Graduate Job News

Employers are unhappy about the personal appearance – and the standards of personal hygiene – of growing numbers of interview candidates.

Recruitment industry trade association the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has reported that a staggering 47 per cent of employers have had complaints about the state in which candidates have turned up for interviews.

Body odour and apparent uncleanliness are cited as major turn-offs among interviewers – fairly comprehensibly – and yet the numbers of jobseekers turning up for an interview without apparently having washed must come as something of a surprise.

The REC survey also found that the vast majority of businesses had question marks over the clothing choices of some interview candidates – with one firm citing the case of a woman who thought that wearing a ball gown would make the right sort of impression.

"Candidates often feel nervous before and during interviews, which can explain odd clothing choices and erratic behaviour but by taking the time to prepare, job hunters are much more likely to be comfortable and confident during interviews," suggested REC director Tom Hadley.

With many companies already concerned about the employment-readiness of students and new graduates entering the workforce, the apparent laxity amongst jobseekers revealed by the REC's survey is a further cause for concern – although it represents an opportunity for the prepared.

Find and apply for graduate jobs through the Graduate Job Search, or use the All Jobs Search to find other types of student job vacancies and work opportunities.

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