A UK survey showed 62 per cent of jobseekers in the West Midlands are confident of finding a job in the next 12 months.

Research by Totaljobs.com revealed that jobseeker confidence in the region increased in the past 12 months, with the number of unemployed confident in finding a job in the next year jumping from 51 per cent in 2011 to 62 per cent.

The percentage of unemployed people out of work for longer than 12 months has fallen by just over two percentage points, to 16 per cent and the corresponding rise in the number of jobseekers who believe they will find work within the year suggests jobseekers feel reinvigorated and hopefully, not over-confident.

The decrease in the number of long-term unemployed can be, in part, put down to the flexibility of jobseekers in the West Midlands: 70 per cent of those surveyed are prepared to take a job they are over-qualified for; 42 per cent said they would accept pay cuts; and 63 per cent are willing to take on part-time work.

Not only are jobseekers in the West Midlands becoming more flexible in their employment needs but they are also modernising their approach.

The study said 59 per cent search for jobs using their mobile phone, up 34 per cent on last year, and 83 per cent of tablet users use their device to apply for work, suggesting that more are jobseeking on the go.