Strong Growth in Job Seeker Confidence: +18%

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Zurich/Geneva, 30. January 2019 – Job seekers’ confidence in their ability to find a new job within three months grew by a record 18% between Q3 (July – September 2018) and Q4 (October – December 2018). According to the PageGroup Confidence Index of job seekers, 52% of candidates across Switzerland were confident about finding a job within 3 months. Confidence on this measure was significantly higher in the Suisse Romande (60%) than in the German speaking region of Switzerland (40%).

Candidates’ overall confidence about their professional future reached 58% in Q4. This is the highest level since the Index began in 2014.

Positive Work Environment and Work Life Balance Sought

Job seekers cited a positive work environment, work life balance and access to training as the top items that they sought in their next career move.

Next Career Move: Most Important Items Sought

Proportion of Candidates who
considered Item Important

(Q 4 2018)

  1. Positive relationship with superiors and colleagues

96%

  1. Work life balance

83%

  1. Access to training

82%

  1. Working in a socially responsible company

78%

  1. Flexible working hours

60%

 
According to Jérôme Bouin, Managing Director of PageGroup Switzerland, the prospects for job seekers have improved significantly between January 2018 and January 2019, with almost 20% year-on-year growth in advertised jobs. In addition, their expectations have changed with 75% of candidates willing to consider temporary or interim placements. "Given the continued strong growth in advertised jobs and a record low unemployment rate of 2.6%, attracting and retaining talent will be a challenge for employers in 2019. It is therefore important for employers to offer items which will attract top candidates and to consider temporary, interim and permanent employment options.”

PageGroup

PageGroup is a worldwide leader in specialist recruitment which is listed on the London Stock Exchange (Stock Symbol: PAGE). Founded in 1976, it has been active in Switzerland since 2001 and operates through three key brands: Page Executive (executive search), Michael Page (middle to senior management) and Page Personnel (graduate and skilled employees). PageGroup has 152 offices worldwide including its’ three Swiss offices in Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne.

PageGroup Confidence Index

The PageGroup Confidence Index polls job applicants to identify their outlook regarding the labor market. This index covers only those candidates who actively applied for a job through Michael Page and Page Personnel websites. Initiated in Switzerland in July 2014, the now global study is conducted online and investigates the motivations of job applicants for changing jobs, their confidence in finding a new job and their expectations about the length of their job search. The survey covers approximately 18,000 questionnaires per quarter worldwide, more than 650 in Switzerland. An interactive infographic and more details can be found in the main section of the Confidence Index.

Media Contacts:

C-Matrix Communications
Vicki Tanner
043 300 56 67
vicki.tanner@cmatrix.ch

PageGroup
Sophie Kubik, Marketing Manager
044 563 95 83
SophieKubik@michaelpage.ch

Michael Page is a brand of “Michael Page International (Switzerland) SA”.