Robert Walters' third-quarter 2009 market update notes that businesses, after shedding headcount during the downturn, "are now taking an optimistic view of the market and becoming heavily involved in business-focused projects, strategically concentrating on those that are essential for growth and that will have a greater return on investment to the business within eighteen months.

"As a result, there has been increased requirement for resources in the project space, ie project managers and business analysts in the contract market, although requirements in the permanent market are still rare."

Bell says that at management level, things are still tight.

Managers "would be the most affected in the last 12 months -- much of that cost has been taken out of the business.

"Some layers of management have been disestablished, and companies haven't replaced at that level, or have unified teams under one manager and not replaced the headcount.