Where the jobs are:

A recent survey conducted by ExecuNet, the executive job search and recruiting network, reveals where search firms are anticipating the greatest job growth in the year ahead.

According to the survey of 141 executive recruiters, the search industry is expecting a 23% increase in the number of assignments it receives from clients in 2005. During this period of time, the following industries are expected to generate the greatest growth in executive-level searches:

Current Ranking (2004 Ranking)
1. Healthcare (#1)
2. Medical/Pharmaceuticals/Biotech (#2)
3. Financial Services (#3)
4. Business Services (#7)
5. High-Tech (#6)

Dropping out of the list of the five fastest growing industries for executive job growth were the Consumer Products and Manufacturing industries, which ranked fourth and fifth respectively in 2004.

ìLast year marked the first year since 2000 that the executive search industry reported an increase in the number of assignments it received from corporate clients,î says Mark Anderson, President of ExecuNet. ìThereís no question the employment market is improving, and the emergence of Business Services and High-Tech on the list of fastest growing industries suggests itís also broadening.î

The functions expected to be in greatest demand in 2005 include:

Current Ranking (2004 Ranking)
1. Sales (#1)
2. Business Development (#4)
3. Marketing (#3)
4. General Management (#2)
5. Finance (#6)

Dropping out of the list of the top five functions for job growth was Operations Management, which was ranked fifth in 2004.

ìWith Sales, Business Development, and Marketing executives in the greatest demand, itís clear that companies are aggressively looking to improve corporate profits,î says Anderson. ìAs the employment marketís recovery evolves, we expect growth to expand across all occupations.î

To help all executives explore employment opportunities in the fastest growing sectors, ExecuNet offers the following suggestions for successfully switching industries:

Repackage Your Skills
Research the needs of targeted companies in your key industries and think carefully about how the skills and experience youíve already acquired can be translated into results at these organizations. To make it beyond the first round of interviews, youíll have to successfully reposition your skills and prove youíre prepared to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

Keep Your Network Informed And Involved
Not only is networking the most productive strategy for tapping into the ìhidden job marketî and revealing unadvertised opportunities - itís a tried and true means of getting your foot in the door. At a time when nearly one of every five executives doesnít survive the first year in a new job, a personal referral or reference from a member of your network will improve the credibility of your candidacy and give companies the confidence to hire a candidate from another industry.

Donít Limit Yourself. Smaller companies are more likely to value the versatility of an executive from an outside industry and place less emphasis on requirements such as previous title and industry experience.

For the latest information on executive career management, log on to www.execunet.com.

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.