Encouraging signs for jobseekers in Exeter have come in the form of two new surveys.
The polls by the city's chamber of commerce and recruitment firm Manpower suggest an improving outlook for those hoping to find work or change jobs in the new year.
In the chamber's latest quarterly survey, 35 per cent of members who responded said they expect to increase staff numbers in the foreseeable future – the highest figure since March.
And 13 per cent of companies intend to take on five or more new recruits in the next year, while only five per cent expect to cut staff numbers. The improving picture ahead comes after employment growth eased in the last quarter, with just 26 per cent of firms reporting a rise in staff numbers – the lowest figure since June 2013.
Meanwhile, Manpower reports employers in the South West entering the new year buoyed by optimism, with Exeter's jobs market among the healthiest in the region.
The South West's Employment Outlook has leapt by 19 percentage points after a brief foray into negative territory last quarter, propelling it towards the top of the regional leaderboard.
Derek Phillips, vice president of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, said: "The Manpower survey reflects what's been happening in the city over the last three or four quarters, as seen in our own surveys."
Andrew Shellard, operations manager at Manpower UK, said: "We said last quarter that we were not too worried about the long term health of the jobs market in the South West and this quarter's return to positive territory has proved us right.
"Whereas last quarter we saw seasonality having a disproportionate impact on the region's Outlook, As we enter 2015 we are seeing employers take a longer term view as permanent roles are increasing across the region, particularly full time positions.
"Despite the numerous opportunities available, the candidates who are really in the driving seat when it comes to choosing roles and negotiating salaries are those who can offer in-demand skills. The region as a whole is experiencing a skills shortage, but this is particularly pertinent within the contact centre and telesales markets, as well as in manufacturing and administration. Looking at the region's biggest cities, the appetite for hiring is evident across the board. Bristol has the healthiest jobs market, closely followed by Exeter and then Plymouth.
"Employers in Bristol are expressing a need for candidates in the telesales and contact centre fields as well as for people with manufacturing experience. Bristol is a candidate's market at the minute, and skilled applicants are using their strong position to drive up their salary and other benefits.
"Sales roles in Exeter can be particularly lucrative, as many of the positions are senior roles and companies are prepared to pay for good and proven salespeople. We are seeing more applications from mature candidates, who are keen to use their experience to cash in on the generous packages attached to some of these senior roles."
"Plymouth is a city with a need for manufacturing workers, and candidates who possess soldering, wiring and looming experience can secure well-paid jobs at some of the area's top manufacturers. The NHS is also a big recruiter in and around Plymouth and many of the roles available are administrative positions where candidates need to demonstrate both skills and experience."
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is based on responses from 2,103 UK employers. It asks whether employers intend to hire additional workers or reduce the size of their workforce in the coming quarter. It is the most comprehensive, forward-looking employment survey of its kind and is used as a key economic statistic by both the Bank of England and the UK Government.
