It's really helpful that we have all these survey results to count on otherwise we'd have no idea what the heck is going on.
Here's the scoop from CGMA Mag:
Job candidates appear to have brushed up on their résumé skills, but they’re still struggling to come off as polished in a job interview.
That’s one takeaway from a new survey by Accountemps, which asked US CFOs to list the part of the job application process where candidates made the most mistakes.
Forty-three per cent of respondents believe those seeking employment make the most mistakes during the interview, up from 32% in 2010, the last time Accountemps asked that question. The next most common trouble area is the résumé (or CV), which got 19% of the vote recently but 28% in 2010.
The other trouble spots from the recent survey, in order: interview follow-up, 11%; cover letter, 10%; phone interview/screen, 7%; reference check, 5%; don’t know, 5%. Another area of improvement from the previous survey is the reference check, which was picked by 10% of CFOs as a trouble spot in 2010.
The question is a bit loaded as it "asked US CFOs to list the part of the job application process where candidates made the most mistakes," so anyone with a perfect résumé, great references and mad interview skills doesn't apply. But, if you stink at getting hired, the interview is the most likely place you'll screw up, per this.
If you are one of those not-so-rare individuals who needs a little help in that area, please refer to our Definitive Guide to Interviews (and here's Part Two to help you prepare on interview day).
