The Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) 2009 Member Outlook reports that several market sectors are expected to strengthen, despite the state of the world economy. Search consultants anticipate executive job opportunities to increase in healthcare (32%), government (30%), pharmaceuticals/biotech (26%), and natural resources (26%). The AESC Outlook Survey was conducted from 5-30 December 2008.

While the overall outlook of search consultants for 2009 is negative, recruiting demand in several industries is expected to remain stable throughout the year, including non-profit (52%), education (48%), professional services (39%), media/entertainment (34%) and information technology (31%). AESC members surveyed expect the global executive job market to rebound in the second half of 2009.

The survey findings reveal that search consultants expect to see the greatest scarcity of talent in finance and accounting positions, as well as in executive management/board positions and engineering posts. Globally, China is expected to see the greatest need for executive talent in 2009 (66%), followed by India (43%), and Eastern Europe (30%).

AESC president Peter Felix says: “Despite the current state of the global economy, our members still see several bright spots for executive hiring in 2009. Other sectors will begin to step up their executive hiring as the current uncertainty dissipates and greater optimism begins to work its way into boardrooms.”