WIREDGOV

The second quarterly National Careers Service Job Confidence Index shows that the overall national job confidence score has increased in the last three months. The index, based on research looking into various issues affecting an individual’s confidence in finding work, analyses the state of the nation’s work and employment prospects.

The research found that improvements in national job confidence had been driven predominantly by unemployed people having a more positive outlook. 76 per cent of the country became more job confident, or maintained the same confidence levels in their ability to find work over the last three months; an increase of 2 per cent compared to the last index score.

However, the index also reveals that the improvement in overall job confidence is not country-wide, with enhanced confidence mostly felt in London, the South West and the East Midlands. In contrast, the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber have seen little change.

Further findings show that 24 per cent of unemployed people have applied for work experience, compared to only one eighth (12 per cent) in the previous index. A third (33 per cent) have attended training to progress in their careers, compared to only one quarter (28 per cent) in the last index. A recurring issue in the Confidence Index is that job seekers appear to be neglecting to update their CVs.  While people may be more confident about finding work, previous research from the National Careers Service shows that updating and tailoring a CV can make all the difference when applying for jobs. Almost 80 per cent of advisers said that the most common mistake people made was sending generic CVs to employers and 66 per cent of advisers said that this mistake was the one most likely to stop a candidate being put forward for an interview.

To tackle this problem, the National Careers Service has recently launched the CareersAdvice app to provide more people with quick access to important careers advice. The app features top tips on job search, CV writing and job interviews, as well as information on different job profiles, careers events and inspiring stories of people who have achieved their careers goals.

Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said: “It’s great to see that the nation’s job confidence has increased in the last three months, matching economic growth. 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.”

Further information on the Job Confidence Index can be found here.