March 1, 2010
Today, Execunet's Recruiter Confidence index, a leading benchmark in executive hiring trends since 2003, found that 53% of 183 surveyed recruiters are "confident" or "very confident" that the executive job market will continue a slow upward trajectory over the next six months. This number has been slowly rising over the past 18 months, from a low of less than 30% in November of 2008.
Mark Anderson, President and Chief Economist of Execunet, cautions that, as has happened in other recoveries, companies will be "testing the waters" in hiring before a steadier rise begins. The good news from Mark is that, "This economy, however challenged, continues to create far more executive jobs than it did a year ago."
If you've been one of the lucky execs who have been employed during this time, and holding tight before making a move, are you prepared to jump on opportunities as the tide turns? Will you be scrambling to find and update your career docs and pitch when the recruiter calls, or a contact gives you a dream lead? That's not working from a place of power!
Now is the time to polish (or discover) your executive brand, review your career materials (if you have a resume older than a year, it is too old - get those new accomplishments defined and ready for your best impression), focus on building or maintaining a robust on-line identity (far more critical than most execs realize), and beef up your network.
Those who are confidently "visible, viable, and valuable" will have the best opportunity to be hunted, and land faster (with better compensation). Don't wait until the economy heats up...do your homework now!
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