ExecuNetís Fifteenth Annual Executive Job Market Intelligence Report Shows No Signs Of A Slowdown

Despite heightened concern surrounding the economy, a talent crunch in the executive employment market is poised to challenge companies in the year ahead, particularly in the High-Tech, Healthcare, and Business Services industries, according to ExecuNetís Executive Job Market Intelligence 2007 report released today.

Published annually for the past fifteen years, the Executive Job Market Intelligence report features complete analysis of key trends and developments in the executive employment market and executive search industry. This yearís report, based on simultaneous national surveys of 2,149 executives and 378 search firms and corporate recruiters, reveals that a tight employment market is generating more opportunities, bigger paychecks, and some unique challenges for the marketís most active participants.

ìThree consecutive years of double-digit growth in search assignments has created a greater sense of urgency among both executives and corporations, says Dave Opton, CEO and Founder of ExecuNet. ìRetention plans are clearly going to be put to the test in 2007, however, for many companies it may be a case of too little, too late.

According to the report, 67 percent of executives believe there is a shortage of qualified talent in the market ñ up from 53 percent just one year ago, and 67 percent of search firms and 62 percent of corporate recruiters agree. Despite this shared sentiment, just one in three executives (33 percent) believes their company is working harder today to retain top talent than one year ago, and only one in two (51 percent) Human Resource executives believes their companyís current leadership team will still be in place in one year.

ìThe erosion of loyalty between companies and executives has fundamentally changed the workplace, says Mark Anderson, President of ExecuNet. ìAt 3.4 years, the average executive tenure is shorter than a single Presidential term. In this type of an environment, both executives and companies pay a steep price for complacency.

2007 Executive Job Market Intelligence Highlights:

Employment Market Outlook
Search firms are forecasting a 27 percent increase in executive search assignments in 2007.

The industries expected to generate the highest growth in the number of executive-level jobs include High-tech, Healthcare, Business Services, Pharmaceuticals/Biotech, and Financial Services/Banking.

Compensation Trends
Amid increased competition for talent, more companies are turning to compensation incentives, including stock options, which are included in 47 percent of all new executive pay packages ñ up from 36 percent one year ago.
Looking to capitalize on the war for talent, employed executives are expecting a 17.5 percent increase in compensation when they land their next job.

Job Satisfaction
Nearly one in two executives (48 percent) is dissatisfied with their current job, and of those who are currently unhappy at work, 52 percent are preparing to leave within the next 12 months.

Limited advancement opportunities and lack of personal growth are the most common reasons why executives are not satisfied with their jobs.

Age Discrimination
Just 21 percent of 41 to 50-year old executives feel they have been subjected to age bias in a job search, compared to 63 percent of 51-60 year olds, and an overwhelming 89 percent of those over age 60.

Search firms believe age isnít a significant factor for candidates in a job search until they reach 55.
For more information on these trends and others including, the fastest growing executive occupations, most sought after skills, what executives are looking for in their next offer, the most effective job search and retention strategies, and where search firms and corporate recruiters find candidates, a free executive summary of Executive Job Market Intelligence 2007 can be downloaded at

www.execunet.com/executive-jobs-report.cfm

ìThe importance of market intelligence has never been greater for executives, search firms, and corporate recruiters, says Lauryn Franzoni, Vice President of ExecuNetís Executive Career Management and Networking Services. ìAt this level, understanding the trends shaping the market is critical to gaining a competitive advantage.

Partners in the fifteenth annual Executive Job Market Intelligence report include: Financial Executives International and Soundview Book Summary Service.

ExecuNet, the leading executive career, business and recruiting network, provides exclusive access to high-level business connections for professionals, confidential six-figure job listings, expert advice and proprietary research while helping corporate and search firm recruiters find qualified executive candidates. Founded in 1988, ExecuNet helped transform the executive recruiting industry by launching the first website designed to bring senior-level professionals and search firms together in a cooperative, confidential environment to understand how to meet their human capital needs.

Based in Norwalk, Connecticut, ExecuNet is a recognized authority in executive recruiting trends and proprietary employment market research. For more information, visit: