Newspaper job ads up by 57%

THE NUMBER of jobs advertised in the year to April, has increased by 57 per cent over the same period previously, a new survey has found. And it says the lion's share of this advertising has gone to The Irish Times which has been the leader in the market since 1990.

The survey, carried out by Executive Market, says The Irish Times carried 79 per cent of the jobs advertised in the newspapers last year.

The survey says both Independent titles the Irish Independent and the Sunday Independent have lost market share and the total number of jobs which appear in either newspaper is just 26 per cent.

"The startling result of this year's survey is the incredible surge in the numbers of jobs being advertised," said Mr Andy Cusack, managing director at Executive Market, who compiled the survey.

In the year to April 1st, 6,260 jobs were advertised compared to 3,987 during the previous 12 months, according to the survey which monitors recruitment advertising for managerial and professional staff.

The strongest performing sectors were the electronics, computer and software sectors. Combined demand in these was 107 per cent up on last year.

Software and electronics manufacturing now represent 18 per cent and 14 per cent respectively of all jobs advertised. Over the last four years, demand in these sectors has increased five fold, the survey notes.

Breaking down the sectors by profession, the survey reveals there has been an upturn in demand for computer professionals (computer scientists, information technology specialists, systems analysts).

Demand has almost doubled from the previous year with 36 jobs advertised last ye It now has the highest demand just larger than sales and market in which had been the highest bat gory in all previous surveys.

However, the study reports healthy growth in all other sectors. Process industries, including food and pharmaceuticals, all show a steady increase. To an extent, these industries are recession proof, Mr Cusack says.

Demand in "professional and scientific services" continued and is a reflection of continued expansion and increased investment. "This category is generally a good indicator of business confidence because of the relationship with investment levels," it says.

According to the study, there are "three times as many jobs advertisements in The Irish Times as in the Independent titles". It adds. "Back in 1990/91, The Irish Times had a major increase in market share from 50 per cent to 62 per cent, following the introduction of the original Working and Living supplement. For the next five years this share stayed in the 62 per cent to 67 per cent range before the further surge in the last year to 79 per cent."