First impression 'key to success' - graduate jobs

First impressions are indeed everything it would seem, with young graduates being reminded to impress prospective employers in interviews, according to a new study.

The report commissioned by clothing retailer High and Mighty found that employers take their first impressions of candidates very seriously and that nearly half of them (46%) would not hire a candidate if their appearance and attire failed to impress.

A third of employers said they would even consider cutting short an interview if a candidate is not dressed up properly.

The study, which collected and examined views from 3000 employers from across the UK, also found that an oversized suit is the worst fashion faux-pas in an interview, as voted by (46%) interviewers.

Stained or dirty shirt (43%), unpolished shoes (32%) and a poorly tied tie (22%) are among the other top turn offs.

"There is no excuse for failing to dress to impress for an interview, we all know that it's tough out there, so candidates must go that extra mile when it comes to looking the part, to ensure they stand out for all the right reasons," said Gill Politis, managing director of High and Mighty.

Copyright Press Association 2011