Compliments of www.execunet.com

While data on the declining value of homes and soaring energy and food prices continues to fuel speculation that the US economy is on the brink of recession, executive search firms believe job growth at the top of the
employment market will remain resilient, according to ExecuNet’s Recruiter Confidence Index (RCI). The RCI, which increased steadily during the past four consecutive months, remained just off its highest levels in nearly a year in June.

(Blogger’s Note: In talking with recruiters and trendwatchers, many feel with boomers retiring from high-level roles – an anticipated couple million – it leaves room for exec placement growth…)

According to June’s survey of 138 executive recruiters, 64 percent are confident or very confident the executive employment market will improve during the next six months — down slightly from 66 percent in May, which arked a 10-month high for the Index. Nearly four-in-five recruiters (78 percent) are expecting at least a 10-percent increase in executive search assignment growth during the second half of 2008.

“After hitting a bottom in January, the outlook for the executive employment market has rebounded, as companies continue to actively recruit seasoned business leaders,” says Mark Anderson, president of ExecuNet. “If the pace of job growth at the top of the market maintains its current trajectory, C-suite executives with strong networks should see an increase in interview opportunities during the second half of this year.”

Introduced in May 2003, the Recruiter Confidence Index is based on a monthly survey of executive recruiters conducted by ExecuNet. Independent analysis of the RCI has confirmed it is a leading indicator of projected executive recruitment activity.