Monster Employment Index Rebounds Strongly in August, Demonstrating Increased U.S. Online Recruitment Activity; Increased Online Opportunities for Education, Training and Library Occupations Help Drive Index Higher

NEW YORK, Aug 31, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ:MNST):

-- Index Shows Greater Online Job Availability in Retail Trade, Stemming from the Back-to-School Shopping Season

-- Seven of Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions See Higher Online Job Demand

August 2006 Index Highlights:

-- Index rises eight points to 173 in August, rebounding strongly from seasonal slowdown in July

-- Online opportunities in education, training and library occupations surge as schools and colleges staff up in preparation for the fall semester

-- Aggressive back-to-school promotions spur demand for retail trade workers

-- Higher demand for white-collar occupations such as management, finance and IT suggests underlying strength in the U.S. economy despite a cooling housing market and higher fuel costs

-- Nationwide online demand remains strong, as 45 states and the District of Columbia show higher online job availability

Following a seasonal decline in July, the Monster Employment Index rose sharply in August, climbing eight points to a level of 173 and demonstrating a strong rebound in U.S. online recruitment activity. Seven out of nine regions saw stronger levels during the month and the Index now stands 31 points (22 percent) higher year-over-year. While the August Index results show a clear elevation in online recruitment activity following the mid-summer downturn, this is the lowest year-over-year increase since the Index's inception, suggesting the U.S. economy is assuming a more moderate rate of growth due, in part, to the cooling housing market and the continued elevation of fuel costs.

Seasonality related factors helped drive the Index higher, with increased demand for workers in retail trade and greater online job availability for workers in the education, training and library occupations. After dipping in July, demand for management workers rebounded strongly while online recruitment activity for workers in business and financial operations and IT-related occupations continued trending upwards, suggesting a solid hiring environment for white-collar professionals. Public administration registered the largest year-over-year growth rate since the Index's inception, indicating increased hiring among government entities.

The Index's overall results for the past 13 months are as follows:

Aug. Jul. Jun. May Apr. Mar. Feb. Jan. Dec. Nov. Oct. Sept. Aug. 06 06 06 06 06 06 06 06 05 05 05 05 05 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 173 165 171 167 163 164 157 151 145 149 143 140 142 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

"The August findings of the Monster Employment Index indicate a strong rebound following the hiring doldrums typically seen in the summer months and signify we are heading back to a business-as-usual environment. Increased demand for managers and executives - along with continuing strong demand for skilled IT workers - is particularly encouraging," said Steve Pogorzelski, Group President, International at Monster Worldwide. "In addition, retailers aggressively promoted back-to-school season and thus, sought to hire additional staff to adequately service consumers."

Index Shows Significantly Higher Demand for Workers in Transportation and Warehousing

During August, 11 of the 20 industry categories tracked by the Index showed increases of varying degrees, led by sharply higher demand for workers in transportation and warehousing, which rose 14 points after declining sharply in July. The Index showed a spike in online job demand for public administration and retail trade workers, as government organizations and retailers staff in preparation for renewed activity this fall. In contrast, demand for workers in the utilities industry fell, ending a four-month upward growth trend. Opportunities in the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry also fell, due in part in to a seasonal lull in vacation and holiday related travel.

Online Recruitment Activity Surges for Personal Care and Service Occupations Surges; Demand for Workers in Farming, Fishing and Forestry Dips

Eighteen of the 23 occupational categories tracked by the Index showed increases of varying degrees in August, with personal care and service occupations registering the sharpest rise, jumping 13 points and helping fuel the Index's upward climb. Demand for education, training and library occupations surged, as schools and colleges prepare for the fall semester. Also, opportunities in management as well as business and financial operations both increased indicating strong demand for white-collar workers. Online job availability for computer and mathematical occupations edged up four points, making it among the top performing occupations of the year, and demonstrating continued strong demand for IT professionals.

In contrast, online recruitment for farming, fishing and forestry occupations fell, dipping six points and registering the strongest rate of decline among occupations, as recruitment activity slowed following the elevated demand typically seen during the summer months.

Seven of Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions See Greater Online Recruitment Activity in August

Online recruitment activity increased in seven of nine U.S. Census Bureau regions in August, with only the West North Central region - which includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota - dipping one point and the Pacific region remaining unchanged. The Mountain region registered the most substantial surge, up 10 points, with New Mexico helping to drive this leading growth. Alaska remains the best performing state year-over-year, due, in part, to a surge in oil and military related postings. Overall, 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia saw online job availability climb by varying degrees in August.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for August 2006, including all charts and tables, please visit http://www.monsterworldwide.com/Press_Room/MEI.html. Data for the month of September 2006 will be released on October 5, 2006.

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. (NASDAQ:MNST), the parent company of the leading global online careers and recruitment resource, Monster(R). Based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from more than 1,500 Web sites, including a variety of corporate career sites, job boards and 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 ARC Research. The audit validates the accuracy of the online job recruitment activity measured within a margin of error of +/- 1.05%.

About Monster Worldwide

Founded in 1967, Monster Worldwide, Inc. is the parent company of Monster(R), the leading global online careers and recruitment resource. The company also owns TMP Worldwide, one of the largest Recruitment Advertising agencies in North America. Headquartered in New York with approximately 4,200 employees in 36 countries, Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ:MNST) is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the NASDAQ 100. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at www.monsterworldwide.com.

About Monster

Monster(R) is the leading global online careers and recruitment resource. A division of Monster Worldwide, Monster works for everyone by connecting quality job seekers at all levels with leading employers across all industries. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Maynard, Mass., Monster has 34 local language and content sites in 32 countries worldwide. More information is available at www.monster.com or by calling 1-800-MONSTER. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading employer products and services, please visit http://info.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

General Information: Monster Worldwide Kathryn Burns, 212-351-7063 kathryn.burns@monsterworldwide.com or Media Inquiries: Weber Shandwick Christian Harper, 212-445-8135 charper@webershandwick.com or Lauren McDonald, 617-520-7116 lmcdonald@webershandwick.com