ExecuNet, a career management and recruiting resource center for executives and recruiters, today released its Executive Job Index (EJI) data through February 28, 2003. Calculated biweekly since 1997, the EJI measures hiring trends in the executive employment market. The Index increased 9.9% in February of 2003 vs. January 2003. After reaching a 52-week low during the week of December 29, 2002, the EJI is now 20% higher.
While uncertainty surrounding a conflict with Iraq appears to have the economy in limbo, the executive job market improved slightly in February, says Mark Anderson, President of ExecuNet. During the first two months of the year, businesses have started to gradually hire more executives.
Functions benefiting from increases in job opportunities during the month include General Management ( 13.8%), MIS/IT ( 13.7%), Sales and Marketing ( 12.7%), and Finance ( 12%). Smaller pockets of hiring increases were recorded for Human Resources executives ( 5.6%) and Operations Management professionals ( 4.1%). Demand for executive-level Consultants was down 13% during February.
The first quarter of the year is traditionally a time when businesses release some pent up demand and increase their hiring, says Anderson. Whether this momentum is sustained throughout the remainder of the year could depend on a swift and successful resolution of the Iraq conflict.
Complete Executive Job Index (EJI) findings can be found at
Executive Job Index climbs 9.9% in February
USA hiring trends in the executive employment market