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Guardian: Jobseekers need a positive attitude

If jobseekers are optimistic and take a positive approach to finding work they are more likely to secure a position, new research has shown.

A study conducted by the Guardian and Barkers found that successful applicants were 60 per cent more likely to describe themselves as optimistic about finding employment.

They were also more proactive as they regularly signed up for job alerts, uploaded their CVs on to online recruitment websites or took advice from family and friends.

Positive jobseekers applied for more vacancies than those with a more pessimistic attitude, attending an average of two interviews and filling in eight applications every month.

Helen Bird, head of Guardian Jobs, said they hoped to "discover any changes in jobseeker behaviour or attitudes over time".

"We wanted to test some hypotheses about successful job hunters and see whether or not they are true," she added.

Having good IT skills is essential for the modern-day jobseeker, according to the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.