The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants has over 1,500 member search consultants recruiting for executive positions in the industrial sector among more than 300 member firms and 74 countries. AESC member executive headhunters specializing in industrial sectors are working on executive job placements for industries including: Manufacturing, Automotive, Chemical, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical, Industrial and Energy, Construction, and Research and Development.

According to AESC member Keith Syberg, Partner of retained executive search firm Smith and Syberg, "In both automotive and the industrial sectors, there are a few bright spots. The companies that planned well, stuck to their knitting, use good metrics, are not over-leveraged, and refused to take on business they couldn’t make money on, are prepared to weather the storm. They may be able to take advantage of opportunities to take over businesses that aren’t doing well."

David Preng, President and CEO of Preng & Associates, added: "Certain Energy related projects have obviously been put on hold. But some clients are looking at new venture groups and they want to bring in young talent. If you’re going to run an oil or refining company, you need someone who has grown up in the industry and the bias is to have a technical background, but there’s a shortage of qualified engineers."