Executives upbeat about job prospects, poll finds

MORE than seven in 10 Irish executives are upbeat about their career prospects for 2012, a survey carried out by Amárach Research for the recruitment group, Merc Partners, has found.

While the sluggish economy is causing anxiety in lower job ranks, 44% of executives say their prospects have improved, while 27% say their situation has stayed the same. Technology and professional services were most positive, with building, engineering and the public sector most pessimistic.

Most of the 400+ surveyed were open to switching roles — 59% preferring an internal move, with 72% happy to move companies.

Merc’s Kieran Duff said: “This suggests a resilience and optimism among senior Irish executives even in the middle of a tough recession. This survey takes the pulse of a key group in Irish business and society and participants showed an appetite for change and indeed risk.”

Some 56% of senior executives with multinationals said they have significant levels of autonomy and decision-making authority.

Some 34% believe a lack of skills in Ireland is slowing progress, while 26% expect that some business functions will be relocated abroad in the coming three years.

Meanwhile, IrishJobs.ie’s Jobs Index for Q4 2011 shows the number of jobs advertised online is down from the previous quarter, with pressure on services and construction persisting.

However, jobs in IT and technology industries continue to experience large increases in demand, notably in urban areas.

Stephen Kinsella, author of the report, said: “Just below 200,000 people have now been unemployed for more than a year. With so much apparent doom and gloom, where are the jobs in Ireland and where are they likely to come from? The short answer is technology. The Jobs Index figures for the stronger jobs categories reflect the IDA’s announcement of 13,000 jobs created in 148 investments in export oriented and high technology companies.”