How to be successful in interviews

How to be successful in interviews

The day of your interview has arrived, you really want, you need this job. You’re nervously waiting in reception with all the other candidates for the interviewer to call your name, you’re thinking “are they more experienced than me? They look confident, they look like they are ready to go”. They may have what it takes to do the job, but can they smash this interview like you can?

Just like everyone else in their working life, we all have to attend at least one dreaded job interview. If you want to succeed in the business world you have to climb the career ladder, having rivals at each interview, everyone wants that ‘great opportunity’ and to be successful. With almost all industries being highly competitive how do you stand out from other candidates and steal that job from under your competition's nose?

With almost all industries being highly competitive how do you stand out from other candidates...  

Just Recruitment has made a name for itself over the last 40 years, we aren’t just a recruitment company that helps people get a job, we get individuals the job. We provide candidates with CV and interview preparation tips, we provide them with the skills they need to get the job.

Here at Just Recruitment, we want you to succeed therefore we have detailed below the information you need to sail through the interview and secure that job.

Self-Image

Self-image is becoming increasingly important within the life of business, but on a scale of 1 – 10 how much thought do you put into creating a positive first impression?

In today’s fast-paced society, it only takes a couple of seconds for interviewers to judge your personal image and to know if you are the right person for that role. Typically, 60% of an interviewer’s decision is based on how you present yourself, 25% is your handshake, that leaves just 15% for the words we use.

Your CV may have gotten you through the door but now it’s time for your personality to shine.

We believe that projecting the correct corporate image is a definitive moment for all employers and in fact recruitment agencies too. First impressions are key, now that you are through the door you have to emphasise your “wow” factor.

Communication Skills

How you communicate is crucial. Soft skills and good communication are just as, if not more important than the qualifications you have presented to the interviewers.

How to be successful in interviewsKey things you need to remember during the interview:

  • Be clear and concise (try not to mumble or waffle on, get your point across).
  • Do not rush your words, take it slow.
  • Remember who you are talking to.

Perception

How do you want to be perceived? Think about how you are coming across when meeting new people.

What do you stand for? Do you know what your values are? If you are unsure, or you just presume that you make a good first impression, get your friends and family to test you and remember to get feedback.

Preparation

First things first, be prepared. Your interviewer is a skilled business person, they know what they are looking for in a candidate.

It is astounding to know that many people show up to their interviews not prepared, not knowing the name of the potential employer, not doing their research. Here are some points to help you prepare.

  • Know your potential employer, company and interviewer.
  • Make sure you know where you are going so you aren’t late.
  • Research the company, what they do, what its values are, what services do they provide, what and who is their target market.
  • Know the job specification that you are being interviewed for.
  • Be ready for questions, conventional and unconventional, they may ask about your work ethic, your functions in your current employment or how you approach tasks.
  • Ask questions, it shows that you are inquisitive, you are keen about the job and the company.
  • We understand that you want to ask about the benefits of their company such as; holiday, salary, bonus’ but you need to be patient as these questions should be asked on the second or final interview.
  • Always speak positively about moving forward.
Research the company, what do they do, what its values are, what services do they provide...  

Attitude

Have a can-do attitude. It’s never a good start if you don’t look or sound happy to be there, a smile does go a long way.

Ensure you are punctual, arrive at least five – ten minutes early. The interviewer tends to keep people waiting, it’s one of their many tactics so don’t sweat it.

If you are going to be late, let someone know as soon as possible whether it be your agency or the client themselves.

Positives

From the start of your application you are portraying who you are, therefore when you complete your application form ensure everything is filled out neatly and to the best of your ability. Don’t be lazy.

Again smile. A little smile never hurt anyone.

Make eye contact when speaking with your interviewer(s), try not to let your eyes wander.

Conduct yourself as a strong individual and you are there to secure the job.

You are there to sell yourself, accentuate your positives. Make the interviewers aware of the positives you can bring to the company if you were to secure the position.

When answering questions, ensure you are giving truthful answers and not eccentric lies, they will figure it out.

Lastly, remember you are selling yourself, you are marketing yourself and alerting them that your skills, attributes and your experiences are all relevant to the position and the culture of the client’s business.

Negatives

Try your best to avoid answering questions with closed answers, instead of answering with a ‘yes or a no’ try and expand on your answer, engage with the questions.

Never insult or make derogatory remarks about your current or past employers.

Turn your phone on silent or switch it off! The dreaded ‘buzz’ of a ringing phone will dash any hopes of a second interview.

Dress Code

There’s no such thing as overdressing for an interview. Go in your best bib and tucker and you’ll never feel anything less than a decent candidate who’s keen to impress.

Always wear your smartest clothes, this demonstrates to the company and interviewer how keen you are on the job, you’re showing them that you know how to behave in their world.

Avoid. Avoid. Avoid!

  • Don’t lack enthusiasm, don’t sit there acting as if you don’t care about the job. They won’t hire you if you’re not interested.
  • Overbearing, aggressive, arrogant or a ‘know-it-all’.
  • Weak handshake.
  • Don’t disrespect your previous colleagues or employers.
  • Failure to keep good eye contact.
  • Try not to talk about the salary too much.
  • Don’t forget your manners, a lack of maturity or courtesy is a big no, no and it will not be appreciated if you come across rude.
  • Do not show up looking scruffy as discussed above, dress to impress.

Closing interview

Now the interview is coming to an end, if you are interested in the role it may be time to ask about the next interview stage(s) if applicable. If you are offered the job on the spot you don’t have to accept it right away, you can ask for time to think about your decision, it might be a good idea to ask them if they can wait until a certain date.

Don’t be discouraged or panic if you haven’t got a decision from the recruiters immediately, they probably have other interviews booked or they would like time to make their decision, after all they need to pick the appropriate candidate for the role.

Sometimes you may get the impression that you haven’t got the job, or you get the feeling that you haven’t impressed the recruiter, however, you may be surprised that interviewers don’t always convey their emotions and you may have successfully landed the role. Patience is a virtue.

Finally thank the interviewers for interviewing you and giving you this opportunity.

Now relax you’ve got this!

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
Banish interview nerves: a four-step plan
Five goals to achieve within your first year at a new job

 

Published: 29 January 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

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Digital Marketing Executive
Sector: Marketing, Advertising and PR
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC17
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a skilled Digital Marketing Executive to join an exciting company based in Ipswich.

You will be responsible for driving business growth and boosting brand visibility through digital channels.  The role involves developing digital strategies, managing SEO, SEM, email campaigns, and social media—particularly within a B2B context. Creativity and a strong grasp of digital tools are essential.

After successfully completing the probationary period, hybrid working is available — with a minimum of 3 days in the office and up to 2 days working from home each week. Hours are 9am to 5pm.

Duties include:

  • Working with the Marketing Manager to execute the marketing strategy.
  • Drive the development, evolution and progression of websites.
  • Facilitate content population and migration, defining content, meta descriptions and relevant back-end tags as appropriate, manually transferring content and assets as required.
  • Review webpages for accuracy of copy, internal links and downloads.
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  • Integrate SEO into content plans, create and optimise engaging content for the website and social media.
  • Create new web pages to meet the needs of the business and the marketing plan, conducting analysis through tracking tools and reporting.

Vital professional expertise required:

  • A minimum of three years' experience in a digital marketing role.
  • Website Content Management Systems.
  • Website reporting and analytics tools (e.g. GA4).
  • A/B testing and other forms of optimisation.
  • Social media platforms and scheduling tools (e.g. Hootsuite).
  • PPC & Email marketing.
  • Prepare reports on marketing and ROI metrics.
  • Working within B2B industry.

 

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

 

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Office Support Co-ordinator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Salary: £25,250 per annum
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB05
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with an established manufacturer, based in Tiverton, Devon, to recruit an Office Support Coordinator.

Hours: 35 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 8.30am/9.00am to 4.30pm/5.00pm.

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Duties will include:

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Required key skills include:

  • Exceptional communication and customer service skills to include: interpersonal, verbal and written
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  • The ability to communicate professionally at all levels
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  • Discreet, professional, and collaborative in a multi-functional team environmentExcellent written English skills, with the ability to produce clear, professional documents.
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Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Job ref: JC16
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Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, based near Clacton-on-Sea, to recruit a Workshop Fitter to join their long-standing team.

Duties include:

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Please note that, due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

 

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

 

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Sector: Public Service and Administration
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Contract: Permanent
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About the role

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The role will primarily focus on uploading orders and quotes, accurately interpreting dimensions from drawings, and demonstrating a keen eye for detail to ensure items are produced with the right first-time approach, meeting customer requirements.

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

 

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Sector: Public Service and Administration
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Contract: Permanent
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About the role

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Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 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
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Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Salary: £28,000 per annum
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Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913731
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, based on the outskirts of Sudbury, to recruit a Logistics Administrator to join their team on a full-time basis.

The key purpose of this role is to support the warehouse/logistics team with all admin and office-based tasks, managing the transport and delivery of products as required.

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Role requirements include:

  • Proficiency in logistics systems and processes.
  • Experience in warehouse operations.
  • Knowledge of supply chain management principles.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills - you pick up the phone or speak to people in person where possible instead of sending an email.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Computer literate – able to follow processes across different systems and maintain records in Excel.
  • Excellent organisational and time-management skills, ability to organise own workload and manage time effectively to meet deadlines and lead times required for deliveries to different locations/customers.
  • Able to work autonomously or as part of a team, you take a positive, proactive, problem-solving approach to tasks.

The working hours for this role are Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm.

This is an office/site-based role.

Due to the working location, you will need access to your own transport.

This role offers a competitive salary with company benefits, and it is an excellent time to join the expanding business.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Business Development Manager
Sector: Sales
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC14
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic and results-driven Business Development Manager to join an exciting company based on the outskirts of Ipswich.

You will play a crucial role in driving the company's growth by developing and executing strategic sales plans, expanding the customer base, and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. This role is essential for achieving the company's sales targets and maintaining its competitive edge in the market.

Duties include:

  • Developing and implementing a business development sales plan to achieve company objectives, including: Team leadership, development, motivation, performance monitoring and reporting.
  • Carrying out outbound sales calls to meet sales targets/telemarketing.
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  • Client visits to determine needs and develop proposals to meet these.
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  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with existing and potential clients.
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  • Preparing, presenting sales reports and forecasts to senior management.

Skills required include:

  • Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
  • Highly motivated, proactive, and able to work independently and with the sales team, willingness to learn.
  • In-depth understanding of sales performance metrics and data analysis.
  • Ability to travel as required and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Benefits include:

  • Competitive salary and looking to develop performance-based bonuses.
  • Supportive and collaborative work environment.

 

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
Accounts Administrator (Full or Part-time)
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913707
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing family business based on the outskirts of Colchester to recruit an Accounts Administrator to their team.

Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm. The hours can be flexible, including a four-day work week or school-friendly hours.

Please note that due to the location, you will need to drive.

You will need to have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with Sage 50 accounts and Sage payroll, with the ability to work on your own initiative.

The role is focused within the remit of bookkeeping up to the trial balance, using Sage software.

Duties include:

  • Ensuring timely and accurate recording of financial transactions.
  • Daily financial operations, including posting supplier invoices, reconciliation of supplier accounts, accounts payable management, creation of customer invoices, accounts receivable management, etc.
  • Performing bank/credit-card reconciliations, including a factoring banking account and petty cash accounts.
  • Quarterly VAT returns and analysis. (including RTI submission to HMRC).
  • Preparing weekly aged creditors reports and processing the weekly supplier payment run accordingly.
  • Preparing monthly aged debtors reports and providing credit control where required.
  • Maintaining the cashflow forecast for the Finance director to review.
  • Processing monthly payroll, payments, journal entries and year-end procedures (including RTI submission to HMRC)
  • Managing auto-enrolment pension contributions, submissions and legal returns to the pensions regulator.

Skills required include:

  • Significant experience in finance or accounting.
  • Proficiency with accounting software Sage 50 and payroll.
  • Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet software such as Excel.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience in data entry.
  • Effective decision-making and problem-solving techniques within a finance environment.

 

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
H&S & Facilities Support Coordinator (12 month contract)
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JC13
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for an H&S & Facilities Support Coordinator to join an exciting company based in Ipswich.

In this fast-paced role, you’ll play a key part in supporting the Health & Safety and Facilities teams by coordinating procedures, managing documentation, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. The position requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a process-driven environment.

As this is a maternity cover position, you will need to hit the ground running; previous experience within a similar role will be vital to your success in the role.

Duties include:

  • Maintaining up-to-date maintenance records and electronic files, ensuring compliance requirements are met regarding the servicing and repairs at the company premises.
  • Providing reception/switchboard cover (during lunches, absences, and holidays).
  • Assisting with the management of the programme of planned and unplanned works.
  • Taking responsibility for contractors working on the premises.
  • Supporting H&S/ISO team in all aspects of administration.
  • Performing admin support with amendments/updates to H&S/ISO policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Assisting with ISO standards administration.

Skills required:

  • Strong attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.
  • Ability to prioritise tasks and manage workload effectively.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a confident telephone manner.
  • Proven organisational and administrative abilities.
  • A proactive, supportive team player with a hands-on approach.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and database systems.
  • Comfortable working under tight deadlines.

Hybrid working is available after successfully completing the probationary period. The role requires 3 days per week in the office, with the option to work up to 2 days from home.

 

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