Increasing optimism in the Irish economy is leading to greater promotion opportunities and pay rise expectations, with the IT industry faring particularly well, the ninth annual Global Sentiment Survey from Ireland-based Berkley Recruitment suggests.
Eighty-two per cent of survey respondents reported that their company was performing the same or better than last year.
In the IT industry, 83pc of respondents reported business to be better or the same as last year. Furthermore, 72pc of companies are now hiring.
Broken down further, the survey results show strength in the engineering sector, in particular, with 80pc of those surveyed suggesting business is doing well/the same.
Pay rise expectations in Ireland are also growing, with 90pc of participants expecting an increase, up 30pc on the previous survey and on par with global results.
The potential for career development is increasingly positive, according to the survey, with 32pc of respondents citing an improvement in their promotion chances. That percentage reflects an increase of 12pc on the last survey.
Fergal Brosnan, managing director at Berkley Group, said global reports suggest the economy is getting back on track, and Ireland has been one of the countries that has noted a more positive sentiment over recent months.
“Employment and business opportunities in the country are certainly on the rise. While there is still a way to go before we note similar levels to pre-recession, overall positivity is certainly returning to the Irish market, something we expect to continue across the globe as we move into 2014,” Brosnan added.
This positivity is also reflected in the rising employment opportunities within Ireland. IBEC recently reported that the economy has added 20,000 jobs this year, a sentiment reflected in the Berkley Survey.
The majority of respondents (71pc) described the jobs market as steady or strong, with 63pc of those surveyed recording job creation within their organisation.
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