Interview day, online interviews and follow-up

First impressions are built from small, controllable things: arriving on time, being ready, looking prepared and following up politely. Get these right and you can focus on your answers.

The day before

• Confirm the time, place or video link, and the interviewer's name. Bucknell University's careers centre reminds you to check whether the organisation is in a different time zone.
• Plan your journey and check public transport times in advance, as Prospects advises. In the UAE summer heat, allow extra time so you arrive calm rather than rushed.
• Prepare your outfit. Prospects suggests matching the organisation's culture and, when in doubt, dressing smart, because 'it's better to be too smart than too casual'. Iron your clothes and clean your shoes.
• Pack a copy of your CV, your list of questions, a pen and a notebook, water and the contact details you need if you are delayed.

In-person etiquette

• Be ready 5 to 10 minutes early, as the National Careers Service suggests, and turn your phone off.
• Greet everyone politely, including reception staff. Follow the other person's lead on greetings: a handshake is common in many workplaces, but some people prefer not to shake hands with the opposite gender, so a warm smile and hand on heart is a respectful alternative.
• Sit upright, make natural eye contact, listen to the whole question and pause briefly before answering.
• At the end, thank the interviewer and, as Prospects suggests, ask when you can expect to hear the outcome.

Online and video interviews

• Test your technology in advance. Bucknell suggests updating the interview software, checking your microphone, speakers and camera, doing a test call with someone and closing unnecessary programs.
• Position the camera at eye level. If you use a laptop, put it on a desk, not your lap; if you use a phone, prop it up horizontally.
• Choose a clean, uncluttered background, light your face from the front and avoid bright windows behind you. Ask your family to keep the room quiet and turn off the TV.
• Dress as you would in person, as both Prospects and Bucknell advise, and look into the camera often to simulate eye contact.
• Speak slowly and clearly to allow for delay, and keep a few brief prompt notes near the screen, not full scripted answers. The National Careers Service also recommends knowing how to contact the interviewer if the technology fails.

Right after the interview

• Prospects suggests writing down the questions you were asked and how you answered while they are fresh. This is gold for your next interview.
• Note anything you promised to send, such as a portfolio link or reference details, and send it the same day.
• Reflect honestly: one thing that went well and one thing to improve.

The thank-you email

• UC Davis's career centre advises sending a brief thank-you email within 24 hours to the people who interviewed you.
• Mention something specific you learned about the role or organisation and restate your interest. Bucknell also recommends personalising it with details from your conversation.
• Model: 'Subject: Thank you, summer volunteer interview. Dear Mr Khan, thank you for meeting me today. I especially enjoyed hearing about the reading programme you run for younger children, and it made me even more keen to help. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Maryam Ali.'
• If you have not heard anything after the date they gave, or after two or three weeks as UC Davis suggests, send one polite follow-up email or call.