Search for Executive Jobs Is Taking Longer

In a tightening job market, high-level employees also are getting negligible raises when they finally find work, according to a survey by Drake Beam Morin Inc. of 1,200 executives who have changed jobs this year.

“It’s cherry-picking time for employers,” said Jim Cabrera, president of the New York-based outplacement firm. On average, it took 15% longer than last year to find a new job after a layoff or firing, with the typical search taking 6.8 months. Women executives in the survey found jobs slightly faster than men, but lost most of their advantage of past years. Executives over 55 had the hardest search, requiring an average of 8.9 months to land a new post.