Most job interviews decided 'within seconds'

Some managers make their mind up about a job applicant within seconds of meeting a candidate, new research in the UK showed today.

A poll of almost 1,000 employers showed most knew within a minute of meeting someone if they would be suitable for the job.

A minority said they did not know whether they would hire someone until an interview had ended.

Most of those questioned by employment law firm Peninsula said they had recruited someone only to regret it later.

Reasons for not offering someone a job included inappropriate dress sense, lack of enthusiasm, bad manners, lack of preparation, being interested only in salary or giving one-word answers to questions.

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, said: “It is no real surprise that employers are experiencing difficulty in employing the right person for a job.

“It is a difficult process to select the right candidate.”