Companies failing Brit jobseekers

56% of people that have experienced a bad interview blame the interviewer

Reasons given include lateness, rudeness, sexism and even drunkenness

43% of those whoíve had a bad interview turned down the job offer because of it

Company reputations on the line because of poor interview techniques

A third (34%) of job seekers want to fit with the companyís culture and values

October 2007, London: British businesses are making a bad first impression on job seekers, putting off potential employees with a lack of basic interviewing skills and losing out on talent, according to research released today by T-Mobile. The survey, of more than 2,000 people, found that 56% of those people who came away from a job interview with a bad impression of the company, blamed it on the interviewer, citing rudeness, lateness, sexism and even drunkenness amongst other reasons. 43% of those who had a bad interview went as far as to turn down their subsequent job offer.

Reasons cited for a bad interview experience ranged from the professional to the personal. 40% of people were asked questions that were completely unrelated to the job, over a third (35%) said that the interviewer was unprepared and nearly one in five stated that they didnít like the company culture and values. Worryingly, 18% of interviewers were late, 16% were sexist, 7% were racist, 7% had bad personal hygiene and nearly 2% were drunk.

What candidates want
Despite their bad experiences, respondents were clear about what they do expect when they attend an interview - 78% want to see a pleasant working environment, 50% want a clear plan of career progression outlined, over half (55%) want to be asked intelligent questions relating to the job and over a third (34%) want to fit with the companyís culture and values. Interviewees also looked for qualities in the company that they think will give them workplace happiness - for example, 43% want to work with like-minded people.

First impressions count
ìInterviewees are always under pressure to create a good first impression, but it seems that businesses need to feel a bit of that pressure as well,î says Mark Martin, HR Director at T-Mobile UK. ìThey should be passionate and capable of recruiting the right people with the right values or risk losing out on the best talent. Candidates are beginning to place a companyís culture and values at the top of their agenda, so businesses need to think about how these are expressed in an interview situation - or their reputation and brand could be on the line.î

Judi James, a leading expert in body language, image, workplace culture and communication skills, says: ìIn an interview situation, judgements are being made on both sides - this is a prospective candidateís first experience of a companyís culture and values. It is just as important for employers to impress, because people will turn down job offers if they feel the company doesnít take them seriously or treat them respectfully.î

James continues: ìInterviews can be stressful and tricky at the best of times, but if you do find it going badly through no fault of your own then donít panic. Keeping your cool and remaining dignified in an awkward situation will create a great impression and if the interviewer is that bad then you probably wonít want the job anyway.î

Judiís tips for candidates who have a bad interview experience are:

Never allow yourself to become paranoid. Job-hunting can be an exhausting, demoralising experience but remember that it was the bad interviewer who failed to impress, not you. Avoid taking resentment, negativity or low-self esteem into your next interview.

Use the motivational phrase: ëCancel and Continueí. You had one bad interview - donít think that speaks for all companies. Write it off to experience and re-boot your energies for the next opportunity.

If you feel you were the victim of prejudice then contact your CAB (Citizensí Advice Bureau).

Be charming at all times. Maybe the companyís not at fault and youíve just met their one bad apple.

However do remember you have rights - never feel railroaded into talking about subjects like age, marriage or children that could prejudice your chances.

If it makes you feel better, write a polite, professional letter explaining that you would prefer to be taken off the list of potential candidates for that job.