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I think you'd better sit down, because there's a new departure that will shock the nation: the Department of Work and Pensions has just published a report that could be immensely useful.

It contains the secrets to getting job in the current climate.

The job secrets

The department interviewed small businesses to ask what they were looking for when they were recruiting. They have come up with a definitive list of five things which will give candidates the edge. So how can you exploit them to find work in this tricky market?

1) Businesses were driven to find someone who already had all the skills and experience they needed to step into the job.

The secret is therefore to address the detail of the job from the outset. Even at the application stage you need to be able to demonstrate how you have done exactly what they need in a different environment. This may require some creative thinking, and working out how best to present your experience, but careful thought now could make all the difference in getting to the next stage.

2) Flexibility and adaptability were vital.

Small companies need to work miracles to flourish in the current environment. They need everyone to work harder and smarter: it's just that kind of environment.

Demonstrate how you have done this in the past. You need to be able to show how you have gone the extra mile for your employer and demonstrate the passion to do the same in this role.

3) Reliability and stability in their private life were highly prized.The employers were looking for people who could show up and keep their mind on the job.

This is one to bear in mind for the interview stage. How can you prove you are a solid reliable person? Probably not going on about your divorce or your adrenaline sports hobbies, and focusing more on the areas of stability in your life: have you stayed with former employers? Have you stayed in the same area for years? Have you shown commitment to a sector and specialism? All these things will show your reliable side.

4) Personal attributes scored very highly: including work ethic, personality and honesty.

Your references can be essential here. We all have employers in our history who we got on very well with, who appreciated our work ethic and our personality. Make sure you include them as a reference, and talk to them about how keen you are for them to share these attributes.

5) There were some things that you cannot control that employers care deeply about - such as employment history and proximity to work.

Employers were looking for specific things in terms of location and history. At this stage you can't do much about either of them. Even if you are prepared to move, they won't be able to count on this during the interview process.

The solution therefore is not to worry about the things you can't change. It's important to think about what you can say to persuade an employer that these are unimportant. However, by far the best approach is to bring the conversation round to the things you can control, and make sure they see the best side of you rather than focusing on any problems.

But what do you think? Does this tally with your experience? What has won the day for you in the past? Let us know in the comments.