Growing concern over higher energy prices in the wake of hurricanes Rita and Katrina has not significantly changed recruitersí positive outlook for the executive employment market. Septemberís Recruiters Confidence Index (RCI), a monthly survey of executive recruiters conducted by ExecuNet, the executive job search and recruiting network, reveals the search industry is only slightly tempering its expectations for employment market growth in the months ahead.
According to the survey of 185 executive recruiters, 62% are confident or very confident the executive employment market will improve during the next six months - down from 71% in August. During the next six months, the executive search industry is expecting a 12.5% increase in the number of assignments received from corporate clients - down from 15.2% one month ago.
ìBased on early indications, it does not appear as if companies are scaling back their hiring plans in response to soaring energy prices,î says Mark Anderson, President of ExecuNet. ìThere is some short-term softening, but overall, recruiters remain bullish.î
While the majority of recruiters (56%) do not expect the effects of hurricanes Rita and Katrina will have a significant impact on the executive employment market not all agree - 30% believe the devastation in the Gulf Coast will have a negative impact on the market and 14% think the disasters will lead to more job growth as reconstruction efforts take hold.
To prepare for sustained growth in the executive employment market, 49% of all search firms have plans to hire additional professional staff during the next three months - this is nearly double the number of search firms that added professional staff during the past three months (26%).
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.
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 www.execunet.com
Recruiters Confidence Strong As Search Firms Weigh The Economic Impact of Recent Hurricanes
Executive Job Growth Expected to Continue, At A Slightly Slower Pace
