Worldwide senior executive recruitment activity rose 8 percent year over year in the second quarter, according to data released today by the global Association of Executive Search Consultants.

Most industries experienced a steady upward trend in the second quarter of 2011 with significant quarterly and yearly growth, including the industrial, consumer, life sciences/healthcare and financial services sectors. Financial saw the most notable quarterly rise, up 19 percent, as it continued to regain its former leading market position. Technology was the only industry to fall in senior executive recruitment activity, both yearly (-3 percent) and from the first quarter (-6.7 percent).

“During the past quarter, executive search has once again shown considerable strength in most parts of the world, but especially in the emerging markets,” said AESC President Peter Felix. “… the overall picture has been most encouraging. It only remains to be seen whether the volatility surrounding the debt crisis will affect top management’s willingness to continue investing in the executive talent that it needs for the longer term.”