Landing a great interview often comes down to consistent, repeatable prep—not cramming for hours the night before. If you’re short on time (or just want a simple framework), try this 15-minute routine before every interview. It works for virtual, phone, and in-person conversations—and it keeps you focused on what actually moves the needle.

1) Anchor your story in one sentence (2 minutes)

Before you dive into details, define your “throughline.”

• One-sentence pitch: “I help ___ by doing ___, which leads to ___.”
• Pick 1–2 strengths you want them to remember (e.g., stakeholder management, problem-solving, speed of execution).

This prevents rambling and makes your answers feel cohesive.

2) Prepare 3 proof points (5 minutes)

Instead of memorizing dozens of answers, choose three versatile stories you can adapt to many questions.

Use a simple STAR structure:

• Situation: What was happening?
• Task: What was your responsibility?
• Action: What did you do (be specific)?
• Result: What changed? Quantify if possible.

Pro tip: Write down the result first (e.g., “reduced churn by 12%”) and work backward. Results are what interviewers remember.

3) Predict the top 5 questions (4 minutes)

Pick five likely questions based on the role and your resume. Common ones:

• “Walk me through your background.”
• “Why this role/company?”
• “Tell me about a challenge/conflict.”
• “Describe a time you led/influenced without authority.”
• “What would you do in your first 30/60/90 days?”

For each, jot 3 bullet points—not a script. Scripts sound scripted.

4) Upgrade your first impression (2 minutes)

First impressions are formed fast. Do a quick check:

• Voice: Slow down 10% and add a pause before key points.
• Body language (virtual): Sit tall, shoulders relaxed, look at the camera when delivering your main points.
• Environment: Clean background, good lighting, notifications off.

If you can, do a 30-second test recording on your device. It’s the fastest feedback loop.

5) Bring 2 high-impact questions (2 minutes)

Strong questions signal seniority and genuine interest.

Try one from each category:

• Role success: “What does success look like in the first 90 days, and how will it be measured?”
• Team/process: “Where does the team feel bottlenecks today, and how could this role help?”

Avoid questions that are easily answered on the website—save those for later.

Your turn

If you had 15 minutes to prep before an interview, what part would you spend the most time on—and why?