It's difficult to believe, but according to a recent survey by human capital solutions company CareerBuilder, which recently bought Singapore job board JobsCentral, a person interviewing for a job in the US actually answered her mobile phone during the interview – and then asked the interviewer to vacate her own office so the candidate could have a private conversation.

• The candidate smelled his armpits on the way to the interview room

• The candidate said he did not expect to stay with the company for a long time because he might inherit money from his uncle, who was not ‘looking too good’

• The candidate apologised for not being able to provide a writing sample because the reports she had done were for the secret police and were ‘classified’ information

• Offered refreshments before the interview, the applicant said no because he did not want his stomach filled with grease before going drinking

• The hiring manager heard the candidate flushing the toilet during the phone interview.

• The candidate took out a hair brush and brushed her hair during the interview

• The candidate asked the company to pay him to interview with them because his time was valuable

• Keep calm. Leave the house with plenty of time to get to the interview, avoid caffeine if possible and take deep, calming breaths.

• Practice makes perfect. You’ll feel more comfortable the more you prepare for the interview, and in turn, it will help decrease your anxiety. Rehearse ahead of time with friends or family, do your homework on the company and be prepared for common interview questions.

• See for yourself. Look in a mirror while practicing interview responses or videotape yourself to figure out your typical physical movements, and whether or not you need to change them.