How to Create an Interview Prep Guide for Candidates

Create an amazing candidate experience by setting expectations early on in the process. To do this, you and the function recruiting for a role will need to build out a complete prep guide that sets expectations, guides them through the process, and gives some helpful tips and tricks for interviewing. Here is a template:

📍 Thanks for taking the time to interview with us! We’re excited to learn more about your background and interests.

We know interviewing can be a stressful process, so we hope this will help eliminate any surprises, help you showcase your strengths, and present your best self during your interviews. We want you to feel supported and set up for success throughout this process.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your recruiting team!

💻 Note: All interviews will be conducted over [Video/Call Platform]

👋 Intro Call ([Length of Time]) A quick chat where we want to get to know you and your background/experience and what you're looking for in your next role. We also want to tell you more about [company] and the exciting projects we have coming up.

⌨️ Technical Assessment ([Length of Time]) - If applicable A technical assessment that will take about [Time] to complete in the stack we use internally at The goal of this exercise is to assess your ability to learn and make good software design decisions along the way.

🎈 High-Level Experience ([Length of Time]) This is a conversation with a team lead where we will start to dig deeper into your background and experiences. It’s also a chance for you to get to know your potential lead, more about the function, the responsibilities, and role better. ⚽️ Culture Interview([Length of Time]) This conversation is to get a gauge of how you work with others, the team, your motivations, and your interest in [company] and what we’re doing in relation to our core values here at [company]!

📊 Paid Case Study ([Length of Time]) - If applicable This involves ~3hrs of work, where you will work on a case study, and then you'll present your work to [add in interviewers titles] for 45 minutes.

🚀 Final Interview ([Length of Time]) You will have the opportunity to meet with [Interviewers] as the final step of our process. Please come prepared to discuss your experience, who you are, your interest in [company]/the opportunity, and any remaining questions you have about the role or [company]! 💫 Lastly You should receive feedback within [Number] of business days after your interview. Please reach out if you have any questions!

[ADD A PICTURE]

[Insert a quick description of how this function works together and how they work with the greater team]

Insert recent projects (use this as inspiration) that this function is working on that would get a potential hire excited. Below are a few examples. Please add looms + images + videos where applicable]

[Insert how the function plays a role in the product and where the passion comes from]

[Insert the processes and opportunity for research in the function]

[Insert a breakdown of the systems used by this function. Example: Design system by Design, Notion HQ by Community Team, etc.]

[Insert the technology stack we use and how we use is. Explain how we work through the challenges of these technologies and how they are a continuous opportunity to learn]

[Insert our contributions to open source and how that plays a role at Contra]

[Insert the process of putting together a launch video]

[Insert the strategy and growth of the community and how the community plays a role in the greater team]

[Insert the strategy and execution of our marketing efforts and how this translates into brand awareness, new user acquisition etc.]

Add pictures of the team

💻 Come prepared! Familiarize yourself with our Contra platform by creating your own profile.

📝 Bring great questions. Remember, this is an open book test, have them written out nearby so you don’t forget them!

🎧 Be sure to take some time before your interview to test your audio and video to make that everything is all set for your interview.

🤩 Most importantly, be yourself! We want to learn more about you.

[Add company values here]

[add company articles, blogs, links, videos, etc.]

[add pictures of recruiting team with emails with who they can contact]