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Ask HN: I have 24 hours to prepare for a job interview – advice?

8 points| jdthedisciple | 3 years ago | reply

In particular, the job is in a tech stack that I'm only entry-to-intermediate-level familiar with.

What's your advice?

10 comments

order
[+] NickRandom|3 years ago|reply
Is it a face to face or an online one?

If it is face to face - do a trial run on the route so that on the day you don't have the worry about where to go and how to get there. This reduces the source of stress with one less thing to worry about.

If it is remote - make sure that you can connect and see/hear/be heard. Most offer a test facility. Making sure that everything works on your end reduces the stress of trying to get things to work on the day.

Do a quick search on the company and glance through the Glassdoor / Fishbowl reviews.

Get a good nights sleep beforehand (as hard as it may be).

Knowing where to go or knowing that you can easily conect up for the remote interview allows you to focus on the important stuff (i.e. selling yourself and your abilities!).

Good luck, I hope it goes well.

[+] danwee|3 years ago|reply
In order:

- go out for a run

- get a hot shower

- eat well

- read a book (non-technical preferred) or listen music

- have a good sleep

- have a great breakfast

- go for a walk

When you are back home, join the video call and rock it!

[+] ggeorgovassilis|3 years ago|reply
Rehearse what you already know and go into the interview with solid knowledge of the claimed skill level. Be honest about your skill level. A good interviewer will spot fraud and disqualify you for it.
[+] beardyw|3 years ago|reply
My best results ever were from non technical questions I asked them. Show you want to understand them and what they do.
[+] jfrbfbreudh|3 years ago|reply
This only helps when you’ve already demonstrated technical competence or ability imo. The company I work for would immediately disqualify anyone who fails to meet the technical bar regardless of how interested they are in learning about our scaling goals.
[+] patatino|3 years ago|reply
Prepare for the two most important questions:

- Why are you a good fit for our amazing company?

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

[+] ggeorgovassilis|3 years ago|reply
These questions would be a red flag for me. I don't think they elicit useful information to prospective employers.
[+] ilovhn|3 years ago|reply
leetcode easy questions warmup