A recent survey of Executives by ExecuNet.com, an online career services centre for executives, reveals most executives expect the employment market to improve in the year ahead.
According to the survey, 73% of executives say the employment market will improve in 2002, 15% believe it will remain unchanged, and 12% expect it to get worse. This optimism appears in the wake of three consecutive quarters in which demand for executives has plummeted, dropping 20%, 27%, and 38% in the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2001 respectively, as measured by ExecuNetís Executive Talent Demand Index (ETDI).
ìAmong executives that are actively managing their careers, thereís a growing consensus that the light at the end of the tunnel represents opportunity and not an oncoming train,î says Mark Anderson, president of ExecuNet.com. ìIn order to take advantage of a stronger employment market in the near future, now is the time to be building a stronger network, identifying the industries that are best poised for growth, and improving your skill set.î
When asked to compare the current employment market with the market that existed during the last recession (1990-91), 64% of executives believe opportunities are more scarce today than in 1990-91, 19% say the two job markets are equal, and 17% report the employment market is stronger today.
Having managed their careers through the turmoil of the last recession, 76% of executives say they are better prepared financially and mentally for the current slump in the employment market, and 80% believe their professional network is stronger today than it was in 1990-91. An overwhelming majority (87%), also report that the growth of the Internet and e-mail has made career management a more efficient process than it was in 1990-91.
ìThe last recession was a tremendous wake-up call,î says Anderson. ìThe layoffs of the late eighties and early nineties forced many executives to recognize the importance and value of uninterrupted, proactive career management.î
Results are based on a nationwide survey of 238 executives.
ExecuNet is the leader in providing career management services to the $100,000 executive and senior-level manager. It is the ìfirst sourceî executive and corporate recruiters use to find top executive talent. Founded in 1988, ExecuNet posts more than 30,000 executive jobs annually; provides information on salaries and market trends; hosts networking meetings in major metropolitan cities across the U.S.; and publishes three newsletters covering the latest tips, tactics, strategies, and resources for executive job search, career management, and member networking.
www.execunet.com
Executives expect a better employment market in 2002
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