Use multiple sources (Glassdoor, levels.fyi, PayScale) to triangulate salary ranges. Consider total compensation, not just base salary—sign-on bonuses and stock value matter.

Test your resume against actual ATS systems using free tools. Remove graphics, unusual fonts, and complex formatting—ATS parsers can't read them. Use keywords from the job description strategically.

Prepare stories that demonstrate technical depth, leadership, and failure recovery. Practice recording yourself—you'll catch nervous habits and pacing issues that slow you down in live interviews.

Space your preparation over 2-3 weeks—cramming doesn't work for interview prep. Mock interviews reveal gaps you won't notice studying alone. Ask a peer to be brutally honest in feedback.

Pick a real company but make the scope realistic—a 2-5 hour project, not a full consulting engagement. Focus on clarity and insights, not polish. Interviewers want to see your thinking, not just a polished output.

Always negotiate—staying silent costs you money and signals acceptance of the first offer. Get competing offers if possible; it strengthens your position dramatically. Remember: they already want to hire you, so negotiate confidently.