Everyone preparing for a job interview needs to read this

Everyone preparing for a job interview needs to read this

Getting ready for a job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, but these top tips will help you nail it

By Lydia Cerguera

Your application has been accepted. Your CV has been read. Now you’ve been invited to an interview for the job of your dreams.

How are you going to give the best possible account of yourself in just a half-hour conversation?  

This is the moment when anxiety sets in. How are you going to give the best possible account of yourself in just a half-hour conversation? How are you going to make a good impression?

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of tips for interview success. Read them, and you’ll be ready for anything.

1. Turn up early

Apart from car crashes, train strikes, a national declaration of war, broken bones (you get the picture!) there is absolutely no excuse for arriving late to an interview.

Plan your journey. Check your petrol levels. Listen to the traffic news. Make sure you have parking money. Memorise the bus/train timetable.

Basically, do whatever is necessary to get there early. And by early, we mean half an hour at the very least.

That way, you have time to find the interview room, go to the toilet, calm down, drink some water, and get mentally prepared for the challenge ahead.      

Everyone preparing for a job interview needs to read this2. Do your homework

Find out as much as possible about your prospective employer prior to the interview. That enables you to demonstrate a real understanding of the company, which is sure to impress.

Another tip is to get some background on your interviewer, so that you can establish a rapport with them and show that you’re willing to go the extra mile in securing the job.

3. Read the job description. Then read it again

It’s surprising how many times interviewers have to remind people of what’s included in a job role, even though they’ve applied for the vacancy.

Read all the information provided in the job spec before the interview, and be sure to refer to it in your answers. This shows that you’ve thought about your application and what you can bring to the role. It may also help you work out if the job’s exactly what you want.

Your task is to show the interviewer that you can take direction and grow with the business, not that you want to take it over (yet).  

4. Manners maketh the man (and woman)

Good manners don’t cost anything and help you make a strong impression when meeting people for the first time.

Shake the interviewer’s hand at the beginning and end of the interview, make eye contact, thank them for their time, and sit up properly in your seat.

You may find that the interviewer is busy taking notes for a lot of the interview, so don’t worry if you can’t maintain eye contact while answering their questions. But be sure to look at them, rather than turning your face away. Even with their head down, they’ll be able to sense your engagement.

5. Be confident, but not too confident

Feeling geared up and ready to take on the world? Great, but don’t muddle that with sounding arrogant about your experience and knowledge.

Answer questions with grace, despite the fact you may think you’re perfect for the role. Your task is to show the interviewer that you can take direction and grow with the business, not that you want to take it over (yet).

Everyone preparing for a job interview needs to read this6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before the big day

Most job adverts offer a chance to contact the employer before an interview to ask any questions. These may be about things such as working hours, the location, or the benefits package. Or maybe you just want to clarify some detail about the job spec.

It’s a good idea to get this sort of stuff out of the way prior to your interview. That will give you a clearer understanding of what’s on offer, as well as showing the interviewer that you’re taking the opportunity seriously.

7. Remember to whet your whistle

Bring a bottle of water to an interview, just in case the company doesn’t provide a drink. There’s nothing worse than tacky-mouth syndrome, especially when you’re trying to impress.

Keep the bottle in a discreet place and remember not to gulp back the entire contents within the first five minutes. It’s probably not a great idea to interrupt your interview with an emergency trip to the loo.

...no interviewer wants to see a candidate wearing a creased shirt with ketchup stains down the front.  

8. Turn your phone off, and put it away

You wouldn’t have your phone on at the cinema, so why would you keep it on during a potentially life-changing interview?

While it may be tempting to look like a powerhouse with your phone on the interview table, avoid this at all costs – it just shows the interviewer they are not worth your time.

9. Dress the part

It doesn’t matter if you’re going for a job at a fast-food chain or a high street bank, no interviewer wants to see a candidate wearing a creased shirt with ketchup stains down the front.

Smart clothes, a well-groomed but not fastidious appearance, and a nice clean aroma are just the ticket.

The interviewer needs to know you’ll take the role seriously. If you can’t leave the house looking smart, they’re unlikely to have confidence in your abilities.

10. Think about your answers. Don’t rush in

It can be tempting to leap in when the interview gets going, but most employers prefer candidates to take their time in answering questions. Better to give a thoughtful response after a brief pause than to jump in with something ill-considered.

Of course, if you think about potential questions before the interview, you may find you have some well-prepared answers up your sleeve. And that’s sure to make a good impression.

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: 
Weird interview questions you might get asked
Surprising jobs celebs did before they were famous

 

Published: 20 August 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

Customer Services Executive
Sector: Customer Service
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB14
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Customer Services Executive for a manufacturer based in Sudbury, Suffolk.

As a Customer Services Executive, you will play a key role within the sales and marketing team — delivering exceptional service to both new and existing customers while managing ongoing accounts.

You will answer customer questions, solve problems, and provide information about the company’s products and services — all while building strong relationships and ensuring long-term customer satisfaction.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Assess incoming enquiries from direct communication or the sales team
  • Create quotations and tender documentation
  • Follow up on quotations at appropriate points in the process
  • Manage the CRM system
  • Manage the lead generation tools
  • Processing incoming sales orders
  • Liaise with the order fulfilment team for the smooth supply of products to customers
  • Manage any after-sales requirements
  • Help project manage key projects and clients

Role requirements include:

  • Must possess excellent communication skills, both oral and written
  • Previous experience in a similar role is preferable
  • Experience within the engineering/manufacturing sector is preferred
  • Good knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic database skills
  • Must be able to understand business calculations and be competent to correspond via email in a professional manner
  • Must be an excellent face-to-face communicator
  • Telephone communication skills are of a high standard
  • One of the keys to success is to develop professional relationships with decision makers, and so the ability to ‘connect’ with people and build networks should come naturally
  • You will be based at the Sudbury office, with occasional requirements for site and customer visits

Skills and qualifications to include:

  • A highly capable person with strong planning and scheduling skills
  • Self–driven, results-oriented, and with a positive outlook and a clear focus on high-quality standards
  • An independent person with good organisation and planning skills, who is capable of objectively assessing and improving their own and the department’s performance
  • Must be reliable, tolerant, and be able to work under pressure. The ability to be professional at all times and represent the company in a professional manner is a prerequisite
  • Tenacity and the ability to see things through to the end goal are desired traits
  • Must be able to work alone as well as work within a team
  • When required, able to work extra hours to accommodate the business needs, which may include occasional travel


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

 

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Technical Sales / Applications Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £26,000 - £34,000 per annum
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB13
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Technical Sales / Applications Engineer for a leading client in Tiverton, Devon — an excellent opportunity for a graduate, higher apprentice, or experienced engineer to develop their career within a technical engineering environment.

Reporting to the Technical Sales Manager, this role will focus on the promotion and sales of company products to prospective, new and existing customers.

Scope:

  • Providing a Technical Sales Service to Customers
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Required qualifications/experience include:

  • Ideally qualified to HNC minimum in mechanical engineering
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  • Knowledge of Machine and Production processes is advantageous
  • Working knowledge of 3D design tools such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD

 

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

 

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Procurement Manager
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB11
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing manufacturing business based on the outskirts of Sudbury, in the search for a talented Procurement Manager to join their expanding team.

Required skills and qualifications:

  • CIPS Qualified - min level 5.
  • Substantial experience in a procurement leadership role within the food, ingredients, manufacturing, or FMCG sectors.
  • Experience in leading and developing high-performance teams.
  • Strong Negotiation and Supplier Management skills.

The key purpose of this role is to lead the delivery of greater strategic and operational value of the procurement function and help to deliver business-critical goals.

This is a hands-on, strategic, and operational role that requires a confident leader with deep procurement expertise and the ability to inspire and develop a team.

You will work closely with the Supply Chain Manager to shape and implement a fit-for-purpose procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals across quality, cost, sustainability, and risk management. This role is pivotal in maintaining robust and value-driven supplier relationships while enabling continuous improvement in all procurement activities.

You will also oversee raw material planning and call-offs, ensuring that the business maintains the right balance between availability and inventory control — essential for production continuity and working capital efficiency.

This role includes direct line management of a Procurement Specialist, supporting their development and day-to-day activity management.

Key duties include:

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with business objectives, operational needs, and sustainability goals.
  • Identify, evaluate, and manage suppliers across raw materials, packaging, and indirect categories to ensure quality, continuity and cost-effectiveness.
  • Collaborate with the Supply Chain Manager and other departments to align procurement with broader supply chain goals and business plans.
  • Contribute to the company’s sustainability, traceability and ethical sourcing commitments through strategic supplier partnerships.
  • Oversee the procurement of raw materials, packaging, indirect goods and services, and CAPEX items, ensuring optimal quality, cost and delivery performance.
  • Manage tendering processes, contract negotiation and supplier onboarding activities.
  • Ensure the ERP system is updated and used effectively for procurement activities and reporting.
  • Monitor and report on procurement KPIs, savings and supplier performance metrics.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and service providers, driving continuous improvement and innovation.
  • Lead supplier performance reviews, audits and corrective action processes.
  • Identify and assess risks within the supply base and implement mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity.
  • Lead, mentor and develop the procurement team to achieve high levels of engagement, performance and professional growth.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous learning within the team.
  • Support the wider Supply Chain team by contributing to cross-functional initiatives and projects.
  • Ensure adherence to company procurement policies, financial controls and ethical standards.
  • Support internal and external audits with relevant documentation and compliance reporting.
  • Drive process improvement initiatives and embed best practices across the procurement function.

Build and nurture key working relationships with Production, Quality Assurance, Finance, Warehousing, Sales and Commercial Teams, Suppliers, Logistics Providers and Regulatory Bodies.

This is an excellent opportunity to drive change within a business — offering a great working environment.

Working hours for this role are Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm, although some flexibility is required.

Please note that due to the location of the business, you must have access to your own transport.

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

 

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Purchasing Supervisor
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC24
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a growing, industry-leading organisation in Ipswich to recruit a Purchasing Supervisor.

Working collaboratively within a fast-paced, team-oriented purchasing function, you will take responsibility for taking the highly successful Purchasing Team to the next level of procurement. Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, the emphasis of the role is to work with existing team members to build key skills and to improve current processes. It will involve resolving daily issues, building and maintaining supplier relationships and helping to build the future purchasing team.

Duties include:

  • Primary responsibility for the daily management of specific team members.
  • Provide structured training and guidance to proactively encourage individual and team development, ensuring team succession planning.
  • Empower the team to take ownership of their roles/responsibilities.
  • Responsible for managing up and organising updates/meetings with the Team Manager.
  • Actively work with other supervisors and management to ensure a consistent approach within the department.
  • Resolution of daily issues—including data collation of issues.
  • Manage supplier relationships and performance.
  • Lead on supplier lead time reviews and relevant internal updates.
  • Present data on monthly spend and KPIs, and non-conformance tracking.
  • Lead on-demand planning, working with the external Sales Team and suppliers to provide forecasting.
  • Participate in pricing reviews.
  • Deliver guidance and training daily to the team.
  • Proactively work on team engagement through coaching, mentoring and regular 1-2-1s.

Key skills/qualifications required include:

  • CIPS level 4 achieved or prepared to undertake.
  • Leadership skills.
  • Ability to develop and maintain commercial awareness, internally and industry-wide.
  • A proactive approach with a “can-do” attitude and the ability to motivate others.
  • Analytical skills with strong problem-solving ability.
  • Proven negotiation skills.
  • Good understanding of supply chain procedures.
  • Proven advanced level of Computer literacy - Microsoft Excel/Word/Access.
  • Sound Administrative experience. Knowledge of ERP.

Hybrid working will be available after successful completion of the probationary period (min. of 3 days in the office, up to 2 days at home).

 

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

 

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Brand Coordinator
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Location: Braintree
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC23
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a well-regarded business based in Braintree who are recruiting for a Brand Coordinator to add to their team.

As a Brand Coordinator, you will manage the entire process from product development to customer delivery, including:

  • Product development and follow-up in collaboration with customers, Sales and Business Development Managers, and your international colleagues
  • Daily contact with customers
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  • Inventory planning
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Role requirements include:

  • Strong commercial skills
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  • Working systematically and structured
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  • Have more than 2 years of experience in purchasing or as a purchasing assistant

Working hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm

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

 

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Sales Office Coordinator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC22
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Sales Office Coordinator to join a well-established company based in Ipswich.

You’ll be working within a busy, fast-paced, team-oriented, customer-focused Sales Office. The main emphasis of the role is to manage customer expectations by organising the pricing of materials to meet project deadlines. Previous experience in processing quotes, sales, purchase orders, and invoices is preferred.

The ability to problem solve and seek solutions is essential, as is the ability to control workload with varying demands, whilst applying attention to detail with a diplomatic and proactive approach. You will possess previous experience within a similar role.

Duties include:

  • Preparing project quotations.
  • Processing sales and purchase orders.
  • Preparing/checking customers' invoices.
  • Data validation/attention to detail checking customer purchase orders/project information.
  • Proactively managing customer relations with both approved contractors, suppliers and external sales teams.
  • Managing inter-departmental communications relating to project quotes/orders/deliveries/invoicing.
  • Co-ordination of project pricing, deliveries and problem-solving customer queries.
  • Ability to adapt communication style/approach to manage a diverse range of tasks throughout the project process.

Key experience required includes:

  • Previous experience in high-level administration, with strong attention to detail and excellent customer service skills
  • Experience within a sales support function would be advantageous.
  • A proactive approach to workload, rather than reactive.

Hybrid working is available after successful completion of the probationary period — a minimum of 3 days in the office and up to 2 days working from home

Hours: Monday – Friday (9:00am - 5:00pm).

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
Sales Manager
Sector: Sales
Location: South East
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913721
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing Sudbury-based business seeking a Sales Manager to join their long-standing team.

Due to continued growth, this newly created role will play a key part within the sales and marketing team — delivering exceptional service to new and existing customers while managing ongoing accounts.

You’ll act as the vital link between customers and the technical teams, ensuring every interaction reinforces the company’s reputation for excellence.

The sales team is expected to know their clients, and therefore, a minimum of 50% of your time will be spent in front of customers.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Prospect and build a pipeline of winnable projects.
  • Negotiate and close transactions.
  • Provide outstanding customer service to new and existing clients.
  • Build and nurture relationships to drive customer satisfaction, retention, and repeat business.
  • Understand customer needs and effectively communicate product information, features, and benefits.
  • Support customers throughout the sales cycle, from enquiry through to delivery and aftersales.
  • Manage time and priorities effectively to meet deadlines and maintain high service standards.

Skills and qualifications include:

  • Proven experience in prospecting new clients, preparing proposals, negotiating and closing disinfection sales in the water and wastewater industry.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills — confident, clear, and customer-focused.
  • Strong ability to build rapport, listen actively, and translate customer needs into practical solutions.
  • Solid understanding of the sales process and relationship management.
  • Skilled at explaining technical products in an approachable way (training provided).
  • Effective time management, organisation, and follow-through.

This is an excellent opportunity to grow and develop within a successful team and business.

If you are a hungry and driven salesperson - this role is for you!

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