A survey from a leading independent job board reveals that men take almost as long as women to get ready for a job interview and are more in tune with their appearance, paying attention to even the smallest style details.

The survey was conducted amongst over 3,000 active job-hunters, with over 1,500 men and 1,500 women participating. The results reveal clear gender differences when it comes to getting ready for an interview, suggesting that businesses should take particular note of minor details:

– Eager to please,42% of men call ahead of an interview to check on the dress code, whilst only 29% women believe it's essential to get right            

– Focused on the detail, a staggering 93% of men shine their shoes, with 69% paying particular attention to their socks

– 86% of men would get a haircut before an interview, compared to just 79% of women

– On average, men take only 9 minutes less time than women to get ready for an interview, showing little difference between the genders when it comes to primping time

– 1 in 10 men give themselves more than 2 hours to get ready for an interview

– Men spend more money on their interview outfit, with 61% willing to spend over £100, in comparison to just 10% of women

Proving that interview success goes beyond experience and skills, men are increasingly turning to their appearance in an attempt to gain points with a potential employer. These revelations come at a time when the gender pay gap is still an issue, suggesting there is also a correlating difference between men and women when it comes to interview etiquette.

Contrary to popular belief, women do not take hours' longer to get ready than men. In the age of the metrosexual, the average gent takes 44 minutes to get ready for an interview. In comparison, women take just 53 minutes, a mere 9 minutes longer than their male rivals.

Interestingly men are more inclined to suffer through an uncomfortable temperature to ensure their attire is professional – 68% of men would still wear a suit jacket on a hot day, while a lesser 55% of women would brave the heat. Continuing on this trend, the majority of men (96.4%) would still wear smart shoes and socks to an interview, regardless of soaring temperatures.

Lee Biggins, managing director of CV-Library, comments: “It’s great to see both men and women paying particular attention to their appearances for an interview. While a CV will indicate a candidate’s suitability for a role, a job interview provides businesses with the opportunity to learn more about an individual’s personality. Someone that has clearly spent time preparing for an interview demonstrates commitment and is likely to value both their profession and employer.”