According to the latest PageGroup Confidence Index for the period of April - June 2016, Sweden is the European country where people looking for work are most confident about their professional future (65%).

This was followed by candidates in Germany with 63%. In Switzerland, the confidence of candidates is 51%, a higher share than the European average (49%), and exceeds that of neighbouring countries such as Austria (48%), France (41%) and Italy (34%).

The study also shows that half of the candidates interviewed, or 50%, plan to expand their responsibilities in the coming months.

Moreover, two-thirds of respondents (65%) expect deterioration in their balance work / life. Those under 30 are the most pessimistic throughout continental Europe: only 38% expect an improvement, against 48% in Germany.

The majority of applicants (58%) does not expect to receive a salary increase over the next twelve months, against 55% in the same period in 2015. Furthermore, the acquisition of new skills is a major source of motivation for candidates seeking employment in Switzerland (41%), a figure higher than the European average (37%).

"The young candidates know their value in the labor market, which is reflected in their level of confidence,” Xavier Chauville, Executive Director for Page Personnel, said. “They are confident of finding a job and a salary at least equivalent to another employer. However, expectations, particularly with regard to balance work / life, training and remuneration are reasonable, insofar as they are fully aware that they will have to work harder and longer."