem.”
• “Curiosity over perfection.”
• “Speak slowly and land the point.”

Bonus: Two questions to ask that instantly raise your signal

When it’s your turn, try one of these:

• “What does success look like in the first 60–90 days?”
• “What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?”

They invite specifics—and give you a clean opening to connect your experience to their needs.

What’s in your pre-interview routine today—and which part do you wish you did more consistently?