Recruiters More Bullish On The Employment Market

Despite high oil prices and election uncertainty, ExecuNetís Recruiters Confidence Index surged in October. According to the recent survey of 106 executive recruiters conducted by ExecuNet, the executive job search and recruiting network, the executive employment market is poised for strong growth in the months ahead.

According to the survey, 67% of recruiters are confident or very confident the executive employment market will improve during the next six months - up significantly from 56% in September. During this period of time, the executive search industry is expecting a 20% increase in the number of assignments it receives from clients.

ìAfter strong economic growth in last quarter, the executive employment market appears to be heating up,î says Mark Anderson, President of ExecuNet. ìAs recruiters speak with their clients, itís becoming increasingly clear that companies are ready to hire.î

Recruitersí short-term outlook for the executive employment market also improved in October, as 50% are confident or very confident the market will get better in the three months ahead - up from 42% one month ago.

To prepare for stronger growth in the employment market, 43% of search firms have plans to hire additional professional staff in the next three months. During the last three months, 26% of all search firms added professional staff.

ìAs companies shift from cost control to growth mode, the war for talent is returning,î says Anderson. ìFor the first time in a few years weíre hearing from executives who are considering competing offers.î

The survey also found an increasing number of recruiters believe George W. Bush is the best candidate for the employment market. Sixty-two percent of executive recruiters think a victory for George W. Bush would have the most positive effect on the executive employment market - up from 54% on September 28, 2004. Twenty-six percent said a John Kerry presidency would be best for the job market, nearly unchanged from one month ago (27%), and 11% were unsure, down from 19% in September.

Despite gaining confidence in Bushís ability to improve the employment market, the number of recruiters expecting a victory for Kerry nearly doubled, climbing from 12% in September to 21% in October, as those who said they are unsure who will win dropped to 13% one week before the election from 22% in September. Sixty-five percent of executive recruiters expect Bush will win re-election, nearly unchanged from one month ago (66%).

ìGiven the positive outlook for the employment market, support for Bush in the recruiting industry has remained strong,î says Anderson.

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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