Most large employers interview in stages. Knowing what each stage is for helps you prepare the right way, and preparation is the single biggest thing you control.
The usual stages
- Recruiter phone screen (15 to 30 minutes): a check of your background, interest, location or remote setup, work authorization and pay expectations.
- Hiring manager interview: a deeper look at your experience and how you would approach the role.
- Skills round: a coding exercise, case study, writing sample, presentation or practical test, depending on the job.
- Panel or "onsite" loop: several back-to-back interviews with future teammates, often on video.
Answer behavioral questions with STAR
Questions that start with "Tell me about a time…" are asking for evidence. Answer with the STAR structure:
- Situation: the context, in a sentence or two.
- Task: what you were responsible for.
- Action: what you did. Say "I", not "we".
- Result: what happened, with a number if possible, and what you learned.
Prepare six to eight stories you can adapt: a success, a failure, a conflict, a tight deadline, leading without authority, and learning something fast.
Research before you go in
- Re-read the job posting and match each requirement to an example from your experience.
- Read the company's recent news, products and mission, and look up your interviewers on LinkedIn.
- Know the pay range. Many postings now include one, so you can answer the pay question with confidence. See our salary negotiation guide.
Video interview basics
Test your camera, microphone and connection beforehand, use a quiet room with light in front of you, close other apps, and keep a copy of your resume and notes nearby.
Questions to ask them
- What does success look like in the first 90 days?
- What is the team working on right now, and what is the hardest part?
- How is performance reviewed, and how do people grow here?
- What are the next steps, and when should I expect to hear back?
Follow up
Send a short thank-you email within a day. Mention something specific from the conversation and restate why you want the role. If you have not heard back by the date they gave, a polite check-in is fine.
Openings you can apply for now
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