Lost your job: money checklist for the first two weeks
What to claim, what to pause and what to sign, day by day, when your income stops.
25 itemsStart
Job interview: the week before
A day-by-day plan for the 7 days before an interview, so nothing is left for the last night.
7 days out: understand the job (5)
- Print the job post and mark each skill they ask for
- Note one example of your work next to each skill
- Read the company site, recent news and what they sell
- Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn
- Ask the recruiter about the format, who you meet and how long it takes
5 days out: prepare your stories (5)
- Write 5 to 7 stories using STAR: situation, task, action, resultPut a number in each result when you can.
- Include one failure and what you changed afterwards
- Write a 60-second answer to "tell me about yourself"
- Answer "why this job" and "why are you leaving" without complaints
- Look up the pay range and decide your number
3 days out: practise out loud (4)
- Do one mock interview with a friend, or record yourself
- Practise technical or case questions, if the role has them
- Prepare 3 to 5 questions to ask themAbout the team, the first 90 days and how success is measured.
- Check your resume dates and numbers, so you can explain any line
The day before (6)
- Check the time, time zone, address or video link
- Test camera, microphone and internet; charge everything
- Plan your route to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
- Lay out your clothes
- Bring copies of your resume, ID, notes and a pen
- Stop preparing by evening and sleep
On the day and after (5)
- Eat something and leave early
- Listen fully before you answer, and take a pause if you need it
- Ask about the next steps and the timeline
- Send a short thank-you within 24 hours
- Note the questions you were asked, for next time
Written from nationalcareers.service.gov.uk