Preparing for interviews without paying for coaching
Everything in the library for the interview itself — question banks, mock practice, technical drills, and the salary conversation at the end. All free, all hand-picked, ordered the way I'd prepare someone the week before.
Interviews reward rehearsal more than talent. Write out six stories from your own work, each with the situation, what you did and what changed, and practice saying them out loud until they take ninety seconds. Those six stories will answer most of what you're asked.
Then practice against a real human or a mock tool below, because the gap between knowing an answer and saying it well is where offers are lost. Record yourself once — it's uncomfortable and it's the fastest correction you'll get.
Prepare the money conversation before you need it. Know your number, know the range for the role, and practice saying it in one calm sentence. Candidates who rehearse this once are rarely the ones who accept less than they should.
Recruiting tools, interview prep, and 1:1 investment banking mentors for students targeting IB, PE, and elite finance roles.
Why I recommend it: If you are targeting investment banking, private equity, or elite finance roles, StreetSmart gives you structured prep and access to mentors who have actually worked in those rooms.
Real, crowd-sourced compensation data so you negotiate with numbers, not nerves.
In plain terms: This website provides salary and benefits data across different companies, job titles, and career levels. You can compare compensation numbers and research pay to help negotiate your next job offer.
From the site: Search 1M+ data points for different companies, job titles, career levels, and locations. Explore our tools to help you get paid more!
Why I recommend it: Bring a range, not a single number, and anchor it to this data.
A simple worksheet for building repeatable stories for behavioral questions.
In plain terms: This guide explains how to use the STAR method to answer behavioral job interview questions. You can use the step-by-step instructions and examples to prepare clear, structured stories about your past work experience.
From the site: Use the STAR interview method to craft simple but impressive answers to the most common interview questions—especially ones that begin with “Tell me about a time…”
Why I recommend it: Write six stories. They will cover about 80% of the questions you get.
A common interview question bank aimed at all industries, not specific to any technical field.
Why I recommend it: If you are not studying algorithms, the usual question banks will frustrate you. This one is built for real job seekers in real industries.
Slide deck of advice from working technology architects and engineers: how to open strong, when to ask clarifying questions, what depth is expected at junior vs. senior level, and how to talk through architecture, scaling, and performance.
In plain terms: This slide deck shares advice from working tech professionals on handling technical interviews. Use it to learn how to explain your coding process, tackle tough questions, and tailor your answers for junior or senior roles.
Why I recommend it: Lead with your strongest projects — interviewers dig into whatever you highlight.
Slide guide to the tools that tell you what a role actually pays — Levels.fyi for role-level comp, Numbeo for cost-of-living context, Glassdoor for company intel — plus the mindset and mechanics of negotiating an offer.
In plain terms: This guide reviews tools for researching pay rates and local living costs. You can use it to determine your minimum compensation and prepare to negotiate your salary and benefits.
Why I recommend it: Pair one role-level pay tool with one cost-of-living tool before you ever name a number.
AI Resume & Interview Tool Picks (from the AI Job Search Tools guide)
The resume-writing and AI-interview sections of my AI tools guide: ATS-friendly resume builders and graders (Reactive Resume, Resume Worded, Rezi, Kickresume, Teal) plus mock-interview coaches (Yoodli, Exponent, Verve, Huru, Final Round).
In plain terms: This guide features free and low-cost AI tools for resumes and job interviews. You can use them to build and score ATS-friendly resumes or practice mock interviews with automated coaching.
Why I recommend it: Use the resume graders before you apply anywhere — the fastest wins usually come from fixing weak verbs and missing metrics, not from a new template.
WIRED report on candidates using AI to answer interview questions while employers use AI to screen and score them, and what that arms race does to hiring.
Why I recommend it: Know the screening you are up against, then be the human in the room. Over-scripted AI answers are exactly what these systems flag.
A candidate-reported database of companies that stopped responding after interviews. You can search employers or submit an anonymous report of your own.
From the site: Ghosted after a job interview? Submit an anonymous report and see which companies candidates say stopped responding after interviews.
Why I recommend it: Being ghosted is not a reflection of your worth. Check a company here before you invest in a five-round process, and log your own experience so the next person walks in informed.
A LinkedIn article by Alex Pyatkovsky on what interviewing with more than 100 companies in a single year revealed about how hiring processes really work.
Why I recommend it: A first-hand account of a long search. Useful for calibrating expectations.
A free library of masterclasses, worksheets, and templates from career strategist Madeline Mann: interview and resume masterclasses, a job search assessment quiz, a "Tell me about yourself" worksheet, follow-up email templates, and interview question lists.
In plain terms: This page collects Madeline Mann's free career materials in one place, including video masterclasses on interviewing and resumes plus downloadable worksheets and email templates. You can use it to prepare answers, tighten your resume, and follow up with hiring managers without paying for anything.
From the site: Free masterclasses, worksheets, templates, and a job search assessment from LinkedIn Top Voice and career strategist Madeline Mann (Self Made Millennial).
Why I recommend it: Her expired webinar replays are the one thing not worth chasing — this page is the evergreen version. Start with the "Tell me about yourself" worksheet and the follow-up email templates; those two fix the most interviews the fastest. The résumé and interview masterclasses are worth blocking an hour for before your next round of applications.
A phase-by-phase checklist for a first interview — company research, common questions, remote/hybrid logistics, what to bring, and follow-up. Built for graduates entering the workforce.
In plain terms: This checklist guides new graduates through every stage of their first job interview. Use it to prepare answers to common questions, handle virtual or in-person logistics, and follow up after the meeting.
Why I recommend it: Print this and work down it the night before. Most first-interview nerves come from unprepared logistics, not hard questions.
Mock Interview & Company Intel Tools (from the AI Job Search Tools guide)
Practice interviews with AI or live peers, then research the company before you walk in — includes Yoodli, Exponent (formerly Pramp), Verve AI, Glassdoor, Blind, Crunchbase, The Org, and salary databases.
In plain terms: This curated guide lists free and low-cost tools for interview practice and company research. You can run mock interviews with AI or live peers, get feedback on your answers, and look up salary data and workplace reviews.
Why I recommend it: Do one recorded mock interview before every real one. Then look up the salary band so the number conversation is not a surprise.
Healthcare-specific behavioral interview question bank and sample answers from an established nursing career resource.
Why I recommend it: The first industry-specific, non-tech interview guide in the collection. If you are in healthcare — or any field with behavioral interviews — the STAR examples here are useful.
Question banks for more than 100 technical roles — Node.js, Azure, Golang, Kubernetes, OAuth and more — each with sample answers, updated regularly. Free to read with no sign-up.
From the site: Ready-to-use technical interview questions and structured guides for developer roles and frameworks, from Remix to Magento. Updated September 2026.
Why I recommend it: Written for the people doing the interviewing, which is exactly why it is useful — you get to see the questions and the answers they are grading against.
A free breakdown of what AI-company product interviews actually test: judgment about which problems are worth solving, not memorised frameworks or polished STAR stories.
Why I recommend it: Read this if you keep getting "not strategic enough" feedback in senior interviews.
A full system for behavioral interviewing using Situation, Task, Action, Result — question banks, follow-up probes, scoring, and the research behind why structured behavioral interviews predict performance.
In plain terms: This guide explains how employers evaluate behavioral interview questions using the STAR framework. You can study sample questions, scoring rubrics, and follow-up probes to prepare clear stories about your past work achievements.
Why I recommend it: Useful from both chairs. If you're the candidate, write six STAR stories and reuse them — you'll cover most questions you get.
A federal, downloadable PDF negotiation guide developed for the DOL's Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses (TEAMS) program, broadly applicable beyond its original military-spouse audience.
Why I recommend it: Written for military spouses, but the scripts and framing work for anyone re-entering the workforce or switching careers. Download it before your next offer conversation.
Voice AI in Firms: A Natural Field Experiment on Automated Job Interviews
A September 2026 working paper by Brian Jabarian (Carnegie Mellon) and Luca Henkel (Erasmus Rotterdam) reporting a field experiment with 70,000 real applicants randomly assigned to be interviewed by a human recruiter or an AI voice agent. Applicants interviewed by AI were 12% more likely to receive an offer, with higher job starts and retention and no drop in on-the-job productivity. Transcript analysis traces the gain to more structured, consistent interviews that still adapt to each applicant.
Why I recommend it: If you have been told AI interviews are stacked against you, this is the largest piece of real evidence so far and it points the other way: consistent, structured questions helped candidates more than a tired recruiter on their eleventh call did. Prepare for them like any structured interview, with clear, specific answers.
A mentorship platform that matches you with a mentor working in your field — design, product, engineering, marketing and more. Signing up and your first session are free.
Why I recommend it: Free to join and the first session is free; ADPList also promotes paid plans and some mentors charge, so check the mentor page before booking. Free-tier value: browse mentors, book open calendar slots, ask for a portfolio or interview review.
An AI career coach for job seekers: CV review with specific recommendations, a recorded video introduction, a shareable career card, and role matching with application tracking. Free to start.
From the site: Upload your CV — AINA builds your profile, matches you with relevant jobs and keeps your applications in one place. A career coach preps you for interviews.
Why I recommend it: Free to start on the job-seeker side; the paid plans are aimed at the companies doing the hiring. Remember your CV and video go into a recruiting platform, so treat it as sharing your details with employers, not a private notebook.
#AI career coach#CV review#interview prep#job markets#job search
3-minute AI-assisted assessment based on Lou Adler's BEST personality test to help interviewers recognize which candidates they systematically misjudge.
From the site: Specialized AI assistants and templates for performance-based hiring workflows
Why I recommend it: Helpful for understanding what interviewers actually look for—and the biases that shape first impressions. Use it to prepare smarter, not just harder, whether you are interviewing or being interviewed.
A free library of technical-interview material from CodeSignal: practice guidance, explanations of how coding assessments are scored, interview question breakdowns and hiring-process write-ups. Useful preparation if a company has sent you a timed coding assessment.
Why I recommend it: The resource library is free to read. Bear in mind CodeSignal sells assessment software to employers, so the writing naturally presents these tests as a fair measure of skill — read it for what it tells you about how the tests work and what they reward, which is useful when one lands in your inbox.
A free interview practice session with Eightfold's AI interviewer that gives you personalized feedback in minutes. No resume required, open to adults 18 and over.
From the site: AI Career Day: practice a real interview with the Eightfold AI Interviewer and get personalized feedback in minutes. Free. No resume. 18+.
Why I recommend it: Use it as a low-stakes rehearsal. The feedback will not replace a human coach, but hearing yourself answer out loud once removes most of the nerves from the real conversation.
AI speaking coach that gives real-time feedback on English pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary during live calls.
Why I recommend it: If English is not your first language and interviews feel like the hardest part, practicing out loud with feedback beats rereading scripts.
A free-forever resume builder from former tech recruiter Tejal Rives that teaches the CAFE method (Cause, Action, Findings, Effect) for writing stronger bullets instead of just generating them, plus a job application tracker.
Why I recommend it: The teaching part is the point. Learn the CAFE structure here once and you can write good bullets anywhere, with or without the tool.
Free, no-signup AI practice tool that asks common interview questions across multiple job categories, including non-technical fields, and gives basic feedback.
Why I recommend it: One of the few AI interview tools that is actually free and not built only for coding interviews. Good for warming up your voice before the real thing.
Upload a resume and paste a job description to get an ATS match score, missing keywords, a tailored resume, cover letter, recruiter message and interview prep for that specific role.
From the site: Upload your resume, paste a job description, and get an ATS match score, missing keywords, a tailored resume, cover letter, recruiter message and interview prep.
Why I recommend it: The free plan covers 10 complete applications a month with no card required; larger bundles are paid. Never send a rewritten resume out unread — check every claim is still true about you before you apply.
Coding interview practice organized by underlying concept rather than by topic list, so you learn the patterns that transfer across problems instead of memorizing individual questions.
In plain terms: This study tool helps you prepare for coding interviews by organizing practice problems by underlying concept. You can work through connected questions to learn problem-solving patterns rather than memorizing individual solutions.
From the site: PathPrep is a guided coding-interview study tool. Navigate a graph of LeetCode-style problems connected by the techniques that solve them, so concepts actually click.
Why I recommend it: Concept-first beats grinding a problem list. If you can name the pattern out loud, you can usually solve the variant they actually ask.
Resume builder with live ATS scoring, AI wording suggestions and 450+ templates. The free forever tier gives you up to three resumes, five basic templates, live ATS scoring, unlimited job applications, a shareable portfolio page and one clean download you can edit and re-download; other downloads carry a watermark. Paid tiers start at Rs.99/month.
Why I recommend it: Use the free tier for the ATS score, not the writing. It is a quick way to see whether a machine can read your layout at all, which is the failure most people never find out about. Two notes: pricing is set in Indian rupees, and no resume tool's score is the actual employer's screening system — a high number means readable, not shortlisted.
A free browser-based practice aid that walks through a recruiter phone screen question by question, so you can rehearse the opening conversation most candidates wing.
Why I recommend it: The recruiter screen is the round people prepare for least and get cut in most. Run through this once out loud before your next call.
An AI platform for professionals to articulate their value, build targeted CVs, and match to roles aligned with their strengths rather than keyword-matching job descriptions.
Why I recommend it: Free to explore, with paid coaching behind it — use the strengths framing to sharpen how you describe yourself, then apply it wherever you want.
Interview prep and career advice for developers from Fahim ul Haq, drawing on 15+ years in big tech.
In plain terms: A newsletter of coding interview prep and tech career advice from a longtime engineer and founder. Focused on interview patterns, system design, and growth in engineering roles.
From the site: Interview prep and career advice for devs. Tips and takeaways from 15+ years in tech.
Why I recommend it: Pair this with mock practice. The system design and interview breakdowns map closely to what big tech actually asks.
A year-long career accelerator that places Black software engineers, data scientists, and managers into small squads of 7 to 9 peers, with senior industry mentors, career roadmapping, accountability, and interview preparation.
In plain terms: This year-long career program connects Black software engineers and tech managers into small peer groups. You can create career roadmaps, receive regular accountability, and work with others to reach your professional goals.
Why I recommend it: Applications open each fall and close by mid-December for the following year. The squad accountability is what makes people actually follow through.
Newsletter breaking down system design and backend engineering concepts with clear diagrams — interview-grade explanations of how large systems work.
Why I recommend it: Use the diagrams as interview prep. If you can redraw one from memory and explain the tradeoffs out loud, you are ready to talk about it in a system design round.
People of Color in Tech's walkthrough of a realistic coding-interview study plan — what to prioritize, how to schedule practice, and how to prepare for the behavioral rounds alongside the technical ones.
In plain terms: This guide explains how to build a structured study plan for coding interviews. Use it to break down job descriptions, prioritize your practice topics, and prepare for recruiter screens alongside technical rounds.
From the site: Unlocking the coding interview opens the door to top pay, benefits, and perks at premier tech companies.
Why I recommend it: The plan structure is the value here. Scattered LeetCode grinding is why most people plateau.
A free self-paced curriculum for the Forward Deployed Engineer role — the person who sits with a customer and turns an AI model into a system that actually runs in production. 11 modules, 150+ topic articles, 700+ open-book questions and 15 daily drill questions, covering systems thinking, problem decomposition, LLM/RAG/agent architecture, data and event systems, physical AI and robotics, plus client discovery, integration, deployment and stakeholder management. It also publishes a map of 15 layers of the modern AI engineering stack drawn from real FDE and AI-engineer job specs, with links out to where to learn each one.
Why I recommend it: The whole curriculum opens without an account or a card — I checked — and an account only saves your progress. There is no pricing page anywhere on it, so nothing is being held back behind a paywall today. Worth knowing why this matters: 'Forward Deployed Engineer' is a job title that is actually being hired for right now, and it pays like engineering while rewarding the consulting side most engineers avoid. Two flags. It is one person's independent site, not an accredited course or a certificate anyone will recognize — the value is the material, not a credential. And it makes a strong claim, that foundation models are becoming a commodity and the money lives in the last mile; that is an argument, not a measured finding, so read it as a well-argued position.
A free resource library from Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation, with articles and guides on negotiation strategy, conflict resolution, and dealmaking.
Why I recommend it: The deepest free negotiation material I have found anywhere, and it is not limited to salary. Read one article before any offer conversation.
Career and job-search insights from Bryan Creely, a corporate recruiter of 25 years, covering layoffs, resumes, interviews and how hiring decisions actually get made.
Why I recommend it: Recruiter-side perspective on why applications get rejected. The free articles and videos are the useful part.
Huntr's data-backed look at resume formats — chronological, functional, and combination — and which structure holds up with recruiters and applicant tracking systems.
Why I recommend it: Format questions eat a lot of people's time. Read this once, pick chronological unless you have a real reason not to, and spend the rest of your energy on the bullet points.
U.S. Department of Labor-backed interview preparation guide for general audiences, covering how to prepare for and follow up on interviews across industries.
Why I recommend it: Most interview prep here is built for engineers. This is the counterweight — plain-language guidance from the DOL that works for any field.
LinkedIn post by Reno Perry reminding job seekers that rejection is often timing, limited openings, or market conditions, and explaining how to stay in touch with recruiters and hiring managers so a future opening turns into an offer.
Why I recommend it: The relationship does not end at rejection. A gracious follow-up keeps you front of mind when the right role opens.
A marketplace for coaching, classes, and community built to help ambitious people reach career and educational goals. Useful for structured mentorship and interview prep.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers' free library on career readiness — the eight competencies employers say they screen for, plus assessments and guides.
From the site: NACE members share resources they have developed to communicate with college students and others about how to develop key competencies, known as the NACE Career Readiness Competencies, needed to be considered ready for the workforce.
Why I recommend it: This is where the "career readiness competencies" language in graduate job descriptions comes from — worth reading so you can mirror it back. Paywall note: the competency pages linked from here are free, but NACE's survey data, salary reports and full Job Outlook editions require paid membership — stick to the free material unless your school already has a membership.
Stanford's full career resource hub — resume and cover letter handouts, interview prep, and industry guides, all free to the public.
In plain terms: This collection offers free guides, templates, and tools for every stage of the job search. You can use it to build your resume, write cover letters, explore different careers, and practice for upcoming interviews.
From the site: We have gathered a list of our favorite online career resources in one place. Whether you're exploring your career options, preparing to apply for jobs, or seeking to maximize your experience, you'll find valuable resources below to help you succeed.
Long-running job search and interview advice blog by Jeff Gillis and Mike Simpson, with resume, cover letter, and interview strategies used by over 100 million visitors.
Why I recommend it: Their free guides are solid foundational prep. Pair them with mock interviews so you are not just reading about answers but actually practicing them.
A university overview of the durable skills a liberal arts education builds — writing, analysis, communication, adaptability — and how they map onto professional roles.
In plain terms: This article explains the practical skills a liberal arts degree builds, including clear writing, critical thinking, and adaptability. You can use it to see what employers look for and learn how to explain your broad background to hiring managers.
Why I recommend it: Translate each skill listed here into a bullet with a result attached. That is how a liberal arts degree stops sounding vague in interviews.
Free one-hour webinar from ProFellow founder Dr. Vicki Johnson. Learn the MATCH ME Formula to strengthen applications, craft a personal pitch, and handle cover letters, resumes, interviews, and referrals.
From the site: This webinar will skyrocket your success in landing dream jobs and leadership roles, and will change your approach to the competitive job market forever.
Why I recommend it: Free webinar with replay. The MATCH ME Formula is especially helpful if you are re-entering the job market, changing fields, or applying to competitive roles and want a structured approach to every application.
Deep library of career advice videos on personal branding, resumes, interview prep, and networking. Hosted by J.T. O'Donnell.
In plain terms: This YouTube channel provides career advice videos hosted by J.T. O'Donnell. You can watch tutorials on writing resumes, preparing for job interviews, networking, and building your personal brand.
Why I recommend it: Huge back catalog — search it like a database when you hit a specific snag.
Well-explained computer science and programming tutorials, quizzes, and interview practice problems.
From the site: Your All-in-One Learning Portal. It contains well written, well thought and well explained computer science and programming articles, quizzes and practice/competitive programming/company interview Questions.
Why I recommend it: Ad-supported; most articles and practice problems are free to read.
GitHub's free article library explaining version control, DevOps, CI/CD, security practices and AI-assisted development in plain terms.
From the site: GitHub is where people build software. More than 150 million people use GitHub to discover, fork, and contribute to over 420 million projects.
Why I recommend it: Good plain-English explainers for the terms that show up in job descriptions — read the DevOps and CI/CD ones before an interview.
A free conversation with Veronica Salcido of GrowthAssistant on hiring for durable skills that outlast specific tools, and what that means for how candidates present themselves.
Why I recommend it: Hear how a hiring leader actually judges candidates, then mirror that language in your applications.
Applications for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time jobs in New York City's life sciences sector are open year-round. Includes a career summit, interview prep, and placement support.
Why I recommend it: If you're a student or recent grad interested in biotech or life sciences in New York, this program connects you directly to internships and jobs.
Free Workiva webinar for students on landing a software engineering internship: resume tips that clear automated screening, interview tactics, application deadlines, and a Q&A with current interns.
Details: If you are a student targeting an engineering internship, this is the kind of session where recruiters say out loud what they actually screen for. Go and take notes.
A week of real rehearsal beats a month of reading. Write your six stories first, then do at least one spoken practice run before the day.
What do I say when I don't know the answer?
Say what you'd do to find out, then say it. Interviewers are testing how you think far more often than what you've memorized.
Do mock interview tools actually help?
For fluency and nerves, yes — they make you say the words out loud. For judgment and follow-up questions, a real person is still better; several free communities here will pair you with one.
Should I give a number when they ask my salary expectations?
Give a researched range with your target near the bottom of it, and say it plainly. The tools on this page will tell you what the role pays before you have to answer.
