Five Industries Expected To Drive Executive Demand

Compiled ByJill Jusko Executive recruiters are expecting an 18% increase in search assignments in 2002 compared with 2001, a recent survey indicates. The top five industries expected to drive demand are biotechnology and pharmaceuticals; health care; financial services and banking; high tech; and manufacturing, reports ExecuNet.com, a career-management services provider to upper-level executives and managers. "In the first two months of 2002 . . . we have noticed an increase in the number of assignments recruiters are listing," says Dave Opton, ExecuNet.com founder and CEO. Survey results indicate recruiters anticipate a recovery will begin in the second (53%) and third (40%) quarters of 2002. Results are based on a nationwide survey of 385 recruiters.