Banish interview nerves: a four-step plan

Banish interview nerves

You just got the call you’ve been waiting for – you’ve been invited to that interview! After the initial excitement wears off, you begin to feel waves of dread encompass you. Sound familiar? You aren’t alone. Follow our plan to reduce nerves and nail that interview.

Banish interview nerves1. After the interview confirmation:

  • If possible, try to schedule your interview as early in the morning as possible. This will stop you from becoming too anxious throughout the day.
  • Jot down all the questions the interviewer is likely to ask, including the ones you dread most. Answer using the STAR method and get a trusted friend to quiz you in a mock interview situation.
  • And finally… remember they called you and arranged an interview because they like your application and see you as a candidate they could hire. You’ve got this!

2. The night before:

  • Be prepared – iron and prepare your outfit, pack your bag and print out copies of your CV and application letter. This is always handy to look at if you get stuck on a question or if the interviewer has misplaced your CV!
  • Practice some relaxation techniques to help you get a good night’s sleep. If you still cannot sleep, pop on your favourite feel-good movie or TV show, and don’t forget to set your alarm!
...remember they called you and arranged an interview because they like your application and see you as a candidate they could hire.  

3. Morning:

  • Don’t skip breakfast, you don’t want your stomach rumbling throughout the interview!
  • Avoid caffeine as it will intensify your nerves and make you jumpy. If you must get your fix, have a cup of tea instead of coffee.
  • Allow yourself plenty of time to travel, so you can park your car, make sure you look presentable and contain your nerves.

4. At the interview:

  • If nerves are getting the better of you, try the 3/3/3 technique. Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of three and exhale through your nose again for a count of three. Repeat this three times to regulate breathing and slow your heart rate.
  • Fake it till you make it – Even if you are nervous, give a firm handshake, remember to look your interviewer in the eye, and sit up straight in your chair. Acting confident will make you help you feel less nervous.

A final note, don’t worry – think of the interview as a meeting, you are there to see if you like the company as much as they are to see if they like you!

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like:
Five things to do after the job interview

Silly, random questions you might get asked during an interview

 

Published: 24 April 2024
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2024

Jobs currently available

New job
Electronics Hardware Design Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Gillingham, Kent
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913361
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking an Electronics Hardware Design Engineer for a manufacturing company based in Gillingham, Kent.

You will be working within the company’s Electronics Engineering team, developing electronic designs to fulfil customer and legislative requirements within the challenging context of a high-volume, high quality and harsh manufacturing environment - with Electronic Control Unit products for use in the current portfolio and for future propulsion systems.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Develop new electronic designs for Electronic Control Units
  • Evaluate customer and internal requirements and identify gaps in current products
  • Prepare product designs to meet internal and customer requirements
  • Develop complete schematics, Bill of Materials and other technical documentation
  • Develop a worst-case analysis for each requirement
  • Create and maintain Electrical DFMEA
  • Apply BOD, BOP and defined engineering standards procedures and methodologies to execute project activities
  • Provide technical assistance to PCB ECAD teams
  • Release design documentation
  • Support Validation teams during the Design Validation and Process Validation phases
  • Support Test teams located in the Manufacturing Plants
  • Prepare reports, technical presentations and status for internal and customer use
  • Ensure reports and presentations include clear analysis and summaries for decision-making
  • Define, prioritise and execute tasks required to meet project objectives (cost, quality and timing)
  • Escalate risks and issues to core team members and management in a timely manner
  • Apply problem-solving in the execution of project activities
  • Maintain and update Bill of Design guidelines
  • Ensure that designs meet cost targets, manufacturability requirements and end-of-line recycling targets
  • Develop and maintain test equipment

Required skills/experience include:

  • Proven electronics design experience
  • Experience with Functional Safety ISO26262 and FMEDA
  • Experience with Electrical DFMEA
  • Experience with effective problem-solving methodologies
  • Experience in automotive electronics hardware development
  • Software tools: MS Office, ECAD programs (XPedition Enterprises preferred), Simulation tools
  • Fluent in English speaking and writing

Required qualifications:

  • University Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or suitable equivalent qualification and experience

This role offers excellent benefits including a generous relocation allowance.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
HR Advisor
Sector: Recruitment and HR
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913357
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking an experienced HR advisor to provide high-quality, locally focused HR advice and service as well as work on group-based projects – for a company based in Tiverton, Devon.

Hours of work:

Monday to Friday – 30-35 hours per week, to be worked over 5 days.

The company will consider candidates looking for school working hours (min 5.5 hours daily) and can offer flexibility on working hours, however, daily support is required to meet operational objectives.

You will be based in Tiverton, working independently and will be responsible for providing vital generalist day-to-day operational support, including but not limited to delivery of the HR goals as well as objectives, absence management, employee relations matters and support for Line Managers.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Providing support to colleagues and managers working within the company’s policies and procedures to achieve positive outcomes.
  • Undertaking exit interviews for leavers and administrating the leaver’s process.
  • Auditing and reviewing HR policies, procedures, and documentation on a regular basis in line with legal obligations or business requirements.
  • Overseeing and assisting with investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes to endeavour to resolve at an informal level wherever possible. Escalating all processes to the HR Manager for initial input.
  • Preparing template letters, documentation and forms necessary for the HR Admin team to complete for employees (eg invitations to hearings, flexible working requests, letters of correspondence etc).
  • Supporting the company and the HR Manager with improving attendance for all employees including long-term sick leave.
  • Assisting the HR Manager with the upkeep of company policies and procedures and implementation of new/amended procedures.
  • General HR-related tasks/project work as directed by and with the consultation of the HR Manager.

Key skills/experience required:

  • Experience from a generalist background is essential to apply HR practices throughout the cycle of employment.
  • Competent in dealing with employee relations matters, grievances, performance and disciplinary.
  • Managing absence both short and long-term with knowledge of occupational health.
  • Compiling and updating company procedures and applications in practice.
  • Adaptable, self-motivated, team worker with a can-do attitude.
  • Minimum CIPD Level 3 in Human Resources Practice or similar or substantial professional experience.
  • Excellent communicator both written and verbal.
  • Administration experience and preparation of contractual documentation.
  • Use of Microsoft Office suite including Teams, hosting meetings online.
  • Organising in-house events, training events for example.

The role offers excellent benefits – discussed on application.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Service Desk Controller
Sector: Customer Service
Salary: £25,000 - £27,000 per annum
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913358
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Service Desk Controller for a company based in Witham.

This is an incredibly important role within the company as you will be the primary point of contact for the customers and will be responsible for scheduling the engineers' diaries. This is a fast-paced role, therefore you must be able to work well under pressure and display ownership of tasks from start to finish.

Duties include:

  • Providing product and technical information, together with advice tailored to customer requirements.
  • Handling customer enquiries via telephone or email and ensuring customer communication is a priority.
  • Identifying customer product requirements and where necessary liaising with suppliers with the purchasing department.
  • Allocating jobs to engineers.
  • Communicating efficiently with all internal departments to ensure the correct product is allocated against each job card.
  • Coordinating resources to reduce customer waiting time.
  • Ordering products from suppliers and liaising with the purchasing department.

Role requirements:

  • Ability to communicate efficiently, verbally expressing your ideas clearly and confidently at all levels, via email and the telephone.
  • Skills to systematically establish facts and principles for problem-solving to resolve customer enquiries.
  • Ability to understand and produce customer or internal reports.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.

Free parking is available on-site.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more