Recruiter Confidence Edges Up In June

ExecuNetís Recruiter Confidence Index, which dropped slightly last month, improved in June. The recent survey of 130 executive recruiters conducted by ExecuNet, a leader in executive-level job and networking opportunities, reveals that search professionals are expecting a strong job market in the second half of the year.

A majority of recruiters (73%) report that business conditions in the executive search industry have improved in the past 30 days - up from 63% last month. During the first six months of the 2004, recruiters received a 16% increase in the number of search assignments from clients. Looking ahead, firms are expecting an additional 20% increase in assignments during the second half of the year.

The number of recruiters confident or very confident the executive employment market will improve in the next six months increased to 64% in June from 62% in May.

ìThe executive employment market has improved significantly in the first half of the year and shows no signs of slowing,î says Mark Anderson, President of ExecuNet. ìDespite this impressive growth, demand for executive talent is still far from the levels reached in 2000.î

The short-term outlook for the executive employment market is also improving, as 52% of recruiters are confident or very confident the market will get better in the three months ahead - up from 48% in May and 43% in April.

ìCompanies have begun to address their hiring needs with a greater sense of urgency,î says Anderson. ìThis has made recruiters more positive about job market in the upcoming months.î

To prepare for business growth in the second half of the year, 44% of search firms have plans to hire additional professional staff in the next three months - up from 36% in May. During the last three months, 20% of search firms have added professional staff.

For more information on a wide variety of trends in the executive employment market, a free copy of ExecuNetís 2004 Executive Job Market Intelligence Report is available at www.execunet.com/2004survey.cfm.

ExecuNet, a career management and recruiting resource center for executives and recruiters, is a recognized authority in executive career and recruiting trends. It helps members identify career opportunities and attain professional success by providing exclusive job postings, opportunities and tactics designed to expand personal and professional networks, and career advancement strategies.

Founded in 1988, ExecuNet also serves recruiters and corporations as a leading source of top-tier executive talent and proprietary research. For more information on ExecuNet visit