Networking is the most likely route to a new job for senior staff

According to PCS Executive's poll of 220 clients, more than half (55%) secured their current position through networking, while only 18% found their role via advertisements or online.

A further 16% secured their role through recruitment companies while 11% chose to set up their own business.

PCS Executive marketing manager Caroline Dickin said: "Although networking has been the most successful route historically for executives and directors, we are now seeing more middle and senior managers adopt networking as the favoured route to market."

The news comes as HR magazine reported yesterday executive jobs in the UK are being filled twice as fast as the rest of Europe, with the average UK vacancy remaining open for little over a month, compared with six weeks last year.