2026 Interview Preparation Guide: STAR Method, AI Mock Interview, Video Interview and Salary Negotiation Tips
How to prepare for a job interview? This article covers the STAR question answering framework, AI mock interview tool, practical video interview, and salary negotiation skills, with a 1-week preparation checklist and post-interview follow-up process.
Table of Contents
1. Comprehensive preparation before the interview
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Research the company in depth
Understand the company's mission, products, corporate culture, recent news and competitors, and show your sincerity and interest
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Analyze job description
Compare the job requirements and your experience one by one, and prepare examples corresponding to each keyword
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Prepare to introduce yourself
Use 60-90 seconds to succinctly introduce your background, core competencies and why you are suitable for this position.
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Mock interview practice
Find friends or use online tools to conduct mock interviews, and record and review them to improve your expression.
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Prepare a list of questions
Prepare 3-5 high-quality questions to show your in-depth thinking about the position
Tip
- Confirm the interview time, location, interviewer's name and contact information the day before the interview
- Be prepared with a concise personal story that illustrates your values and work style
Important Notes
Don’t just prepare answers and neglect to ask questions. Good questions can show your depth of thinking and initiative
2. Build a great resume
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Quantify results
Let’s talk with numbers, change “improve performance” to “increase team performance by 35% within 6 months”
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Customized content
Adjust resume focus for each position to highlight the most relevant experiences and skills
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use action verbs
Describe experiences starting with active verbs such as "leading", "establishing", "optimizing" and "promoting"
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keep it lean
It is generally recommended to have 1-2 pages, and no more than 3 pages for experienced people. Every line must have value
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Professional format
Use consistent fonts and spacing to ensure it displays correctly on different devices
Tip
- Ask a trusted friend or professional to review your resume
- Make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors, this is a basic display of professionalism
Important Notes
Never lie on your resume. Background checks are becoming more common, honesty is the best policy
3. Common interview question types and response frameworks
| question type | Sample questions | answer frame |
|---|---|---|
| introduce yourself | please introduce yourself | Present-past-future: Current role → Relevant experience → Why are you interviewing? |
| behavioral interview | Please give an example of how you resolve conflicts | STAR method: Situation (S) → Task (T) → Action (A) → Result (R) |
| Situational questions | What would you do if you encountered this situation? | Analyze the problem → List the options → Choose the best → Explain the reasons |
| Advantages and Disadvantages | What is your biggest weakness? | Answer truthfully but strategically, emphasizing the specific actions you are taking to improve |
| Motivational question | Why do you want to join us | Demonstrate sincere interest in combining company characteristics with personal development goals |
| Pressure questions | What is your expected salary? | Understand the market conditions first, give a reasonable range and express flexibility |
Tip
- Limit each answer to 1-3 minutes to avoid being lengthy
- Prepare at least 5 STAR stories covering different competency aspects
4. Strategies for coping with different interview formats
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one-on-one interview
The most traditional form, focusing on building a personal connection, paying attention to eye contact and body language
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Many-to-one interviews
When facing multiple interviewers, look at the questioner when answering questions, but also make eye contact with other interviewers when appropriate.
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Video interview
Make sure the network is stable, the background is clean, there is adequate lighting, and face the camera rather than the screen to simulate eye contact
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group interview
When interviewing with other candidates, balance your performance by showing leadership but respecting what others have to say.
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technical interview
Explain your thinking process while doing it. Even if the answer is not perfect, it is more important to show your problem-solving thinking.
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case interview
Focus on analytical framework and logical reasoning to show the interviewer your structured thinking ability
Tip
- Test equipment 15 minutes before video interview
- Prepare a quiet environment and backup plan
5. Nonverbal communication in interviews
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a confident handshake
Use moderate force, hold the handshake for 2-3 seconds, make eye contact and smile
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open attitude
Sit upright but relaxed, place your hands naturally, and avoid defensive gestures such as crossing your arms
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eye contact
Maintain natural eye contact for about 60-70% of the conversation and avoid staring all the time or not looking at all
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Moderate gestures
Use natural gestures to assist expression and increase the vividness of communication, but avoid excessive exaggeration
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smiles and expressions
A genuine smile can bring you closer, maintain a friendly but professional expression during the interview
Tip
- Take a few deep breaths to relax your body before the interview
- Arrive at the interview location 5-10 minutes early to give yourself time to adjust.
Important Notes
Avoid small movements caused by excessive nervousness, such as frequently touching your hair, shaking your body, or staring at the table
6. Key steps after the interview
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thank you letter
Send a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview, thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your interest and suitability
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reflective record
Record the questions you were asked during the interview, your responses, and areas for improvement
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Moderate follow up
If the estimated response time is exceeded, send a polite follow-up email asking about progress
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continuous delivery
Don’t pin all your hopes on one opportunity, keep applying for other suitable positions
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Learn and grow
Every interview is a learning opportunity and you can gain experience even if you are not admitted.
Tip
- The thank you letter can add important information that was not mentioned in the interview.
- Stay positive, job hunting is an ongoing process
7. 2026 AI Mock Interview Tool: You can practice at home
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How to practice with ChatGPT
Prompt: "You are the interviewer for [position]. Please ask me 5 questions as interview questions based on the requirements of the position. Give me a STAR structure score after I answer them."
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Practice frequency recommendations
30 minutes a day for 1 week before the interview, repeat the recording and playback to look for catchy catchphrases, redundant words, and speaking speed issues
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Practical preparation for AI interviews
If the company uses an AI interview platform such as HireVue, practice speaking to the camera, keeping a smile, and answering questions within the time limit.
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Blind spots in AI scoring
AI cannot assess personality fit and soft skills, and executive interviews are still key. Use AI training as a warm-up, don’t rely too much on it
| tool | feature | cost | Suitable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interview Warmup (Google) | Free, with instant ML feedback | Free | Chinese and English exercises |
| Yoodli AI | Video recording + expression analysis | Free / $24/month | Video interview group |
| Verve AI Coach | Resume import and personalization | $15/month | white collar jobs |
| ChatGPT/Claude | Dialogue simulation + open-ended exercises | Free / $20/month | High flexibility and freedom |
| 104 Resume Health Checkup | Localization, artificial + AI hybrid | Free | Taiwan job seekers |
| Big Interview | Massive question bank + simulation videos | $39+/month | Senior position |
8. 1-Week Interview Preparation Checklist: Just Follow It
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Day 1-2: Research Phase
Company official website, annual report, news, Glassdoor reviews, LinkedIn executive background, competitor analysis
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Day 3: Customized preparation
Self-introduction 60-90 seconds (present-past-future), 5 STAR stories, keywords corresponding to JD
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Day 4-5: Simulation exercise
AI simulation + practice with friends, video playback, complete simulation at least 2-3 times
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Day 6: Detailed preparation
3-5 high-quality questions, clothing/transportation/equipment inspection (video interview), physical resume printing for backup
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Day 7: Psychological construction
Go to bed early, avoid staying up late to prepare, and confirm the time and place 1 day in advance. Arrive 30 minutes before the same day
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Post-Interview: Follow Up
Send a thank you letter within 24 hours. If there is no response after 1 week, you can follow up politely.
Tip
- Establish an interview preparation checklist (company information, job matching, questions, self-introduction, STAR story), and go through one round before each interview
- If there are multiple interviews at the same time, prepare a dedicated Notion / Google Doc for each company for centralized management.
Key Takeaways
- 1 Conduct in-depth research on the company and position, and prepare customized preparations for each interview
- 2 Use the STAR rule to structure your answers to behavioral interview questions
- 3 Pay attention to non-verbal communication, body language accounts for more than half of the first impression
- 4 Send a thank you letter within 24 hours after the interview to show professionalism and sincerity
- 5 Every interview is a learning opportunity, continue to optimize your performance
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