Executive post boost suggests economic rise

Research has shown that the number of executive positions advertised in Ireland increased in the last three months of 2003, reflecting a gradual increase in the strength of the economy.

Each quarter, Torc consulting compiles an index of executive jobs advertised in Irish newspapers which is then broken up into 17 industries.

The latest index shows that in the fourth quarter of last year 2,530 executive positions were advertised.

Although this is not back to the level of activity seen in the first quarter when 2682 jobs were advertised, it is up 4.6% on the 2419 recorded in the third quarter.

The main increases were in the legal sector (up 34%), financial services (up 31%) and senior management positions (up 29%).

Sectors recording a decrease in executive recruitment ads were project and public services down 30% and middle management down 24%.

Engineering and sales continue to rank as the top two categories in demand with 446 and 353 jobs advertised respectively.

This has been a consistent trend throughout 2003. These two sectors account for 31% of the total of executive jobs advertised.