Demand For Executives Continues To Climb

Second-quarter 1999 continued a strengthening trend in demand for executives, says Exec-U-Net's 2nd-quarter 1999 Executive Market Demand Index study of job listings. Demand increased 27% in 2nd-quarter 1999 compared with 2nd-quarter 1998, after a 16% 1st-quarter 1999 increase over same-quarter 1998. This follows 1998's quarterly demand growth rates of 41%, 20%, 17%, and 12% respectively. Demand for executives in sales/marketing topped the list, up 49%. General management placed second, up 37%; MIS/IT third at 31%. By industry, high tech led at 61%, up from its third-place position in 1st-quarter 1999 at 30%. Retail/distribution, the 1st-quarter leader at 40% growth, now placed second at 45%; media/creative services/publishing was third at 38%. Regionally, the West Coast led with 67% growth; Mid-Atlantic rebounded with 35%; and the Southwest reversed 1st-quarter negative growth with an 11% increase. The international sector continued to lag. Salary-wise, demand for $250K-plus executives continued to lead, with growth double the overall national average.