Monster.com Unveils First-Ever Veterans Talent Index

Bi-annual report reveals the unique skills current veteran job seekers possess and the business value they can bring to employers

MAYNARD, Mass., Nov 09, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Thousand of employers across the country want to hire military veteran talent but they don't have visibility into where those veterans are and how to best apply their skills to their talent needs. At the same time, transitioning military service members and veteran job seekers are looking for visibility into where the jobs are so that they can apply and better position themselves for those jobs. To address this, Monster.com®, the worldwide leader in connecting people to job opportunities and the flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW), unveiled the first-ever Veterans Talent Index (VTI), an innovative new tool to help connect veterans and employers more effectively, using bi-annual data to provide a regular snapshot of the veteran hiring landscape. This new Index from Monster comes at a critical time when there's an influx of veterans entering the civilian workforce, providing a sizeable opportunity for employers.

"I meet with companies all the time who understand the business value of hiring veterans with unique skills and experience but until now, they haven't had ready access to the data and analytics needed to help them identify available veteran talent," said Monster Worldwide chairman, president and CEO, Sal Iannuzzi. "At its crux, the intent of the Veteran Talent Index is to close that gap between employers and veterans, getting veterans back to work, and putting their hard-earned military skills to use in a civilian workforce."

The Veterans Talent Index includes a comprehensive analysis of transitioning military service members, veterans and their employers. The three indices include: the Veteran Career Confidence Index; the Veteran Job Search Activity Index; and the Employer Veteran Hiring Index. Results will be issued on a bi-annual basis.

Veteran Career Confidence Index - Amonitor of veterans' confidence in finding a job combined with the level of skills they acquired during and after the military, the November 2011 index is a moderate 50 on a scale of 0-100.

  • Half (53%) of surveyed veterans feel prepared for the transition from military to civilian life
  • The majority (66%) of veterans surveyed, however, have low confidence in finding a job that suits their skillset
  • One-quarter of veteran respondents agree that skills including attention to detail, self-discipline and calm under stress are some of the most important skills gained during their military service

Veteran Job Search Activity Index - Amonitor of transitioning veterans' job search activity and the resources they use, the November 2011 index is a 74 on a scale of 0-100:

  • The vast majority (82%) of veterans surveyed will be looking for work within the year
  • More than three quarters of veterans will use their personal networks and job boards to seek employment opportunities
  • Keywords searched by veterans reveal an interest in management, HR and security positions; keywords searched by employers reveal an interest in candidates with military officer and management experience

Employer Veteran Hiring Index - A monitor of how employers, who have hired multiple veterans, feel that veteran employees perform as compared to non-veterans, the November 2011 Index is a 70 on a scale of 0-100.

  • 69% of employerrespondents felt that veteran workers perform their job functions 'much better' compared to non-veterans
  • 60% of employers surveyed are motivated to hire veterans based on their qualifications and prior work experience; nearly all (99%) who had hired a veteran previously would hire a veteran again
  • However, 77% of employers surveyed feel that veterans could do a better job of translating their military skills into corporate job skills, one of the biggest challenges veterans face today

"The data from our first Veterans Talent Index point to a group of job seekers that are faced with the dual challenge of significant transition coupled with a difficult jobs market," said Jesse Harriott, SVP and chief knowledge officer for Monster Worldwide. "One of the more interesting findings from our data is that veteran job seekers tend to underestimate themselves. Employers who responded to our survey felt strongly that veterans are indeed prepared to make the transition from military to civilian work and are able to translate their military skills into corporate ones. This clearly underscores the very issue that the Veterans Talent Index was developed to address - narrowing the gap between employer and veteran job seeker, by offering actionable intelligence into the evolving veterans hiring landscape on a regular basis."

In addition to the Veterans Talent Index, Monster and Military.com (a business unit of Monster) share an ongoing commitment to veteran hiring needs, and already work with thousands of companies that recognize veterans' unique talents and want to hire them. Through our online Military Skills Translator (developed by Military.com), for example, Monster helps veterans decode their military abilities into civilian equivalents and connect them to these employers.

For the full November 2011 Veterans Talent Index, please visit http://about-monster.com/content/veterans-talent-index

About Monster Worldwide

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW), parent company of Monster, 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. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading products and services, visit http://www.monster.com. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at http://about-monster.com.

A business unit of Monster, Military.com is the world's largest military community with more than 10 million members. Military.com connects the military community with all the benefits of service and with each other.

SOURCE: Monster Worldwide, Inc.

Monster.com
Jessica Sutera, 978-823-2812
jessica.sutera@monster.com