Oct 2, 2008: Monster Employment Index Edges Up Slightly in September

September 2008 Index Highlights:

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Monster Employment Index edged up one point in September, as online recruitment activity increased slightly for the second consecutive month. The Monster Employment Index is a monthly gauge of U.S. online job demand based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large representative selection of corporate career Web sites and job boards, including Monster(R).

During September, online job availability rose in 10 of the Index's 20 industry categories and in 12 of the 23 occupational categories measured. On a year-over-year basis, the Index remained flat from the previous two months, down 14 percent from a year ago. Index results for the past 13 months are as follows:

Sept. Aug. Jul. Jun. May Apr. Mar. Feb. Jan. Dec. Nov. Oct. Sept. 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 08 07 07 07 07 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 160 159 157 163 166 174 167 165 160 169 183 188 186 ------------------------------------------------------------------

"The modest rise in the Monster Employment Index in September reflects the typical pick up seen in overall recruitment activity during the outset of the fall hiring season," said Jesse Harriott, Vice President of Research at Monster Worldwide. "Although the Index is down 14 percent year-on-year, there are some bright spots, including increased online demand for occupations in public administration and healthcare."

Public Administration and Retail Trade Industries Register Largest Monthly Gains in Online Job Demand in September

Online job demand in the public administration industry registered the highest rate of increase in September, driven primarily by strong job posting growth among the nation's defense agencies and within local government. The retail trade industry also noted a sizable jump in recruiting activity, demonstrating resilience at the height of back-to-school and back-to-work hiring season, even as retailers brace for what is projected to be a challenging holiday sales period.

In contrast, online job recruitment activity in the educational services industry declined in September, suggesting that many schools and colleges have concluded their hiring efforts for the fall semester. Meanwhile, online demand also fell sharply in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry, while other industries such as construction; wholesale trade; real estate and rental and leasing; and professional, scientific and technical services registered more moderate dips on the month.

On a year-over-year basis, public administration remains the Index's fastest growing industry category, with the mining; and farming, foresting, fishing and hunting industries also showing solid gains amid continued high demand for workers in the oil and gas industry and farming sector.

Military Specific Occupations Register Largest Gain in Online Job Opportunities in September

The military specific occupational category showed the highest rate of growth in online job availability in September, suggesting increased hiring in the aerospace and defence industry. Community and social service occupations also saw heightened demand in September, as non-profit organizations and assorted government functions stepped up their fall recruitment efforts.

In contrast, farming, fishing and forestry registered the sharpest monthly decline among occupational groups for the second consecutive month, followed closely by education, training and library. Other occupations that registered lower demand in September include personal care and service; and healthcare support.

On a year-over-year basis, farming, fishing and forestry is still the Index's top rated occupational category in terms of growth, marking the fifth month in a row it has held this spot. Despite exhibiting fewer online opportunities in September, categories such as computers and mathematical (IT); and life, physical, and social science, showed slightly improved annual growth rates compared to August. The protective service category registered the largest decline from a year ago among occupational groups.

Online Job Availability Rises in Three of Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in September

Online job demand rose in three of the nine U.S. Census Bureau regions in September, with the Mid-Atlantic region registering the largest increase on the month, followed closely by the West South Central and the East North Central regions. West North Central was the only region to show a decline in online demand in September, while the remaining five regions were unchanged from August.

From an annual perspective, all nine regions remain down compared to a year ago, with the West South Central region showing the smallest contraction, reflecting sustained momentum in energy rich states such as Oklahoma and Texas.

At the state level, online job demand increased in 26 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia during September.

Online Job Demand Up in 17 of the Top 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets

During September, online recruitment activity increased in 17 of the 28 U.S. metro areas monitored by the Index. Cincinnati showed the largest gain over the month, driven mainly by heightened demand for IT, healthcare and office/administrative occupations. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Kansas City registered the steepest decline in demand over the month, mostly due to sharply fewer opportunities for legal, education and office/administrative occupations, a trend not seen in any of the other major Midwestern markets tracked.

On an annual basis, Pittsburgh remains the Index's top growth market year-over-year following a solid gain in September, while Orlando is the worst performing.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for September 2008, and access current individual data charts for each of the 28 metro markets tracked, please visit http://corporate.monster.com/Press_Room/MEI.html. Data for the month of October 2008 will be released on November 6, 2008.

About the Monster Employment Index

Launched in April 2004 with data collected since October 2003, the Monster Employment Index is a broad and comprehensive monthly analysis of U.S. online job demand conducted by Monster Worldwide, Inc. Based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of corporate career sites and job boards, including Monster, the Monster Employment Index presents a snapshot of employer online recruitment activity nationwide. All of the data and findings in the Monster Employment Index have been validated for their accuracy through independent, third party auditing conducted on a monthly basis by Research America, Inc. The audit validates the accuracy of the online job recruitment activity measured within a margin of error of +/- 1.05%.

About Monster Worldwide

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST), parent company of Monster(R), the premier global online employment solution for more than a decade, strives to inspire people to improve their lives. With a local presence in key markets in North America, Europe, and Asia, Monster works for everyone by connecting employers with quality job seekers at all levels and by providing personalized career advice to consumers globally. Through online media sites and services, Monster delivers vast, highly targeted audiences to advertisers. Monster Worldwide is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the NASDAQ 100. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading products and services, visit www.monster.com.

Special Note: Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding Monster Worldwide, Inc.'s strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors, including factors outside of Monster Worldwide's control, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward- looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which Monster Worldwide operates, risks associated with acquisitions, competition, seasonality and the other risks discussed in Monster Worldwide's Form 10-K and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this release by reference.

Source: Monster Worldwide, Inc.