Applicants with impressive résumés frequently disappoint in job interviews, according to research released today by Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI). More than six in 10 senior managers surveyed, 64%, said it’s common for an applicant with a promising résumé not to live up to expectations when interviewed.

The research also found that, on average, managers review 40 résumés per job opening and spend 12 minutes looking at each one. They interview an average of seven people per open position, and those meetings take an average of 41 minutes each.

Verifying relevant experience is the top reason employers interview job candidates, at 61%, followed by assessing soft skills and corporate culture fit at 21% and evaluating technical skills at 18%.

A lack of technical abilities and soft skills are common reasons new hires don’t work out, at 51% and 49% respectively.

“Finding good résumés is just one piece of the hiring puzzle,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director for Robert Half. “The full process can be challenging, but recruiters lighten the load and accelerate the timeline for employers by sorting through application materials, conducting initial interviews, and assessing skills and corporate culture fit. This allows hiring managers to focus their attention on candidates with the greatest potential.”

The survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 300 senior managers at US companies with 20 or more employees.