Work and Be Merry: Americans Prepare for the Holidays by Pursuing Seasonal Employment

MAYNARD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2004--

Monster Sees Spike in Online Retail Hiring Leading into Winter Months Seventy-Four Percent of Monster Users Have Worked in Retail during Their Career

Whether they are seeking extra cash for holiday gifts or a temporary job with full-time potential, Americans are on the hunt for seasonal employment. According to a recent Monster Meter poll, 46 percent of Monster users and 71 percent of MonsterTRAK users plan to seek seasonal work during the upcoming holidays. The Monster Meter, a product of Monster(R), the leading global online careers site and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST), is an ongoing series of online polls that gauge users' opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy and the workplace.

Employers are also gearing up for the holiday season. Supporting the National Retail Federation's forecast that winter holiday spending will increase 4.5 percent over last year, Monster has experienced a 29 percent year-over-year increase in retail job postings.

Where are the Retail jobs?

California accounts for 16 percent of retail jobs on Monster, followed by New York (6.5 percent), Illinois (5.8 percent), Florida (5.6 percent), and Texas (5.4 percent). Among the major metropolitan areas, New York City accounts for 6.4 percent of all retail opportunities, followed by Los Angeles (6.0 percent), Chicago (4.6 percent), San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose (4.1 percent), and Boston and Philadelphia (both at 3.9 percent).

What types of candidates are employers seeking?

Twenty-eight percent of job postings on Monster target retail workers with management experience. Seventeen percent are targeting retail workers at "mid-career," while 16 percent are available at the entry-level. Additionally, 30 percent of retail postings target Monster job seeker members with a high school degree - thus indicating opportunity for students looking for work on the weekends and during school vacation.

For expert advice on how to land a seasonal job, visit Monster's 2004 Retail Holiday Help Report at: http://featuredreports.monster.com/retail/help04/.

The Monster Meter asked, "Have you ever worked in retail?" (a)

A total of 13,842 votes were cast:
74% said: "Yes."
36% said: "No."

The Monster Meter asked, "Are you planning to look for a seasonal job over the holidays?" (b)

A total of 4,978 votes were cast:
54% said: "No."
46% said: "Yes."

The Monster Meter asked MonsterTRAK users, "Are you planning to look for a seasonal job over the holidays?" (c)

A total of 1,821 votes were cast:
71% said: "Yes."
29% said: "No."

(a) Results are based on 13,842 votes cast by Monster users from October 4th to October 11th, 2004 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. Anyone interested in voting in Monster's current online poll may do so by logging onto Monster at www.monster.com. Users may review the results of past polls by going to http://content.monster.com/polls/. These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate.

(b) Results are based on 4,978 votes cast by Monster users from September 27th to September 30th, 2004 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

(c) Results are based on 1,821 votes cast by Monster users from September 27th to October 18th, 2004 on the MonsterTRAK homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. Anyone interested in voting in MonsterTRAK's current online poll may do so by logging onto Monster at www.monstertrak.com. Users may review the results of past polls by going to http://content.monster.com/polls/. These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate.

About Monster

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Monster is the leading global online careers property. A division of Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ: MNST), 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 25 local language and content sites in 23 countries worldwide. Monster is the official online career management services sponsor of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. 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://recruiter.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.

CONTACT: Monster
Kevin Mullins, 978-461-8751
kevin.mullins@monster.com
or
Weber Shandwick Worldwide
Lauren McDonald, 617-520-7116
lmcdonald@webershandwick.com

SOURCE: Monster