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First Interview Checklist

What to do before, during and after a first interview — so no strong candidate is lost to sloppiness.

  • Estimated time: 5 min
  • Updated for 2026

Fill it in your browser, then download it — or print it and complete it by hand.

First Interview Checklist

Before, during and after a first interview — so no strong candidate is lost to sloppiness. Keep it on your desk: the candidate is assessing you, too.

01

Before — fifteen minutes of prep

02

During — a fair, useful hour

03

After — before you do anything else

The three rules that matter most

  • Score before you talk to other interviewers — the first voice moves every other score.
  • Momentum closes candidates; drift loses them. Move within the week.
  • Every interview is also the candidate deciding about you.
First Interview Checklisthrbamboos.com
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