jobs.ac.uk, one of the leading international jobs boards for careers in academic, research, science and related professions, today announced the results of its annual jobseeker survey. The online survey of 680 jobseekers was conducted in April and provides an in-depth look at job searching activity and trends.
The survey revealed that whilst two thirds of respondents are actively seeking new opportunities, the biggest challenge currently facing jobseekers is a lack of jobs and opportunities. Respondents also reported competition from other applicants and the economic environment as major obstacles.
Other key findings
- 72% use social media to aid their career or search jobs
- 70% said the main factor to accepting a job was challenging/interesting work
- Only 69% conducted an internet search of the employer before a job interview
- 59% of jobseekers are happy with their work-life balance
- 36% search for jobs on their smartphones
- 17% of jobseekers search for jobs during work-time
Respondents also recounted the most unusual or surprising questions asked by employers during a job interview. Some of the responses included:
- What biscuit would you be?
- If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why
- How are your anxiety levels right now, on a scale of 1-10?
- Tell us a joke
- If there was a snake in the reception area what would you do?
The research also unveiled perceptions of jobs.ac.uk and found:
- 74% of respondents have found a job through jobs.ac.uk
- 96% would recommend jobs.ac.uk to a friend
- 20% have been using jobs.ac.uk for over 5 years
Commenting on the findings, Carl Freelove, Marketing Manager at jobs.ac.uk, said “The results of this survey reveal important statistics that shed light on the attitudes and expectations of current job hunters. Job competition still remains fierce but it’s encouraging to see that jobs.ac.uk is offering some help with nearly three quarters of respondents having found their job via jobs.ac.uk.”
More than 70% of the survey’s respondents were based in the UK, with the remainder located in Europe, North America and Caribbean, Asia Pacific and Africa. Over half of the respondents work in academic, research and professional or managerial roles.
Visit jobs.ac.uk to see an infographic of the survey results
