EXECUTIVE JOBS IN EUROPE MARKET REPORT

LONDON, June 2011- Small and medium-sized companies plan to step up hiring over the summer, a survey has found, raising the chances that private firms will make up for jobs lost due to the government's spending cuts.

The seasonally adjusted employment outlook, based on a survey of some 2,000+ employers in the UK, rose to 3 percent for the third quarter, up from 2 percent for the three months from April to June and hitting its highest level since 2008.

The survey will be welcome news for the government after a string of weak economic data indicated that the economy was failing to pick up speed.

The government is banking heavily on private firms to provide enough jobs for the people made redundant as part of its severe spending cuts.

1st QTR 2011

An international survey of 400 recruitment consultancies in February 2011 across the UK showed permanent staff vacancies rising at their fastest level in 10 months, while demand for temporary staff saw its biggest rise since May 2007.

The permanent staff placements index rose to 62.7 last month from 58.2 in January. The index remains way above the crucial 50 level, which separates contraction from growth.

Germany's labor market improved sharply in February 2011 and unemployment declined by much more than expected, owing to the country's solid economic upswing.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said domestic demand would continue to bolster Germany's export dominance this year, so that "economic activity should continue to expand steadily, confirming the outlook for a broad-based recovery."

Ist Qtr 2008

UK executives are most likely to be looking to change jobs than executives elsewhere in Europe, according to an international survey. The survey found that 24 per cent of British executives were seriously considering moving to a new employer. This compared with 17 per cent of executives in Norway and Sweden, 14 per cent in France, 13 per cent in Spain, 12 per cent in Italy and just 10 per cent in Germany.

The reason is to be found in the strength of the UK executive employment market. A strong economy has added a lot of positions and executives feel confident when undertaking a job search. Figures released for executive hirings in October were the strongest for 2.5 years and this has pushed salary inflation upwards. Huge infrastructure projects such as Olympics 2012 and Heathrow T5 are fueling demand across many sectors.

Executives in France should however be feeling more confident about finding a new job. Unemployment hit a 5 year low on an improving economic outlook.

2005

At long last there has been a recovery in the European Executive job market. Overall demand for senior executives increased by around 6% across Euro zone. UK continues to move in an opposite direction and showed a slight weakening in 2005 albeit after the longest expansion in recent history. Spain, Ireland, Netherlands were resilient while France and Germany the giants of the executive market finally showed an upturn after many years of negative growth. Financial Services were strong with good bonuses seen at year end. Other strong sectors were IT, FMCG, Manufacturing, Construction, Oil&Gas and Business Services.

2002/2003 EXECUTIVE JOBS EUROPE REPORT

2003

Improving stock markets likely to lead to a gradual rebound in Financial services. UK economy remains above Euroland levels in terms of GDP and employment growth. Spanish economy performs relatively strongly with good demand across all sectors.

3rd Quarter 2002

Financial Services sector particularly in London is very weak. Year end bonuses will be rare with the press talking of "negative bonuses" i.e. no bonus and a pay cut. Some investment bankers used to past earnings of US$1Million+ have found job offers at base salary levels only at around US$200,000. Other sectors fairing better particularly for Business Development, International Sales & Marketing, IT and Financial positions.

UK, Spain and the Netherlands remain the bright spots. Germany and France are finding it difficult to generate new jobs as the economies slow. Ireland has softened due to the downturn in the hi-tech sector. Italy's export led economy is also holding back executive hiring as demand from international customers in Japan, USA and Germany for Italian goods slows.

The table below highlights a few of the senior positions in Europe uncovered by International-Job-Search in the quarter;