The Monster Meter Says: Administrative Professionals Are the Unsung Heroes of the Office

Monster.com's Latest Online Poll Signifies Shift of Attitudes Regarding Archaic Office Titles

MAYNARD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2001--If your wall or desktop calendar still reads "Secretaries Day" for April 25th, it's time to check the year on your calendar. Last year, the holiday name was changed to Administrative Professionals Day/Week. However, according to Monster.com users, the job title doesn't really matter, as it's time to start appreciating the administrative professionals for who they are: invaluable contributors to the success of every company. Many Monster.com users also said that the job title "secretary" has no place in the office anymore. The Monster Meter is an ongoing series of online polls that gauge users' opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy, and the workplace. Monster.com is the leading global online careers site and flagship brand of TMP Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ:TMPW).

Posted on Monster.com from April 13 - April 22, 2001, the most recent Monster Meter asked users: "What do you think of the job title 'secretary?'" A total of 21,835 votes were cast, revealing:

  • 54% (11,831 votes) said "The title is insignificant, but the role is priceless."

  • 26% (5,726 votes) said "I don't like it. It's demeaning and old-fashioned."

  • 19% (4,278 votes) said "It's appropriate. The title fits the role."

"These results are a reflection of the changes occurring in the workplace and people's perceptions of administrative professionals," said Therese Droste, the Admin/Support career advisor for Monster.com. "Administrative professionals, regardless of their title, provide valuable contributions to a company's bottom line. They are true professionals who work hard each and every day and play a crucial role in every company."

"The latest Monster Meter poll clearly shows the shift that's occurring in American attitudes towards administrative professionals," said Jeff Taylor, CEO of Monster.com. "No longer are they simply secretaries. Instead, they are being recognized for what they truly are - the fuel that keeps companies running smoothly and in the right direction."

In recognition of Administrative Professionals Day (April 25th) and Week (April 23-27), Monster.com has re-launched the Administrative/Support community (http://adminsupport.monster.com/), which contains career opportunities, in-depth articles, expert advice, resume and interview tips, and chats and message boards to assist administrative professionals manage their careers. In honor of the holiday, the community also features the top five gift ideas for managers to reward administrative professionals on their special day.

The Monster.com Top 5 Gifts for Administrative Professionals Day:

  1. A day off with pay. Make sure it is at their convenience, not yours.

  2. A gift certificate to a restaurant, hotel or play your administrative professional can attend with his or her spouse.

  3. A bonus or raise.

  4. Payment for career development seminars or training.

  5. A massage, preferably at a spa, preferably somewhere exotic.

The recommendations are based on Monster.com's informal survey of some members of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and the National Association of Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (NAESSA).

About Monster.com

Monster.com, headquartered in Maynard, Mass., is the leading global careers website, recording over 23.6 million unique visits during the month of February 2001 according to independent research conducted by I/PRO. Monster.com connects the most progressive companies with the most qualified career-minded individuals, offering innovative technology and superior services that give them more control over the recruiting process. The Monster.com global network consists of local content and language sites in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Luxembourg, India, and Italy. More information about Monster.com is available at www.monster.com or by calling 1-800-MONSTER.

About TMP Worldwide

Founded in 1967, TMP Worldwide Inc., with more than 9,500 employees in 32 countries, is the online recruitment leader, the world's largest Recruitment Advertising agency network, and one of the world's largest Executive Search and Executive Selection agencies. TMP Worldwide, headquartered in New York, is also the world's largest Yellow Pages advertising agency and a provider of direct marketing services. The company's clients include more than 90 of the Fortune 100 and more than 480 of the Fortune 500 companies. More information about TMP Worldwide is available at www.tmp.com.

Special Note: The above statements include forward-looking statements based on current management expectations. Factors that could cause future results to differ from these expectations include the following: risks associated with acquisitions, competition and seasonality. Additional factors are described in the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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CONTACT: The Weber Group Kelly Sullivan 617-520-7239 ksullivan@webergroup.com or Monster.com Kevin Mullins 978-461-8751 kevin.mullins@monster.com