'One in three' bungle job interviews

'One in three' bungle job interviews

Almost half put their gaffes down to nerves; others were over-confident

One in three workers believe they have missed out on a dream job after making "basic blunders" in an interview, according to a survey.

Top mistakes included arriving late after getting lost, being caught lying on a CV, wearing inappropriate clothes and calling the interviewer by the wrong name.

Almost half of the 1,500 office workers polled by recruitment firm Office Angels blamed nerves.

But one in five admitted to having been over-confident.

COMMON BLUNDERS

Arriving late after getting lost

Being caught lying on a CV

Wearing inappropriate clothes

Calling the interviewer by the wrong name

Source: Office Angels survey

BBCi: Preparing for a job interview

Paul Jacobs, managing director of Office Angels, said preparation was the key to a successful interview.

"Interviews are a tense period of time loaded with expectation.

"The important point to bear in mind is to not let nerves or ill-preparation result in a blunder on the day.

"Interviews are by their nature challenging - so it's best to make sure you're as prepared as possible."

'Be punctual'

Office Angels urged jobseekers to dress smartly at interviews, research the company they hoped to join and allow plenty of time for travel.

This is similar to advice given on Careers Portal, part of the National Grid for Learning.

The top of its top five tips for interview preparation was to work out your route there and how long it would take.

Second was to research the company, and third was to choose an optimum time for interview if possible - ie, not the mornings if you are not a "morning person".

Fourth was "look good", and fifth was "be punctual" - or at least call if you know you are going to be delayed.