Sequestration, the mandatory spending cuts in the U.S. federal budget made on March 1, so far had no effect at all on 73.9 percent of recruiters in the Top Echelon Network, according to a poll of its membership. Top Echelon is a network of search firms.

Two percent indicated that the sequester cuts are having a substantial effect on their recruiting business and 19.6 percent stated that the cuts are having a minimal effect.

“Even if the cuts are having an effect on recruiters, it isn’t significant, at least in the majority of the cases,” said Top Echelon Network President Mark Demaree. “It’s true that the effect of the sequester cuts might become more pronounced over time, but recruiters aren’t being hampered that much in the short term. I suspect part of the reason for that is the fact companies are still having trouble finding the candidates with the skills they need, and they’re willing to pay executive recruiters to find those candidates.”

Top Echelon conducted the poll between March 4 and March 10. Slightly more than 100 recruiters participated.