The research revealed two main groups of jobseekers – those who had found a role between the two surveys, who we called the ACEs, and those still looking for a new job, the Chasers.

It was then possible to look back at their previous answers to determine what distinguishes these ACEs from those still looking, the Chasers.

Despite being demographically similar, three key characteristics differentiated the ACEs from the rest –

• optimism
• pro-activity
• decisiveness