Research by city firm Portfolio Payroll has revealed that most job candidates get so nervous before an interview that they experience sleepless nights and under perform during the meeting.

The study polled 1,753 people across the UK, 82 per cent of whom dread face-to-face interviews. A further 93 per cent claimed the stress and nerves were such an issue it rendered them unable to give off their best.

The implications for businesses are fairly serious as many quality candidates are (presumably) slipping through the net because they haven’t had their full eight hours the night before! Managing Director of Portfolio, Danny Done, said:

"What is clear is that the tradition of face-to-face interviews is fast becoming a method for employers to observe how candidates react under a stressful situation, rather than finding the suitable candidate for the position available."



“Research into the area has indicated that using different techniques of recruitment enables employers to make a more informed decision and ensures candidates have an opportunity to sell themselves more".

In the plus column the study revealed that 75 per cent of respondents prepared prior to interview, which is fundamental to put yourself in a relaxed frame of mind for any interview. On the flipside, of course, there was the 25 per cent who did no preparation whatsoever!

However bad an interview experience you have had to endure, console yourself with the thought that you cannot have performed as badly as some of the following. The Washington Post interviewed HR executives from 100 major American companies to gauge some of the more ‘interesting’ habits of job applicants:

• One candidate, who clearly wasn't suffering from low self-esteem, claimed to be so well qualified that if he didn’t get the job, it would prove the company’s management was incompetent.


• Another, enthusiastic contender, said if he were hired he would demonstrate his loyalty by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm.


• An applicant, with admirable honesty, admitted to not really wanting a job, but the unemployment office needed proof that he was looking for one.


• One lady wore a Walkman and claimed she could listen to the interviewer and the music at the same time. That’s alright then.


• A man ~ perhaps a touch over zealously ~ demanded to see the interviewer’s resume to see if the HR executive was qualified to evaluate the candidate.


• Finally, a man (who we can only assume will shortly be appearing on Crimewatch) pulled out a Polaroid camera and snapped a flash picture of the interviewer whilst divulging he collected photos of everyone who interviewed him.