New Government figures show the number of people looking for work in north Northamptonshire fell by 286 to 8,104 in October.
For Kettering, Corby, and East Northamptonshire it was the lowest number since January this year.
In Wellingborough it
is the lowest since February.
Northamptonshire Chamber said that in its latest survey, most firms reported they don't expect to make further redundancies in the coming months.
Businesses also appear to be taking people back on full-time hours after reducing employees' hours.
Northamptonshire Chamber policy manager Kirstine Storey said: "For the first time in a year, businesses are saying that things are settling down in terms of the job market, which is much better than last year when they were saying that they would have to reduce their workforce.
"We are also hearing on the ground that people who were on short-term contracts and were laid off at the start of the year are being taken back on.
"I think there's a new confidence that we are beginning to turn a bit of a corner but there's nervousness about what's happening in terms of national debt."
The Chamber's last quarterly survey showed that for the first time in a year, companies were predicting better sales and orders.
However, unemployment figures for north Northamptonshire are still significantly higher than last year.
In Corby, the number of jobseekers almost tripled in April compared to January last year.
Nationally, the number of people out of work for a year or longer rose to 618,000 in the three months up to September – the highest level in 12 years.
David Simms, district manager for Northamptonshire Jobcentre Plus, said: "There were over 2,000 notified vacancies across Northamptonshire in October.
"Current vacancies range from a systems operator at £40,000 per annum, an employer liaison officer at £20,000 to a parcel sorter at £5.75 per hour.
"We offer a range of support from individual jobsearch planning through to help such as internet access and other resources."
For help finding a new job visit
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or call the jobs hotline 0845 6060 234.
Jobless figures in our townsKETTERING
Number of people on Job Seeker's Allowance in October: 2,276
September figure: 2,314
4.1 jobseekers per vacancy in October
CORBY
Number of people on Job Seeker's Allowance in October: 1,992
September figure: 2,080
3.7 jobseekers per vacancy in October
WELLINGBOROUGH
Number of people on Job Seeker's Allowance in October: 2,183
September figure: 2,284
4.4 jobseekers per vacancy in October
EAST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Number of people on Job Seeker's Allowance in October: 1,653
September figure: 1,712
2.6 jobseekers per vacancy in October.