The best excuse to leave work for a job interview is...

WESTON, USA: A new global poll conducted by Monster, the worldwide leader in successfully connecting people to job opportunities and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. finds that 44 per cent of respondents consider telling their boss they have a medical appointment to be the best excuse to leave work for a job interview.

Another health related excuse, illness, was the second most popular choice at 15 per cent.

Monster asked "If you had to pick one, which is the best excuse to leave work for a job interview?" and received over 3,000 responses. International findings included:

* 44 per cent of respondents answered "Medical (Doctor/Dentist) appointment"

* 15 per cent of respondents answered "Illness"

* 8 per cent of respondents answered "Delivery/repairman"

* 12 per cent of respondents answered "Childcare"

* 21 per cent of respondents answered "Other"

Breaking down the numbers by region- French respondents are the most likely to create faux doctor's appointments when sneaking out for interviews, with 54 per cent answering that they believe it is the best excuse; conversely, French respondents are the least likely to fake an illness to excuse an interview related absence, with only 7 per cent selecting it as the best option.

Respondents in the US were the biggest proponents of the call in sick method, with 16 per cent choosing illness as their preferred excuse. Canadian respondents were the least likely to use a delivery/repairman excuse, with under 7 per cent selecting this option and were the most inclined to use a childcare related excuse, with 16 per cent picking this answer.

"Our research has indicated that employed workers continue to actively look for jobs. Juggling both a job and a job hunt can be tricky. Fortunately, finding a balance is easier than ever," said Mary Ellen Slayter, career advice expert for Monster.

"Employers should recognize that they have no choice but to be on both sides of this coin. Making it easy for people to be honest is a good approach. That means when you're recruiting, make an effort to schedule interviews before or after work hours -- or perhaps at lunch. With your own workers, don't press them about how they're spending their requested time off," said Slayter.