Job candidates are missing out on potential opportunities by failing to sufficiently prepare for job interviews, according to new research.

Figures produced by Jobsite.co.uk suggest that people seeking new work have missed out on a combined £2.3 billion of potential earnings over the past year as a result of poor interview skills.

It was found that five per cent of candidates prepare to be quizzed by employers by wearing lucky pants or taking a good luck charm with them, while 11 per cent reported falling victim to nerves while in the hot seat.

"Our candidates tell us that 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," stated Keith Potts, chief executive officer of Jobsite.co.uk.

Research released last month by fish4jobs revealed that candidates could be disadvantaging themselves by including mistakes on their CVs, with 73 per cent of managers reporting that CV blunders are more off-putting than an interviewee wearing inappropriate clothing or swearing.