Monster Employment Index Rises in February from January; Year-Over-Year Growth Continues to Remain Positive

New York, Mar 03, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- February 2011 Index Highlights:

• Annual growth rate eases to 4 percent, yet remains above year-earlier levels while Index rises 7 points (6 percent) month-over-month
• All 28 metro markets record positive annual growth in February
• Positive consumer-spending trends generate uptick in retail sector
• Public administration weighs down overall Index; sector's annual declines slide to 25 percent, reaching a new low in the Index

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.com(R).

"Sustained expansionary trends in private sector hiring coupled with growing consumer confidence have led to positive YoY growth in the Index" said Jesse Harriott, senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at Monster Worldwide. "Although Index growth has eased since the early summer peak of 2010 due in part to a decline in public sector activity, it has been positive year-over-year since February 2010 as employers continue to maintain a measured approach to growth."

Industry Year-over-year Trends: 10 of the 20 industries monitored by the Index showed positive annual growth trends.

• Utilities (up 17 percent) was amongst the top-moving sectors in February, possibly due to emergence of new jobs across infrastructure and back-office operations as employers implement new technologies
• Retail Trade (up 15 percent) rose on a monthly basis, displaying sector recruitment trends similar to those of the pre-recessionary period
• Professional, scientific, and technical services (up 9 percent) edged up in the Index to the same degree as historically seen at this time of year, suggesting little change in demand conditions after accounting for seasonal patterns
• Finance and insurance (down 8 percent) eased further indicating possible hiring stagnation for a variety of clerical and support roles, following a more active pace of job creation in 2010
• Public administration (down 25 percent) registered the steepest annual decline, with further reduction in government jobs at the federal and local levels

Occupation Year-over-year Trends:Annual online demand for workers rose in 15 of the 23 occupational categories in February.

• Business and financial operations (up 11 percent) and architecture and engineering (up 10 percent) recorded robust year-over-year growth
• Healthcare support (up 13 percent) gained the most momentum with annual growth accelerating from 10 percent in January

Geographic year-over-year Trends:All 28 metro markets recorded positive annual growth in February

• Detroit (up 46 percent) and Philadelphia (up 35 percent) continued to remain among top growth markets.
• San Diego (up 18 percent) recorded accelerated long term growth with increasing online job demand for production, construction and office/administrative support occupations
• Dallas (up 8 percent)eased notably with reduced demand forhealthcare practitioners and technical occupations, and transportation and material moving
• Among the 50 states and the District, 38 registered annual increases in online job demand.

International Trends:

• Monster Employment Index Europe annual growth rate accelerated to a positive 25 percent in January, as recruitment remained relatively active despite a seasonal slowdown on a monthly basis. Public sector opportunities reduced notably, aligning with trends of reductions in government spending in many European countries. Germany continued to be the strongest overall creator of job opportunities in Europe
• Monster Employment Index India annual growth rate accelerated to 27 percent in January 2011, with demand expanding notably for the travel and tourism and retail sectors.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for February 2011, and to access current individual data charts for each of the 28 metro markets tracked, please visit about-monster.com/employment-index. Data for the month of March 2011 will be released on April 7, 2011.

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 periodically 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. (NYSE: MWW), parent company of Monster(R), the premier global online employment solution for more than a decade, strives to bring people together to advance 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. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading products and services, visit www.monster.com. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at about-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.

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SOURCE: Monster Worldwide, Inc.

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Deepika Murty, 978-461-8765
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