Practice your handshake - and don't ask for biscuits

Have a firm handshake and don’t ask for biscuits – just two of the golden rules of applying for a job that are confirmed in a new survey of employers, released by international recruiter Hudson today.

The chief finding is that old rules still apply! The classic advice to ensure your handshake is memorable still stands, according to more than two thirds (68%) of employers who rate this as important or highly important.  

And in line with our ever more time-precious world, CVs should still be short, with two pages the optimum length, according to 57 per cent of employers. A more casual, ‘digital’ culture has not changed expectations when it comes to the interview room either: formal business attire is still rated as important, along with, unsurprisingly, good hygiene. 

Bill Cullen-esque aggressive questioning seems to be largely a thing of the past, with 72% of those surveyed not condoning it. However, jobseekers would be prudent to be wary, as 28% did admit they might test a candidate in this fashion.

Hudson conducted the research to explore the dos and don’ts of CV writing and job interviews, and one of the biggest 'no-nos' is a very modern phenomenon: leaving your mobile phone on. Four out of five (78%) of employers surveyed said they are extremely unimpressed by this.

The survey also threw up some amusing anecdotes.  Among the most unusual things employers said they had seen on a CV were:

*A tea bag attached so that the employer could have a cuppa whilst reading it
*Pictures of an aeroplane designed to show what a high flyer the candidate was
*A hobby of ‘taking drugs’ 

And the 'most unusual thing to have happened while interviewing someone' included:

*The candidate shopping and then going to the checkout during a telephone interview 
*Someone who identified Hitler as their hero
*A request for biscuits!

Aileen Hallahan, Hudson, said: 'it’s interesting to note that despite a world that has changed dramatically over the last decade or so, many of the "traditional" approaches to and assumptions about CVs and interviews are still as current as ever. When it comes to what employers are looking for from a prospective employee, it is experience, knowledge, smartness, a positive attitude – and foresight! So letting your mobile go off in an interview is not a good idea!'

Hudson top tips include:

*Put relevant experience first: 88% of employers say they read this section first. Only 13% of employers said they are likely to read the ‘education’ section of a CV.  
*Don’t leave CV gaps unexplained: 92% of employers say a candidate should explain any gap in their work experience history. If you’ve been travelling, say so. If not, say what you used your time for, pulling out the skills you practiced or new experiences you gained.
*Think carefully about when to ask about salary: this is a tricky one. When it comes to asking about salary, opinion was split. One in four (27%) employers expect some form of query prior to interview, but 25% expect it at first interview stage and 23% at second interview. Candidates will need to make their own judgement call based on the particular job they are applying for. In general, our advice would normally be to investigate basic remuneration details before applying – after all, it seems common sense to want to know this information in order to make an informed decision as to whether you are right for the job, and it is right for you.