Companies are hiring now and executive job creation is increasing:
ExecuNet's 3-month Recruiter Confidence Index increased to 49 percent in May (a 20 percent increase since February and is now at the highest level since June, 2008). This tells us that search firms are now getting searches in earnest and companies are consistently starting to hire. Jobs in our network are up over 70 percent from last summer.

The longer term prospects remain strong:
Our 6-month Recruiter Confidence Index reached 65 percent — the highest since July, 2007. This index is a recognized leading indicator for the economy and the executive employment market. With just 2 percent of executive recruiters in our research not confident the market is improving; this says the recovery in the jobs market is very broad-based.

Where's the growth in hiring:
Recruiters now tell us the five strongest industry areas are:

1. Healthcare
2. Clean/Green Technology
3. Energy
4. Manufacturing (up from #10 in February)
5. Pharmaceuticals/Medical Devices/Biotech

Manufacturing has jumped up the list of growth areas because of the strong export market and continuing expansion of world trade in the Pacific Rim and emerging areas.

Overall assessment:
Opportunities are expanding, and you should expect to see steady growth in jobs at the executive level in 2010. For job seekers this is good news for sure.

But for companies it may be a warning signal. With more demand and opportunity, the ability to keep your top talent will become a more pressing issue for CEOs and companies in the next 12 months.

Our mission at ExecuNet is to keep you apprised of what's happening and keep you aware of trends. Expect regular updates on what's happening and how it may affect you in future releases.

Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson is ExecuNet's president and chief economist. An Arjay Miller Scholar, Mark received his MBA from Stanford University and a BA in economics from Yale University. He joined ExecuNet in 1993, with extensive marketing and new product and business development experience, having served as president and founder of A&M Associates, an investment management firm. Mark's corporate leadership experience includes several senior marketing and financial positions with RCA Global Communications (a GE subsidiary) and American Can Company.

Add Your Comment

Lessons learned from and about six-figure leadership and executive career management

Rules of Engagement for Executive Insider

Leadership

Dave Opton’s Six-Figure LearningsPatty Azzarello's Business Leadership BlogJohn BaldoniRussell BishopWally Bock's Three Star Leadership BlogGeorge Bradt’s PrimeGenesisBuilding ChampionsCEO Blog – Time LeadershipCrucial SkillsScott Eblin’s Next Level BlogAdrian GostickLeadership FreakDavid LivermoreJohn MaxwellN2Growth BlogDaniel PinkTerry StarbuckerWorking Knowledge

Recruiting/HR/Search Firms

Allen Associates Executive Search BlogThe Asia Pacific HeadhunterAsk the HeadhunterBoston Search Group BlogThe Cynical GirlThe Executive Search Group BlogNorton Folgate: The Recruiting UnblogGESBlogGuerrilla Job HuntingAmitai Givertz’s Recruitomatic BlogHeidrick & Struggles BlogsHR BartenderRecruiting AnimalThe Recruiting Inferno

Career Management

Best Fit ForwardThe Career CatalystCareer ChaosCareerFolkCareer HubCareer Pro TalkCareerowners’ BlogCareer SolversCareer Thought LeadersCareer TrendCFO CoachDesign RésumésElite RésumésExecutive ActionsExecutive Career BrandExecutive Power BrandGet Hired Stay HiredJibberJobberJob Search NewsHire EffectInspired ChoiceKeppie CareersLessons Learned on the Road to KonaMy Executive Career CoachTalent CultureTim’s StrategyTotal Picture RadioPenelope TrunkQunitessential CareersUnbridled TalentSusan WhitcombWorkStrongThe Write SolutionYour Best Impression

Topics

robyn greenspan joseph daniel mccool execunet executive recruiters leadership executive job search executive employment networking job search the economy executive careers dave opton market trends business confidence innovation mark anderson executive job market search firms world business forum recruiter confidence index executive hiring world innovation forum most read search firm hiring index skills popular talent management culture hiring strategy