Have you ever gone to an interview and answered the employer's questions in the way that you think they want? Perhaps you're not being 100% truthful, but their head is nodding and they're smiling, so that's got to be a good sign right? If you do this then don't worry as you're not alone.

New Jobsite research reveals that 91% of jobseekers do the same. However, if you're not being honest with the employer about what you want and expect from a job, then they could be hiring you for a position which you really don't suit. You might think that any job is better than no job, but you have to spend a lot of time at work and if you're unhappy, then you're probably going to be looking to move on again pretty soon.

Jobseekers are not the only ones that aren't being honest at the interview stage though. Often, employers aren't clear about what the job actually entails or what the company culture is like. This means that you could accept a job offer, believing it to be one thing and finding out when you start that it's something completely different.

We at Jobsite strongly believe in making your jobhunting experience easier and less stressful, that is why we conducted the in-depth research into the recruitment experience. We surveyed over 300 employers and 2000 jobseekers, alongside interviewing big name companies such as ITV, Carphone Warehouse, O2 and the Matchtech Group. The resulting report is called; 'In Pursuit of Happiness: The challenge of jobseeking in the UK today.' It discusses the research findings and also includes tips for both employers and jobseekers. Some of the highlights are below:

Our research found that…

• 59% of recruiters rely on good old-fashioned gut feeling when deciding whether to hire a candidate.
• 54% of candidates felt that they generally don't get enough information from employers to make properly informed decisions about a company or position.
• 27% of jobseekers think that employers ask too few questions while 17% think they ask too many.
• Over a fifth of recruiters make an instant decision on whether a candidate is suitable.
• 36% of companies think it takes 1-2 months to fill a vacancy.
• On average, 32% of employees leave a company within 2 years.
• On average, 68% of recruiters have decided not to retain employees at the end of their probationary period - most commonly because of personality and attitude issues.
• Over 65% of employees would consider moving to an organisation whose culture matched their personality better.

Top Tips for you

How to empower yourself to find an employer & job that suits you

• Think less about what you know and more about what drives you; ethically, motivationally and idealistically. To help jobseekers take charge of their life and better identify the employers and organisations that they are culturally suited to, we launched our Personal Profiles service. By providing jobseekers with a better understanding of their own values, motivations and workplace preferences. Completing this questionnaire also provides you with interview questions that will help you to find the right company for you.
  
• Think more about what you've achieved as opposed to when and where. Real examples of where you provided great customer service or closed a great deal will create far better impressions than where you went to school.
• Make simple changes to your interview technique, away from boasting and more towards confident expression of core beliefs and values.
  
• Include a section which references your ideals, beliefs and personality on your CV - an analysis of 20 CV's by leading psychologist Paul Morgan reveals a complete absence of information about personality, values and beliefs. Candidates should include more personality insights on their CVs to help indicate to a potential employer whether they will fit into a company.
• Take responsibility - research the company prior to the interview, go prepared with questions and if you'd like to be shown around the offices and meet some members of staff then ask. If you get invited back for a second assessment or are offered the job and there are still things that you'd like to know then request further information. No-one ever lost a potential job for showing initiative or being inquisitive and keen.

If you found the above interesting and would like to see more then please email: inpursuit@jobsite.co.uk and we will gladly send you a copy of the report.