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Graduates are becoming increasingly turned off by "quirky" interview questions, according to new research.

The findings from Sainsbury's show that students would prefer serious questions about their suitability to the job rather than abstract questions.

Jo Gidley, graduate recruitment manager at Sainsbury's explained: "A question like 'Which planet would you visit and why?' is a seen as remote and ethereal...and the obsession with pick a 'cake, biscuit or type of food to be' is worryingly prevalent but frustratingly irrelevant."

She added that recruiters need to understand that an interview is a two-way process as candidates are forming their own first impressions about a company.

Helen Prince, one of Sainsbury's current graduate ambassadors, noted that students are happy to answer lateral thinking questions and be tested but would rather not tackle questions that seem "forced" in their creativity.

Graduate job seekers were recently advised that body language is key in preparing for interviews.

Expert Judi James, who specialises in body language, communications skills and social behaviour, said people should take the time to rehearse certain behaviours such as eye contact prior to an interview.

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