TWO out of three people turn down jobs because they are unimpressed by the attitude and style of the firms interviewing them.
Nearly 4,500 job hunters were surveyed by employment consultancy reed.co.uk, and according to those interviewed, their top 10 worst complaints are:
Hanging around candidates frequently being left in reception areas, kitchens and offices for up to three hours without apology.
One interviewee claimed the female interviewer arrived late and carried out the interview wearing sunglasses.
Bad preparation turning up to find no room booked or interviewer present.
Poor presentation scruffy interviewers and offices are big turn off; one applicant was "shown the office which had desks propped up by crates".
Unread CVs employers who have not read CVs frequently infuriate job seekers. One respondent was seen by a "HR manager who interviewed me whilst reading someone else's CV".
Inappropriate flirting - interviewees being chatted up, sexual innuendos, with one potential employer "commenting on the size of my breasts," and another "staring at my body and flirting, openly driving the conversation to sex".
Lighting up whether it is chain smoking throughout an interview or meeting them smoking outside.
Taking calls people rushing out to take business calls. One interviewer "took three personal calls and dictated two letters to his PA during the interview".
Bad language bosses who swear or who are rude to staff during the interview.
Eating in interviews employers chewing gum or, as one particular employer did, "munched on a bacon sandwich whilst running the interview".
Being insulted one interviewer "made reference to my slight overweight and asked if I found my weight a problem?" whilst another asked a woman "if she still had an active womb."
According to Dan Ferrandino, managing director of reed.co.uk: "With unemployment hitting a 30-year low, demand for skilled workers and talented staff is now at a high.
"People looking for a new job are prepared to commit a great deal of time and resources in a company, so they need to believe that they will get as much out of a job as they are about to put in.
"You wouldn't buy a car from a showroom where you were kept waiting, the staff did not treat you with respect or that looked like it had been hit by a bomb.
"A job is far more important than buying a car or anything else. It is only right to expect employers to make the effort to gain your confidence."
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