Despite the continuing downturn, there are executive jobs out there - if you know where to look. In fact ExecuNet's 2010 Executive Job Market Intelligence Report, the first part of 2010 heralded the upturn of executive job creation.
According to the report, which is based on surveys of 3,636 participants including executives, search firm consultants and corporate HR professionals, one in five companies globally are creating new executive-level jobs while more than half - some 56 per cent - are looking for new hires to fill existing roles.
The report found that the industries expected to generate the most executive job growth in 2010 are healthcare, clean/green technology, high technology, pharmaceuticals / biotech and energy / utilities.
But however hard you look, you'll be hard-pressed to find most of these positions advertised. In fact, just one in 10 open, executive-level positions are publicly posted online and by far the best way to access these opportunities is working your network.
The importance of network explains another finding that while more than eight out of 10 of the executives surveyed claimed that they are committed to their organization and find their work engaging, a similar proportion would also would return calls from recruiters in hopes of building a relationship that could lead to a new position.
"A slow rebound means preparing for a 'new normal' where business, careers and connecting to opportunity has irreparably changed," says Mark Anderson, Chief Economist of ExecuNet.
"As we tell our members, an executive needs to land just one job and does not have to solve the problems plaguing the entire economy to succeed. Judging from the steadily increasing number of executives who have successfully landed well-paying, high-level and satisfying roles in the first quarter, it's clear the hurdles in the market can be overcome and careers continue to advance."
"Executives who are information-gatherers and connectors are the ones who are finding those unadvertised opportunities and understanding the needs of companies well in advance of job orders being created," adds Dave Opton, Founder and CEO of ExecuNet.
"Prove you're a profit center and problem-solver to a company and they'll likely pay attention to you."