British people more ‘confident’ about getting a job than three months ago

RA Now

Overall national job confidence has increased by 1.7 points in the last three months, rising from 51.8 to 53.5 out of 100, according to the Job Confidence Index from the National Careers Service.

Research for the index, which measures overall job confidence as well as job confidence among the unemployed, shows that 76% of the country became more job confident, or maintained the same confidence levels in their job and ability to find work over the last three months. This marks an increase of two percentage points compared with the last Job Confidence Index.

Individuals in London, the South West and the East Midlands felt most confident about employment, in contrast with the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, who have seen little change over the last quarter.

Among the reasons for increased confidence is the proactive approach people have taken to improving their jobs prospects. Nearly one quarter (24%) of unemployed people have applied for work experience compared with only 12% in the previous Index. In addition, 33% have attended training to progress in their careers, compared to 28% three months ago.

The Index suggests that economic recovery is continuing to boost the nation’s job confidence, with 61% of employed people still feeling that it would take them less than six months to find a new job if they were made redundant.

Two-fifths (41%) of the people questioned now expect that they would need less than three months to find a new job, compared to only 38% in the previous three months.

“It’s great to see that the nation’s job confidence has increased in the last three months, matching economic growth,” said skills minister Matthew Hancock. “It is also good to know that more and more people are seeking out work experience as we know that this is a good way to access and understand careers. There are already a record number of jobs in the UK and while many challenges remain, these figures show the plan is working.”

Joe Billington, director of the National Careers Service, said that jobseekers must continue to update their CVs and tailor them to each vacancy.

“We encourage employers to work with schools and colleges to ensure people receive high-quality careers advice which is relevant – with employers taking centre stage in helping people to get on in life,” he added.