You finally got the interview. Now what?

Your phone lights up:
“Hi, we’d love to invite you for an interview.”

Your heart skips a beat — excitement, nerves, and maybe even panic.

Now comes the part that no one really prepares you for: how to actually prepare.

As a career coach, I’ve seen one pattern over and over again:
People go into interviews hoping they’ll say the right thing — instead of knowing what to say.

And that’s exactly what this post is here to fix.

Why Most People Struggle in Interviews

Let me be blunt:
If you walk into an interview with vague answers, no examples, and no research — you’re just one of many.

Interviewers want clarity.
They want energy.
And they want stories that make you stand out.

The good news?
You don’t need a 100-page prep document. You just need the right framework — and time to practice it.

The 24-Hour Mock Interview Strategy (That Works Every Time)

Here’s the strategy I use with all my clients — especially those who are short on time but still want to show up sharp.

1. Research the Role & Company (30–45 mins)

• Go through the job description — highlight key responsibilities and skills.
• Visit the company’s website. Understand what they do, who their clients are, and what their values are.
• Search “[Company Name] interview questions” on Glassdoor or Reddit — goldmine!

Pro tip: Try to match your skills/stories to the job description as directly as possible.

2. Use the STAR Method to Structure Your Stories

If your answers sound like:

“I worked on a project that was really successful, and yeah, it went well…”

Then we need to fix that.

Instead, use the STAR method:

• Situation – What was the context?
• Task – What was your responsibility?
• Action – What did you do?
• Result – What happened because of your actions?

Practice 3–5 real stories from your past — projects, teamwork, challenges — using this structure.

3. Schedule a Mock Interview (Ideally Within 24 Hours)

This is the step most people skip — and it’s the game changer.

With my clients, I offer mock interview sessions within 24 hours of being notified.
Why? Because real prep means real feedback.

We go over:

• How you answer questions
• Where you hesitate
• What words to replace
• How to sound confident but not robotic

Even one session can make a massive difference.

4. Prep Your Questions Too

Yes, you should ask questions too.

Hiring managers often judge your seriousness based on the quality of your questions.
Some good ones:

• “What does success look like in this role after 90 days?”
• “What challenges is the team currently facing?”
• “How would you describe the team culture here?”

Avoid: “What’s the salary?” in the first round.

5. Visualize, Breathe, and Trust Your Work

The night before your interview:

• Don’t cram. Review your STAR stories.
• Visualize yourself answering confidently.
• Get a good night’s sleep.

And remember – you’ve prepared. Now let the conversation flow.

Final Thoughts: You’re Closer Than You Think

The job market feels noisy, and interviews can feel scary — but you’re not starting from scratch. You have stories. You’ve done the work.

You just need to package it right.

If you have an interview coming up and want someone to walk through it with you – I offer 1:1 mock interview coaching, customized to the job you’re applying for.

👉 Book a intro call with me – https://calendly.com/sareenthecoach/job-search-navigator-consultation-website

You’re just one great conversation away from your next offer.