Swiss Job Seekers Confidence reaches 12-month High: Swiss Romande Leads the Way

According to the PageGroup Confidence Index (July – September 2016), confidence amongst job seekers has reached a 12 month high across one of the most important measures – the ability to find a job within 3 months. Over half (53%) of candidates expect to find a job within three months compared with 47% in Q2 2016 and 39% for Q3 2015. This is a quarterly increase of +12% and a year-on-year increase of +36%.

Candidates in the Swiss Romande are significantly more confident than their counterparts in the German-speaking region. 61% of candidates in the Swiss Romande expect to find a job within 3 months. This represents a quarterly increase (between Q2 and Q3 2016) of +11% and a year-on-year increase of +47%. 45% of job seekers in the German-speaking region expect to find a job within 3 months. This represents a quarterly increase of +13% and a year-on-year increase of +19%.

The study shows other areas of confidence, tempered with pragmatism:

• Over half (52%) expect improved career development over the 12 months.
• More than two thirds (69%) expect to have better opportunities for skills development over the same period.
• 60% of the Swiss job candidates are confident about the future Swiss economy.
• The majority (58%) do not expect to obtain salary increases over the next 12 months.

According to Xavier Chauville, Executive Director, Page Personnel, “This situation is creating an alignment between employers and job seekers.  In the past, negotiations often focussed on the salary. Now both parties are prepared to consider other factors in the total package including flexible working hours and training”.