13 Last-Minute Interview Tips to Ace Your Job Interview!
13 Last-Minute Interview Tips to Ace Your Job Interview!
Table of Contents
How to Prepare for an Interview You Have Tomorrow
Essential Interview Timing and Logistics
Virtual Interview Setup for Success
Research Strategies for Last Minute Interview Preparation
Interview Questions and Answer Preparation
Last Minute Interview Hacks: Body Language and Presentation Tips
Final Interview Preparation Checklist
Got an interview tomorrow and you're panicking?
You're not alone.
Whilst ideal interview preparation takes weeks, you can still nail your interview with focused, strategic preparation in just 24 hours.
Research shows that targeted last-minute preparation can be surprisingly effective.
The key is focusing on high-impact activities rather than trying to learn everything about the company and role. Here's your science-backed guide to interview success when time is short.
Keep reading to learn how to prepare for an interview fast.
How to Prepare for an Interview You Have Tomorrow
When you discover you have an interview in less than 24 hours, your first instinct might be panic. Instead, channel that energy into focused preparation that actually works.
Focus on Crucial Topics, Not Everything
Research shows that attempting to learn everything creates cognitive overload and increases anxiety, whilst focusing on crucial topics reduces stress hormones and improves performance (Indeed, 2025).
When you have limited prep time, prioritise these essential areas:
Company overview and recent news
Job description requirements
Your most relevant experiences
Common interview questions for your role
This targeted approach prevents overwhelm whilst ensuring you cover the most important ground that interviewers expect you to know.
Use Stress-Reduction Techniques
Deep breathing exercises and other calming techniques lower cortisol levels, helping you think more clearly and perform better under pressure.
Spend 10 minutes on breathing exercises the night before and morning of your interview to optimise your mental state.
3 great breathing exercises to help with job interview anxiety:
Box Breathing (a.k.a. 4-4-4-4 breathing)
4-7-8 Breathing
Diaphragmatic (Belly) Breathing
Essential Interview Timing and Logistics
Confirm Interview Details and Arrive Early
Double-check the interview time, location, and format immediately. For in-person interviews, plan your route and add buffer time for unexpected delays.
Arriving 10-15 minutes early is optimal - it demonstrates punctuality and respect whilst giving you time to mentally prepare (Murray Resources, 2025).
Psychology research suggests that arriving too early can increase your stress and disrupt the interviewer's schedule, whilst being late creates anxiety and negative first impressions.
Last-minute logistics checklist:
Confirm exact address and room number
Test your journey time during similar traffic conditions
Prepare contact details for any delays
Plan what to do during your 10-15 minute early arrival window
Prepare for Different Interview Formats
Whether your interview is in-person, virtual, or hybrid, each format requires specific preparation that you can complete quickly.
Virtual Interview Setup for Success
Clean Your Background and Test Technology
Studies on first impressions reveal that environmental cues impact perceptions before you even speak.
A neat, distraction-free background signals professionalism and attention to detail, positively influencing interviewer judgments.
Quick virtual interview setup:
Choose a plain wall or professional virtual background
Test your camera angle and lighting
Ensure your internet connection is stable
Test audio and video quality with a friend
Close unnecessary applications to prevent notifications
Optimise Your Virtual Presence
Position your camera at eye level to maintain natural eye contact. Ensure adequate lighting on your face - a window behind your camera works well, or use a desk lamp. Test everything 30 minutes before the interview to resolve any technical issues.
Research Strategies for Last Minute Interview Preparation
Research Your Interviewers on LinkedIn
Knowing your interviewers helps create rapport through the similarity-attraction effect, in which people favour those who appear similar or share interests (Resufit, 2025).
This psychological principle can work in your favour even with minimal research time.
Quick LinkedIn research strategy:
Find your interviewers' profiles
Note shared connections, universities, or interests
Prepare 1-2 personalised icebreaker questions
Look for recent posts or achievements to reference
Research the Company Efficiently
Focus on information that directly impacts your interview performance rather than trying to memorise every company detail.
High-impact company research (30 minutes maximum):
Recent company news and achievements
Company mission and core values
Products or services most relevant to your role
Recent press releases or major announcements
Company culture insights from their website
Demonstrating knowledge of recent company milestones signals genuine interest and preparation, helping you stand out as engaged and prepared (Indeed, 2025; Robert Walters, 2023).
Study the Job Description Thoroughly
The job description guides interviewer expectations and provides a roadmap for your responses. Map your skills and experiences to the listed qualifications to prioritise your most relevant achievements.
Job description analysis strategy:
Highlight key skills and requirements
Identify 2-3 most important qualifications
Prepare specific examples demonstrating these skills
Note any unclear requirements to ask about
Interview Questions and Answer Preparation
Master Common Interview Questions Using the STAR Technique
Focus on the most frequently asked questions rather than preparing for every possible scenario.
Mastery of common questions like "Tell me about yourself" and STAR behavioural responses significantly reduces interview stress and enhances communication fluency (Columbia Southern University, 2019).
The STAR Technique for Behavioural Questions:
Situation: Set the scene and context
Task: Describe your responsibility or challenge
Action: Explain what you specifically did
Result: Share the outcome and what you learned
Practice Natural Responses, Don't Memorise Scripts
Avoid memorising answers word-for-word to prevent sounding robotic.
Instead, internalise key points and practice natural conversation flow to maintain authenticity (The Interview Guys, 2025; Columbia Southern University, 2019).
Effective practice method:
Write bullet points for each answer, not full scripts
Practice speaking your responses aloud
Time yourself to ensure concise answers
Record yourself to identify areas for improvement
Check Glassdoor for Interview Insights
Reading shared interview experiences reveals the company's interview style and potential challenges, providing insider knowledge about what to expect.
This also signals company culture and helps you anticipate which soft skills or values they emphasise.
Look for patterns in Glassdoor reviews about:
Common interview questions
Interview format and length
Interviewer style and expectations
Company culture insights
Last Minute Interview Hacks: Body Language and Presentation Tips
Master Confident Body Language
Nonverbal behaviours - eye contact, posture, facial expressions, and gestures - play a crucial role in interview success. Confident body language sends positive signals about competence and social skills, often influencing hiring decisions more than verbal content alone (University of Guelph study cited by HumanSmart, 2024).
Key body language elements:
Maintain steady eye contact (70-80% of the time)
Sit up straight with shoulders back
Use natural hand gestures when speaking
Smile genuinely when appropriate
Mirror the interviewer's energy level
Dress Appropriately for Success
Choose professional attire that fits well and makes you feel confident. When in doubt, slightly overdress rather than underdress. Lay out your outfit the night before to reduce morning stress.
Study Your CV and Match It to the Role
Be prepared to highlight parts of your CV that directly relate to the position. This supports compelling storytelling and enables you to answer behavioural questions convincingly by focusing on relevant experiences (Robert Walters, 2023).
CV review strategy:
Identify your 3 most relevant experiences
Prepare specific examples with measurable results
Practice explaining career progression logically
Anticipate questions about employment gaps or career changes
Know Why You Want the Job and Your Value
Understanding and articulating your motivation combined with your unique contributions resonates deeply with interviewers.
Motivation alignment research shows this helps shift perception from "just another candidate" to a potential asset (The Interview Guys, 2025).
Prepare your value proposition:
List 3 specific ways you can contribute to the role
Identify what genuinely excites you about the opportunity
Connect your career goals to this position
Prepare examples of similar value you've delivered previously
GRAMS METHOD
Prepare Thoughtful Questions Using the GRAMS Framework
Asking insightful questions demonstrates engagement and preparation whilst allowing you to evaluate company fit. Thoughtful dialogue fosters rapport and may positively influence hiring decisions by showing genuine interest.
The GRAMS Framework for Interview Questions:
GRAMS is a strategic questioning framework that helps you ask questions demonstrating strategic thinking rather than predictable queries like "What does a typical day look like?"
G - Goals: What are they truly trying to achieve?
R - Reality: What's their actual current situation and constraints?
A - Alternatives: What other approaches have they considered?
M - Motivations: What deeper drivers influence their decisions?
S - Solutions: What are their top challenges that need solving?
GRAMS-Based Questions to Ask:
Goals-Based Questions: "What are the main objectives this role needs to achieve in the next 12 months to support the company's growth?"
Reality-Based Questions: "What's the biggest challenge the company is currently facing, and how would this role contribute to addressing it?"
Alternatives-Based Questions: "How has the company adapted its approach to [relevant industry challenge] recently, and what's worked best?"
Motivations-Based Questions: "What's driving the company's decision to expand this team/hire for this role now?"
Solutions-Based Questions: "If this role could solve the top 3 business challenges facing your department, what would those be?"
These questions show you're thinking beyond surface-level job duties and considering the deeper business context.
Whilst other candidates ask about benefits and holidays, you're demonstrating strategic thinking that employers want to hire.
Final Interview Preparation Checklist
The Night Before Your Interview
Complete these tasks 12-24 hours before:
Research interviewers on LinkedIn
Review company website and recent news
Study job description and match your experience
Practice answers to common questions aloud
Plan your outfit and route
Prepare questions to ask
Get adequate sleep (7-8 hours minimum)
Morning of Your Interview
Final preparation steps:
Review your notes over breakfast
Practice confident body language in the mirror
Do 5 minutes of deep breathing exercises
Arrive at the location 10-15 minutes early
Use waiting time to review your key talking points
You’ve Only Got One Shot To Nail Your Next Job Interview
Get The Framework That Allows You To Walk In With The Confidence That You’ll Stand Out From A Sea Of Forgettable Applicants By Asking Great Questions That Actually Leave A Lasting Impression
The GRAMS Method is being used by professionals to to land their dream jobs with Fortune 500 companies and is ONLY availablewith this link
Last Minute Interview Success Psychology
The psychology of successful last-minute interview preparation centres on focused effort rather than comprehensive coverage. Research indicates that confidence and authenticity matter more than perfect knowledge of every company detail.
Your goal isn't to become an expert on everything - it's to demonstrate genuine interest, relevant qualifications, and cultural fit within the time constraints you have.
Managing Pre-Interview Nerves
Some nervousness is normal and can actually enhance performance by increasing alertness. Channel nervous energy into thorough but focused preparation rather than trying to eliminate anxiety completely.
Effective anxiety management:
Reframe nervousness as excitement
Focus on conversation rather than interrogation
Remember that interviews are two-way evaluations
Visualise successful interview scenarios
The Bottom Line on Last Minute Interview Preparation
Whilst ideal interview preparation takes time, strategic last-minute preparation can still lead to interview success.
Focus on high-impact activities, manage your stress effectively, and remember that authenticity and genuine interest often matter more than perfect preparation.
The key is working smarter, not harder, when time is limited.
By following this research-backed approach, you can walk into your interview tomorrow feeling prepared and confident.
Your 24-hour interview preparation timeline:
Hour 1: Research company and role
Hour 2: Study interviewer profiles and prepare questions
Hour 3: Practice common interview questions
Final hour: Review notes, plan logistics, and get organised
