The survey, conducted by Peninsula, the UK's largest employment law firm, also revealed that more than 8 in 10 employers polled have employed someone and later regretted it.
The employers surveyed (937 across a wide range of industries) revealed a range of ways in which an interviewee can scupper the chances of getting the job. The top ten reasons for rejecting interviewees were:
- Inappropriate dress - 25%
- Lack of enthusiasm - 21%
- Bad manners - 12%
- Lack of preparation - 9%
- Lack of inquisitiveness about the company - 8%
- Interested only in salary - 8%
- Body language - 7%
- One word answers - 5%
- Failure to show ambition - 3%
- Poor eye contact - 2%
- Almost two thirds of employers (62%) believe applicants should not attempt to discuss salary during interviews.
- Almost the same proportion (60%) make up their mind about the candidate's suitability or otherwise within a minute of starting the interview.
"From the results gathered it makes no real surprise that employers are experiencing difficulty in employing the right person for a job. It is a difficult process to select the right candidate for a position as interviews tend to bring out candidates who will, a lot of the time, adjust themselves to suit a position. So great care and attention is needed by the employer when conducting interviews."
