“Despite turbulent economic conditions, it’s encouraging to see more than one quarter (26%) of the total respondents polled globally by Monster admit they are optimistic about their future career opportunities, suggesting the global workforce is looking forward to recovery,” said Norma Gaffin, director of content with Monster.com.
The key findings were:
- I am much more optimistic – 9% (2,678 votes)
- I am more optimistic – 17% (5,192 votes)
- I feel about the same – 26% (7,797 votes)
- I am less optimistic – 20% (6,041 votes)
- I am much less optimistic – 27% (8,154 votes)
The survey’s results reflect marked differences in perception on the national and regional level, with Indian and Scandinavian workers showing a much greater degree of optimism in their local job markets than their U.S. or EU Continental counterparts.
US workers, representing approximately 36 percent of the total respondents, were among the least optimistic, with 51 percent having negative attitudes on the job market when compared to six months ago. British workers tended to be the least optimistic, at 56 percent indicating diminished optimism, followed closely by Spain at 54 percent.
Indian workers, representing approximately seven percent of the total respondents, were the most optimistic, with over 51 percent indicating increased optimism. Among developed nations, Norwegian and Swedish workers were the most upbeat, with 29 and 15 percent, respectively, stating they are much more optimistic.
The split in attitudes positively correlates with national unemployment and underemployment figures as well as consumer confidence indexes over the same time period. Nations with nationalized health care, as well as workers from developing countries, were overall more optimistic than their counterparts from countries with employer-based health care or developed nations.
