US ExecuNet’s Recruiter Confidence Index (RCI) rose in December as the outlook for the executive employment market and the executive search industry continued to brighten amid signs the economy is rebounding.

Executive recruiters now expect a 19% increase in management search assignments from corporate clients — the highest rise since early 2008 — and are adding staff in anticipation of the growth.

According to December’s survey of 153 executive recruiters, 54% are confident or very confident the executive employment market will improve during the next six months — up from 50% in November.

In addition to forecasting a double-digit increase in assignment growth in the year ahead, 21% of all search firms are planning to add professional staff in the first quarter of 2010.

“All of this bodes well for executive jobseekers and for those employed business leaders who may have deferred searching for new career opportunities in the last 12 to 18 months,” says Mark Anderson, president and chief economist of ExecuNet.

The RCI is based on a monthly survey of executive search firms conducted byExecuNet, a private network for business leaders. A reading above 50% indicates recruiters expect the number of search assignments in the next six months will increase.

Source: ExecuNet