Despite Strong Job Growth, Executives Uncertain About Summer Hiring

While the job market is off to its best start in four years, ExecuNetís Executive Employment Outlook index edged down in May as mixed economic data has many executives uncertain about whether or not the pace of growth will sustain itself through the summer months.



According to the survey of 114 executives, 36% describe conditions in the executive employment market during the past 30 days as ìimprovingî - down from 44% in April. The majority of executives (59%) are ìsomewhat confidentî the job market will get better in the six months ahead. Just one in five (20%) is ìconfidentî or ìvery confidentî the market will improve during this time - down from 33% one month ago, and 21% of executives are ìnot confident.î

ìThe growing uncertainty about the executive employment market is fueled by reports that the economyís recovery hit a soft-patch,î says Mark Anderson, President of ExecuNet. ìDemand for executive talent increased considerably during the first five months of the year, and we expect hiring this summer to be stronger than it has been in recent years.î

A separate survey of 102 executive recruiters conducted earlier this month revealed the search industry is expecting a 17% increase in the number of assignments received from corporate clients.

ExecuNet, a career management and recruiting network for executives and recruiters, is a recognized authority in executive hiring and recruiting trends. ExecuNet 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.

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