More than three-quarters of employers are put off a CV by spelling mistakes, according to a new survey.

Hertfordshire University researchers surveyed 515 companies and found that 77 per cent of employers would decline to interview candidates with bad grammar.

Poor English was followed by obvious CV exaggerations (34 per cent) and a poorly presented job application (31 per cent).

Almost half of employers ranked relevant work experience as one of the top three things they look for in potential new recruits.

Forty-three per cent look for evidence of a good 'work ethic' and two-fifths cited a degree subject relevant to the job as one of the most important factors.

Just 24 per cent of recruiters interviewed claimed to be interested in the class of degree, while only 14 per cent were worried about the reputation of the university they had attended.

The survey also found that three-quarters of employers believed graduates who had work experience would adjust more easily into the world of work and settle in more quickly.

Candidates who showed ambition, maturity and natural leadership were also looked upon favourably by recruiters.

Alison Coles, head of Development and Alumni at Hertfordshire University, said: "The benefits of employing graduates was clear to the employers we spoke to, and students opening their exam results next week should also appreciate the benefits a university education can bring them.

"Those that do go on to higher education will have significant advantages over their peers - from having higher employment rates to increasing the probability of a higher wage in the future."

Anusha Everson, the university's director for graduate employment, added: "It's clear that gaining real-life work experience as part of your course, or on your own initiative, is an absolutely key requirement for students getting ready to go to university this September.

"Those students yet to decide which university to go to, or who find themselves in clearing would be well advised to look for courses which combine relevant subjects with opportunity to gain first hand, practical experience."

Top ten factors employers look for when recruiting:
1) Relevant work experience (46 per cent)
2) Good work ethic attitude (43 per cent)
3) Degree subject studied (41 per cent)
4) Ability to be a team player (32 per cent)
5) Mature attitude (30 per cent)
6) Class of degree (24 per cent)
7) Easygoing, cheerful attitude (23 per cent)
8) Reputation of university attended (14 per cent)
9) Ambitious and career minded (11 per cent)
10) Natural leadership (10 per cent)

Top ten factors which would put an employer off a candidate:
1) Poor spelling, grammar in application (77 per cent)
2) Obvious exaggerations (34 per cent)
3) Poorly presented application (31 per cent)
4) No relevant work experience (19 per cent)
5) Non-targeted CV / covering letter (19 per cent)
6) No covering letter with CV (14 per cent)
7) Hand written application / CV (11 per cent)
8) No interests or extra curricular activities (10 per cent)
9) Incorrect contact details for employer (10 per cent)
10) Statements in CV not supported by examples (8 per cent)