Singapore - In this recession, unemployed executives will take at least four months to land their next job. And that is being optimistic.

An overwhelming 83% of 1,596 executive-respondents believe it would take four months or more to secure a new job this recession. In fact, the latest Korn/Ferry Institute's executive quiz says around half of those 83% polled believe the process might actually take seven months or longer.

This is a harsh reality check for executives as most of them have never experienced a lengthy job search previously. Before the recession, 44% of respondents took less than a month to find new employment. The longest time, according to 29% of respondents, taken to find a new job was more than three months.

Furthermore, out of nearly 1,000 unemployed executives polled, 36% have been out of work for four months or more now. But Gerard Chai, managing director of Korn/Ferry Singapore believes lengthy job searches are not confined to periods of economic downturn. "In the executive ranks, it takes time to find the right cultural and functional fit for each position and each candidate."

Chai says companies and candidates are usually advised to exercise patience in the search process. "The current economic environment only reinforces that need."

Besides continuing the job hunt, another alternative for these unemployed executives would be pursing further education while waiting for the economic boom. However, 57% of respondents polled remain unconvinced about professional development at this point in time. Only 23% are considering taking up MBAs.

Besides compensation, executives were also asked what they miss most about working, and 74% say they missed intellectual challenges at the workplace. For 21% of respondents however, it was colleagues whom they miss the most.