Almost two-thirds of employees have yet to receive a pay rise and say that while the jobs market has improved they do not feel better off, according to a new survey.

The study, carried out by online recruitment website IrishJobs, shows a third of Irish employees claim to be worse off than they were a year ago. Some 42 per cent of those surveyed said their financial situation remained unchanged.

Of the more than 1,000 people surveyed, 61 per cent of those currently employed said they believed the jobs market was getting better, as did 38 per cent of those in education or training. However, just 25 per cent of jobseekers were positive about employment opportunities.

The survey came as IrishJobs owner Saongroup said the total number of positions advertised had risen 14 per cent since October last year, with graduate jobs up 15 per cent. The number of jobs advertised was up 2 per cent on the second quarter.

The sectors recording the biggest annual rise in ads were medical professionals and healthcare, which was up 50 per cent compared with a year earlier; and science, pharmaceuticals and food, up 45 per cent.

Other sectors showing a jump in advertisements included transport; hotel and catering; production, manufacturing; secretarial and administration; and HR and recruitment.