You just got the call. Interview scheduled. One week from today. Your heart is racing, your palms are sweaty, and you’re thinking “Is one week enough time to prepare?”

Here’s the good news: yes, absolutely. One week is actually plenty of time if you use it strategically. I’ve put together a day-by-day plan that’ll take you from nervous candidate to confident interviewer in just seven days.

Let’s break down exactly what you need to do each day.

Day 1 (Monday): Research Everything About the Company

Today is all about becoming an expert on the company you’re interviewing with. You can’t fake genuine interest, and you definitely don’t want to walk in knowing nothing about who they are.

Morning: Deep Dive into the Company Website

Start with their website. I know, seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people skip this.

What to look for:

• About Us page: Read their mission statement, values, and company history. Write down anything that resonates with you personally.
• Products/Services: Understand what they actually do. If they sell software, sign up for a demo. If they’re in retail, visit their store or browse their online shop.
• News/Blog section: Read their recent announcements. Did they just launch something new? Win an award? Expand to a new market? These are gold for your interview.
• Team page: Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn if you know their name. See what their background is.

Take notes. I’m serious about this. Create a document and write down interesting facts, questions that pop up, and things you want to mention in the interview.

Afternoon: Check Out Their Social Media

Companies show their personality on social media in ways they don’t on their corporate website.

Where to look:

• LinkedIn: See what they’re posting about. Look at employee posts too – are people genuinely excited about working there?
• Instagram/Facebook: Get a feel for their culture and brand voice.
• Twitter/X: See how they interact with customers and what conversations they’re part of.
• YouTube: Watch any company videos, especially employee testimonials or “day in the life” content.

Why this matters: In your interview, you can say things like “I saw on your Instagram that you just launched your sustainability initiative – that really aligns with my values” instead of generic stuff like “I think your company is great.”

Evening: Read Reviews and News Articles

Time to see what others are saying about the company.

Resources to check:

• Glassdoor: Read employee reviews (but take them with a grain of salt – unhappy people are more likely to leave reviews)
• Google News: Search the company name and see what’s been written about them recently
• Industry publications: Are they mentioned in trade magazines or industry blogs?
• Reddit/Quora: Sometimes you find honest discussions about what it’s really like to work there

Red flags to watch for: If you see consistent complaints about the same issues (toxic culture, unethical practices, massive turnover), think carefully about whether this is really where you want to work.

Day 1 Checklist:

• ✅ Read entire company website
• ✅ Follow them on social media
• ✅ Read recent news articles
• ✅ Check Glassdoor reviews
• ✅ Create notes document with key facts

Day 2 (Tuesday): Analyze the Job Description and Update Your Materials

Today you’re going to dissect that job description and make sure everything about you screams “perfect fit.”

Morning: Break Down the Job Description

Pull up the job posting and really study it. Don’t just skim it like you did when you applied.

What to do:

1. Highlight key requirements: Circle or highlight every skill, qualification, and responsibility mentioned.
2. Identify the must-haves vs. nice-to-haves: Usually the top requirements are most important.
3. Note the repeated words: If they mention “teamwork” three times, that’s a big deal to them.
4. Look for pain points: Sometimes job descriptions hint at problems they’re trying to solve. “Must be able to work in fast-paced environment” might mean they’re understaffed or growing quickly.

Make a match list: Create two columns. On the left, write each requirement. On the right, write your specific experience that matches it. This becomes your cheat sheet for the interview.

Afternoon: Update Your Resume (Even If You Already Submitted It)

Bring a fresh, updated copy to the interview. Sometimes different people interview you, and they might not have seen your original application.

What to update:

• Tailor it to this job: Emphasize experiences that match what they’re looking for
• Add recent accomplishments: Anything new since you applied?
• Check for typos: Seriously, triple-check this. A typo on your resume is embarrassing when you’re sitting across from them.
• Print 3-5 copies: Bring them to the interview in a folder

Evening: Prepare Your “Greatest Hits” Stories

You need 5-7 solid stories from your experience that you can adapt to different questions. These should be your best examples of times you:

• Solved a problem
• Showed leadership
• Overcame a challenge
• Achieved something impressive
• Learned from a mistake
• Worked with a difficult person
• Met a tight deadline

Write them out using the STAR method:

• Situation: What was the context?
• Task: What needed to be done?
• Action: What did YOU do specifically?
• Result: What happened? Use numbers if possible.

Example: “At my previous job (Situation), we were losing customers due to slow response times (Task). I proposed and implemented a new ticketing system that prioritized urgent requests (Action), which reduced our average response time from 24 hours to 4 hours and increased customer satisfaction by 35% (Result).”

Day 2 Checklist:

• ✅ Analyzed job description thoroughly
• ✅ Created requirement-match list
• ✅ Updated and printed resume
• ✅ Wrote out 5-7 STAR stories
• ✅ Practiced saying stories out loud

Day 3 (Wednesday): Practice Common Interview Questions

Now that you know your stories, it’s time to practice answering actual interview questions.

Morning: Review the Most Common Questions

Start with the classics that almost every interviewer asks:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why do you want this job?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Why are you leaving your current job?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Why should we hire you?

Write out your answers. Don’t memorize them word-for-word (you’ll sound like a robot), but write out the key points you want to hit.

Afternoon: Practice Out Loud

This is where most people mess up. They think about their answers in their head but never actually say them out loud. Speaking your answers is completely different from thinking them.

How to practice:

1. Record yourself: Use your phone to record video or audio of yourself answering questions. Watch it back. I know it’s cringeworthy, but you’ll catch things like:
   • Saying “um” or “like” too much
   • Speaking too fast or too slow
   • Not making eye contact (if video)
   • Rambling without getting to the point
2. Practice with a friend or family member: Ask them to interview you. Even if they’re not in your industry, they can tell you if your answers make sense and feel natural.
3. Use our AI Interview Trainer: This is honestly the easiest way to practice. It asks you personalized questions based on your background, lets you answer via text or voice, and gives you instant feedback on what to improve. You can practice as many times as you want without bothering anyone.

Evening: Focus on the “Tell Me About Yourself” Answer

This is usually the first question, and first impressions matter. Your answer should be 60-90 seconds and cover:

• Where you are now professionally
• A brief career highlight or two
• Why you’re interested in this specific role

Practice this answer until you can say it smoothly without sounding rehearsed. It sets the tone for the entire interview.

Day 3 Checklist:

• ✅ Reviewed common questions
• ✅ Wrote out key points for answers
• ✅ Practiced out loud (recorded yourself)
• ✅ Did mock interview with friend/AI
• ✅ Perfected “Tell me about yourself”

Day 4 (Thursday): Prepare for Role-Specific and Technical Questions

Today is about getting ready for the questions that are unique to your industry and role.

Morning: Research Industry-Specific Questions

Different jobs have different typical questions. Do some googling:

• “Interview questions for [your job title]”
• “[Industry] interview questions”
• “What to expect in a [company name] interview”

For example:

• Software developers: Expect coding challenges, questions about specific languages, system design questions
• Teachers: Questions about classroom management, teaching philosophy, how you handle difficult students
• Sales: Questions about your sales process, how you handle rejection, your biggest deals
• Marketing: Questions about campaigns you’ve run, ROI metrics, creativity vs. data
• Healthcare: Questions about patient care, ethical dilemmas, stress management

Afternoon: Brush Up on Technical Skills

If your job requires specific technical knowledge, refresh yourself on it.

Actions to take:

• Review key concepts: If you’re rusty on something they might ask about, spend an hour refreshing your memory
• Practice technical tasks: Developers should do some coding problems, designers should review their portfolio, accountants should review recent regulation changes
• Prepare your portfolio: If applicable, have examples of your work ready to show on your laptop or tablet

Evening: Prepare Questions to Ask Them

At the end of almost every interview, they’ll ask “Do you have any questions for us?” This is NOT optional. Having no questions makes you look uninterested.

Good questions to prepare:

• “What does success look like in this role in the first 3-6 months?”
• “What are the biggest challenges facing your team right now?”
• “Can you describe the team dynamic and who I’d be working with most closely?”
• “What’s your favorite thing about working here?”
• “What opportunities are there for professional development?”
• “What are the next steps in the interview process?”

Questions to avoid:

• Anything about salary/benefits in first interview (unless they bring it up)
• Things easily found on their website (“What does your company do?”)
• Anything negative (“What’s the worst thing about working here?”)

Write down 8-10 questions. Some might get answered during the interview, so you want backups.

Day 4 Checklist:

• ✅ Researched role-specific questions
• ✅ Brushed up on technical skills
• ✅ Reviewed portfolio/work samples
• ✅ Prepared 8-10 questions to ask them
• ✅ Practiced technical scenarios

Day 5 (Friday): Do a Full Mock Interview

Today is dress rehearsal. You’re going to simulate the entire interview experience.

Morning: Set Up Your Mock Interview

If it’s a video interview:

• Test your technology (camera, microphone, internet connection)
• Check your background (clean, professional, no distractions)
• Adjust lighting (you should be well-lit, not backlit)
• Test the platform they’re using (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.)

If it’s an in-person interview:

• Plan your route and how long it takes to get there
• Do a test run if it’s somewhere you’ve never been
• Figure out parking or public transportation

Afternoon: Full Practice Interview

Time for the real deal practice. This should feel as close to the actual interview as possible.

How to do it:

1. Get dressed in your interview outfit (yes, really – we’ll talk about this tomorrow)
2. Set a timer for 45-60 minutes (typical interview length)
3. Have someone ask you questions OR use our AI Interview Trainer for a realistic experience
4. Answer like it’s real – don’t stop and restart, just keep going even if you mess up
5. Have them take notes on what you did well and what needs work

Focus on:

• Not saying “um” or “like” constantly
• Keeping answers concise (2-3 minutes max)
• Making eye contact
• Sitting up straight with good posture
• Speaking clearly and with confidence
• Smiling and being personable

Evening: Review and Refine

Watch or listen to your mock interview if you recorded it. I know it’s painful, but it’s incredibly valuable.

Ask yourself:

• Do I sound confident?
• Are my answers too long or too short?
• Am I giving specific examples or being vague?
• Do I sound enthusiastic about the job?
• Am I speaking clearly?

Make adjustments. If you notice you ramble, practice being more concise. If you’re too quiet, work on projecting your voice. If you seem nervous, practice more until you feel comfortable.

Day 5 Checklist:

• ✅ Tested technology (for video interviews)
• ✅ Planned route (for in-person interviews)
• ✅ Completed full mock interview
• ✅ Reviewed recording and identified improvements
• ✅ Practiced weak areas again

Day 6 (Saturday): Final Practice and Mental Preparation

You’re in the home stretch. Today is about doing one final practice round and getting yourself mentally ready.

Morning: One More Practice Session

Do one last practice interview, but keep it shorter than yesterday – about 30 minutes. Focus on:

• Your “tell me about yourself” answer (this should be smooth by now)
• The 3-4 questions you felt weakest on yesterday
• Your questions to ask them at the end

Use our AI Interview Trainer for this final session – it’ll give you fresh questions and instant feedback so you can make last-minute improvements.

Don’t over-practice. You don’t want to sound robotic. If your answers are flowing naturally, you’re ready.

Afternoon: Visualization and Confidence Building

This might sound touchy-feely, but visualization actually works. Athletes do it before competitions, and you can do it before your interview.

Spend 10-15 minutes:

• Close your eyes
• Picture yourself walking into the interview (or logging into the video call)
• Imagine yourself feeling confident and relaxed
• Visualize answering questions smoothly
• See yourself shaking hands at the end, feeling good about how it went

The goal: Your brain doesn’t know the difference between a vivid visualization and reality. When you actually walk in tomorrow, it’ll feel familiar and less scary.

Evening: Prepare Your Physical Materials

Get everything 100% ready so tomorrow morning is stress-free.

Create your interview folder/bag with:

• 5 printed copies of your resume on nice paper
• Printed job description
• Your list of references (typed and formatted)
• Professional notebook and working pen
• Your prepared questions written down
• Breath mints
• Portfolio or work samples if relevant
• A bottle of water

Set out your complete outfit:

• Everything from underwear to shoes
• Check for stains, wrinkles, loose buttons
• Make sure shoes are clean
• Have backup outfit ready just in case

Technology prep:

• Charge phone and laptop to 100%
• Test your alarm (set 2-3 backups)
• Save interview address/Zoom link where you can easily find it
• Clear your browser cache if doing video interview

Day 6 Checklist:

• ✅ Did final 30-minute practice
• ✅ Visualization exercise completed
• ✅ All materials prepared and organized
• ✅ Outfit laid out and ready
• ✅ Technology charged and tested
• ✅ Multiple alarms set

Day 7 (Sunday): Rest and Light Review

You’re almost there. Today is about making sure all the little details are handled so nothing surprises you on interview day.

Morning: Choose Your Interview Outfit

What you wear matters. You want to look professional and feel confident.

General rules:

• Corporate jobs (finance, law, consulting): Full suit, conservative colors
• Business casual (most office jobs): Dress pants/skirt with button-down or blouse
• Creative fields (marketing, design, startups): Business casual with a bit of personality
• Tech/startups: Nice jeans and a button-down might be fine, but when in doubt, go more formal

Specific tips:

• Try it on NOW: Make sure everything fits, is clean, and doesn’t need ironing
• Check for stains, loose buttons, or tears: Fix these today, not tomorrow morning
• Wear closed-toe shoes: And make sure they’re comfortable if you’ll be walking
• Keep jewelry minimal: Nothing too flashy or noisy
• Test sitting down: Make sure nothing is too tight or rides up awkwardly

For video interviews:

• Test what you look like on camera: Patterns can be weird on video; solid colors usually work best
• Only the top matters technically, but wear full professional outfit anyway: It affects your mindset

Afternoon: Prepare Your Interview Materials

Get everything ready so you’re not scrambling tomorrow morning.

Physical folder/bag with:

• 5 copies of your resume (printed on nice paper)
• Copy of the job description
• List of your references
• Notebook and nice pen for taking notes
• Breath mints (not gum)
• Your prepared questions list
• Portfolio or work samples (if relevant)

Digital preparation:

• Charge your phone and laptop fully
• Download any apps you might need
• Save the interview address/link somewhere easy to access
• Set multiple alarms for tomorrow morning

Evening: Review Your Notes One Last Time

Go through everything you’ve prepared this week:

• Company research notes
• Your STAR stories
• Common question answers
• Questions you want to ask
• Job description match list

Don’t try to memorize everything. Just refresh your memory. You want to sound natural, not like you’re reciting from a script.

Self-Care Time

This is important: do something relaxing tonight. You’ve been preparing all week, and you need to go into tomorrow feeling refreshed, not exhausted.

Good evening activities:

• Watch a comedy or favorite movie
• Take a long bath or shower
• Do some light exercise or yoga
• Listen to music
• Cook a nice dinner
• Go to bed early

Avoid:

• Staying up late cramming
• Drinking alcohol (you want to feel sharp tomorrow)
• Eating something that might upset your stomach
• Stressing yourself out by over-preparing

Day 6 Checklist:

• ✅ Chose and prepared interview outfit
• ✅ Packed interview materials
• ✅ Charged all devices
• ✅ Reviewed all notes
• ✅ Planned something relaxing
• ✅ Set multiple alarms

Day 7 (Interview Day): Execute with Confidence

This is it. You’ve prepared all week, and you’re ready. Today is about execution.

Morning Routine (2-3 Hours Before Interview)

Start your day calmly and with plenty of time. Rushing creates stress you don’t need.

Your morning checklist:

1. Wake up early: Give yourself extra time so you’re not rushed
2. Eat a good breakfast: Something with protein that won’t upset your stomach. Avoid too much coffee (you don’t want to be jittery).
3. Shower and get ready: Take your time. Looking good helps you feel confident.
4. Get dressed: Put on that outfit you prepared yesterday
5. Review your notes for 15-20 minutes: Quick refresh, don’t cram
6. Do a power pose: Sounds silly, but standing in a confident pose for 2 minutes actually helps. Try standing with your hands on your hips, shoulders back, for two minutes. It genuinely boosts confidence.

For In-Person Interviews

Leave extra early. Aim to arrive at the location 15 minutes before your interview time, which means leaving home way earlier than you think you need to. Traffic happens. Trains are late. You can’t control these things, but you can control when you leave.

What to do if you arrive too early:

• Don’t go in more than 10 minutes early (it can throw off their schedule)
• Wait in your car or find a nearby coffee shop
• Use this time to do some deep breathing and visualize success
• Check your teeth in a mirror
• Turn off your phone (or at least silence it)

When you arrive:

• Greet the receptionist warmly
• Use the bathroom (check your appearance one last time)
• Sit up straight while waiting
• Put your phone away completely
• Review your notes if you’re nervous

For Video Interviews

Log in 5 minutes early. Not 20 minutes early (you might interrupt their previous call), not right on time (seems rushed). Five minutes is perfect.

Your setup checklist:

• Close all other programs and browser tabs
• Put phone on silent and out of reach
• Put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door if you live with others
• Have a glass of water nearby
• Your notes should be visible but not obviously being read from
• Test your camera and microphone one last time
• Check your background one more time
• Take three deep breaths

During the Interview: Remember These Key Points

First impressions (first 30 seconds):

• Smile genuinely
• Make eye contact (or look at the camera for video)
• Firm handshake (not too hard, not too limp) for in-person
• Say something like “Thank you so much for meeting with me today. It’s great to be here.”

While answering questions:

• Pause and think before answering – it’s okay to take a second
• Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
• Use your STAR method stories
• Be specific with examples, not vague
• If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification
• It’s okay to say “That’s a great question, let me think for a moment”

Body language:

• Sit up straight, but not rigid
• Lean slightly forward (shows engagement)
• Use natural hand gestures when you talk
• Nod when they’re speaking
• Smile when appropriate
• Don’t fidget with your pen, jewelry, or hair

What to avoid:

• Interrupting them
• Speaking negatively about current/past employers
• Lying or exaggerating (they can tell)
• Checking your phone or watch
• Being too casual or using slang
• Rambling – keep answers under 3 minutes

When they ask “Do you have questions for us?”:

• Show genuine interest
• Ask 2-3 of your prepared questions
• Listen actively to their answers
• It’s fine if some of your questions were already answered – just say “I was going to ask about X, but you covered that earlier. Can I ask about Y instead?”

Wrapping Up the Interview

When the interview is ending:

• Thank them for their time
• Express your continued interest: “This conversation has made me even more excited about the opportunity”
• Ask about next steps: “What’s the timeline for the next steps in the process?”
• Shake hands and smile (in-person) or thank them warmly (video)
• Don’t linger too long – read the room

Immediately After the Interview

While it’s fresh in your mind:

• Write down the names of everyone you met (if you didn’t catch them, it’s okay to ask the receptionist)
• Note any specific topics or projects they mentioned
• Write down anything they seemed particularly interested in or concerned about
• Jot down your overall impressions

Within 24 hours, send a thank-you email:

Subject: “Thank you – [Position Title] Interview”

Dear [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today to discuss the [Position Title] role. I enjoyed learning more about [specific thing they mentioned – like a project, the team, or company initiative].

Our conversation reinforced my interest in the position. I’m particularly excited about [specific aspect of the job], and I believe my experience with [relevant skill/experience] would allow me to contribute meaningfully to [specific goal or project they mentioned].

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information from me. I look forward to hearing about the next steps.

Best regards, [Your name]

Keep it short, specific, and sincere. Generic thank-you emails don’t add value.

Day 7 Checklist:

• ✅ Ate a good breakfast
• ✅ Arrived early/logged in on time
• ✅ Made a strong first impression
• ✅ Answered questions confidently
• ✅ Asked thoughtful questions
• ✅ Sent thank-you email within 24 hours

After the Interview: What to Do While You Wait

The interview is over, but the process isn’t. Here’s how to handle the waiting period.

Don’t Obsess Over Every Detail

You’re going to replay the interview in your head. You’ll remember that one answer that wasn’t perfect. That’s normal, but don’t torture yourself. Everyone feels like they could have done better.

Continue Your Job Search

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Keep applying to other positions while you wait. It takes pressure off this one interview and gives you options.

Follow Up Appropriately

• If they said they’d get back to you in one week: Wait one week, then send a polite follow-up
• If they didn’t give a timeline: Wait about a week, then follow up
• Don’t follow up multiple times: One follow-up is professional, multiple seems desperate

Follow-up email template:

Subject: Following Up – [Position Title]

Hi [Name],

I wanted to follow up on my interview for the [Position Title] role on [date]. I remain very interested in the opportunity and excited about the possibility of joining your team.

If you need any additional information from me, please let me know. I’m happy to provide references or answer any other questions.

Thank you again for your consideration.

Best, [Your name]

Learn from the Experience

Whether you get the job or not, every interview makes you better at interviewing. Think about:

• What questions caught you off guard?
• Which answers felt strong?
• What would you do differently next time?

What If You Don’t Feel Ready After a Week?

Look, I get it. A week feels short. But here’s the truth: you’ll never feel 100% ready. There’s always one more thing you could prepare, one more question you could practice.

The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is to walk in there prepared enough to show your best self. And if you’ve followed this plan, you are.

Remember:

• They already think you’re qualified (that’s why they invited you)
• Nervousness is normal – they expect it
• Being authentic is more important than being perfect
• You don’t need to know everything – you just need to show you’re capable of learning
• If this job doesn’t work out, there will be others

Quick Tips for Last-Minute Nerves

If you’re reading this the night before or morning of your interview and feeling panicked:

Take 10 deep breaths. Seriously. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4, out for 4. It actually calms your nervous system.

Do a quick review:

• 5 minutes: Review company basics
• 5 minutes: Review your “tell me about yourself” answer
• 5 minutes: Review your 2-3 best STAR stories
• 5 minutes: Review the job description

Remind yourself:

• You’re qualified for this job
• They’re also nervous about finding the right person
• It’s a conversation, not an interrogation
• The worst that can happen is you don’t get this job and you apply to others
• You’ve prepared as much as you can

Physical tricks for confidence:

• Stand up straight
• Smile (even if you don’t feel like it – it tricks your brain)
• Listen to music that pumps you up
• Talk to yourself like you’d talk to a friend who’s nervous

Final Thoughts: You’re More Ready Than You Think

You’ve done the work. You’ve researched the company, practiced your answers, prepared your materials, and done mock interviews. That’s more preparation than most candidates do.

Walk into that interview room (or log into that video call) knowing that you’ve given yourself the best possible chance. Be yourself, be honest, and let your preparation shine through.

One week was enough. You’ve got this.

Need More Practice?

If you want to keep practicing right up until your interview, our AI Interview Trainer is available 24/7. It generates personalized questions based on your background, gives you instant feedback, and helps you refine your answers. You can practice as many times as you want – at 2 AM if that’s when you’re awake worrying about the interview.

Think of it as having an interview coach in your pocket, ready whenever you need it.

Good luck with your interview! Come back and let us know how it goes. And remember – even if this one doesn’t work out, every interview makes you better at the next one. You’re building a skill that will serve you for your entire career.

Now go show them what you’re capable of.