Last updated: 13 October 2026. Use this as a printable checklist, and adapt it to the employer’s instructions.
Good interviews are often won before you walk in. This checklist covers the five stages: verify, prepare, pack, perform and follow up. Read it a week before, and tick things off as you go. For deeper advice, see our guides to interview tips and common interview questions.
1. Verify the invitation
- ☐ Check the company’s official website and careers page.
- ☐ Confirm the interview with a phone number or email you found yourself.
- ☐ Match the venue with the company’s official address, and be wary of hotel rooms and private homes.
- ☐ Remember that real employers never charge application, interview or “processing” fees, and that government recruitment is free.
- ☐ Tell a friend or relative where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Agencies have repeatedly warned about fake recruitment letters, including AI-generated ones. See our guide on internet scams.
2. Prepare one week before
- ☐ Read the job description and highlight the key requirements.
- ☐ Research the employer: what it does, recent news, size and competitors.
- ☐ Prepare three stories using situation, task, action and result.
- ☐ Write answers to the common questions, and practise aloud.
- ☐ Prepare two or three questions to ask the interviewer.
- ☐ Review your own CV, and be ready to explain every line. See our CV guide.
3. The day before
- ☐ Plan the route and travel time, and add a buffer. In Lagos, read our traffic guide.
- ☐ Charge your phone and power bank.
- ☐ Lay out clean, neat clothes and polish your shoes.
- ☐ Pack your documents (see below).
- ☐ Sleep early. Avoid heavy food and late nights.
What to carry
- ☐ Three printed copies of your CV.
- ☐ A valid ID and your NYSC discharge or exemption certificate, if applicable.
- ☐ Original certificates and copies, and a reference letter if you have one.
- ☐ A notebook, a pen and your list of questions.
- ☐ Your portfolio, if the job calls for one.
- ☐ A bottle of water, tissue and small cash for transport.
4. On the day
- ☐ Arrive about 15 minutes early.
- ☐ Switch your phone to silent.
- ☐ Be polite to everyone you meet, including security and reception.
- ☐ Greet with a smile and a handshake if offered.
- ☐ Listen carefully, answer honestly and use examples.
- ☐ Ask your questions, and ask about next steps.
- ☐ Thank them for their time.
Online interviews
- ☐ Test your camera, microphone and internet beforehand, and log in a few minutes early.
- ☐ Use a quiet, well-lit place with a plain background.
- ☐ Keep a backup: a second device, mobile data and a charged power bank.
- ☐ Close other apps, and silence notifications.
- ☐ Look at the camera when you speak.
5. Afterwards
- ☐ Send a short thank-you email or message within 24 hours.
- ☐ Write down what you were asked and how you answered.
- ☐ Follow up politely if you hear nothing after the stated date.
- ☐ Keep applying elsewhere until you have a written offer.
- ☐ Before you accept, read the offer: pay, allowances, pension, health cover, probation, working hours and notice period.
After you get an offer
Check that the offer comes from the official company address, and confirm the terms in writing. Do not pay for uniforms, training or “documentation”. If the offer is unclear, ask for clarification, and keep a copy of your contract. For extra help, see the skills in demand guide to plan your next step.
Before You Go: Check That the Interview Is Real
Fake recruitment is common. The FAAN denied an ongoing recruitment exercise and warned about fake employment letters, the petroleum regulator warned in August 2026 about AI-generated letters, and the immigration service and customs have issued similar warnings. Before you attend:
- No credible employer charges application, “processing” or training fees.
- Cross-check the venue with the company’s official address, and call the company on a number from its official website.
- Be wary of offers that arrive by WhatsApp or Telegram, high salaries promised before any interview, and requests for your BVN, NIN or bank details.
- Tell someone where you are going, and avoid interviews in private homes or unusual locations.
Interview-Day Timeline
- The night before: lay out clothes, print two copies of your CV, pack ID and certificates, and check the route, including traffic. See our guide to Lagos traffic if you are in Lagos.
- On the morning: eat, charge your phone and leave early, because arriving 15 minutes ahead is better than arriving flustered.
- In the room: greet everyone, listen to the full question, take a breath and answer with a clear example.
- At the end: ask your own questions, thank the panel and confirm the next step.
Questions to Ask the Employer
- What does success look like in the first six months?
- How is performance reviewed, and by whom?
- What training or growth is available?
- What is the timeline for a decision?
After the Interview
Send a short thank-you message within a day, restate your interest and add one point you forgot. If you receive an offer, read the contract before you sign, and see what pay, pension and leave are included. Our guides on interview tips and common interview questions go deeper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to an interview in Nigeria?
Copies of your CV, a valid ID, your NYSC document, original certificates with copies, a notebook and pen, and your list of questions.
How early should I arrive?
About 15 minutes, to allow for traffic and security checks.
Should I send a thank-you message?
Yes, a short note within 24 hours is courteous and keeps you in mind.
