One of the UK’s leading job sites – CV Library – surveyed 300 employers across the UK and identified the worst things a candidate can do when they meet their potential employer for the first time

Lying, being late and poor personal hygiene are among the top 10 reasons people have been judged job interview failures, according to a new survey.

One of the UK’s leading job sites – CV Library – surveyed 300 employers across the UK and identified the worst things a candidate can do when they meet their potential employer for the first time.

It found that 79.3% admitted to being exasperated at the conduct of some interviewees. The top 10 list of interview blunders is:

1. Lying- 68.5%
2. Turning up late – 65.3%
3. Being arrogant – 45.1%
4. Not being hygienic – 29.6%
5. Boasting about other interviews/offers – 17.8%
6. Avoiding eye contact – 16.9%
7. Turning up under-dressed – 15.5%
8. Being sarcastic – 14.6%
9. Being too shy – 4.7%
10. Not shaking the interviewer’s hand – 4.7%

Lee Biggins, founder and chief executive of CV-Library, said: “The cost of making a bad hire can have a hugely negative effect on your business, especially for start-ups and organisations with thin profit margins. And that’s why it’s so important to filter and find the very best candidates throughout your interview process.

“Understandably, interview etiquette is important and should play a major part in evaluating a candidate. Of course, it’s only natural for a candidate to feel nervous or be a little rusty, but this doesn’t excuse taboos such as lying or turning up late without a justifiable excuse. If either of these happen during an interview, this should, without doubt, be a major red flag.”