There has been a marked rise for senior and board level candidates among employers, according to research from professional staffing specialist Barclay Meade.

The research shows in Q2 a quarter of employers were seeking senior managers and highly-skilled candidates compared to just 15% in Q1. A further 11% of employers are recruiting at board level, up 5%.

The survey also shows demand for entry level candidates and graduates also increased, with almost four in 10 (39%) employers recruiting at this level compared to just 5% in Q3 of 2010.

Nigel Lynn, managing director of Barclay Meade, says: “Recruitment continues to be a contentious issue for many organisations, and our report clearly shows a deceleration in the growth of the jobs market as hiring activity increases for the fourth consecutive quarter, albeit at a much slower rate.”