Job seekers are missing out on their dream role by relying on fashion rather than good interview skills and preparation.

A study of 5,000 candidates by online recruiters www.jobsite.co.uk found one in three jobseekers failed to receive a single job offer in the past year thanks to ill-prepared interviews and an inability to sell themselves to prospective employers.

Underperforming applicants also blamed their failure to get hired on nerves (11%), while 9% thought they were merely out of practice, especially as some admitted modern interview techniques left them flummoxed.

More worryingly, many candidates are overlooking interview preparation in favour of looking the part, with 16% relying on a new suit to get the job and 7% opting for a new haircut. Others were more superstitious than fashion conscious, with one in 20 applicants hoping their ‘lucky’ underwear would help secure the role.

Keith Potts, CEO of Jobsite.co.uk, said: “Our candidates tell us it’s one thing to find a job that matches your skills and experience, but quite another to be able to sell yourself in an interview chair.”