Monster Employment Index Dips Slightly in November

November 2009 Index Highlights:

• Index falls by one point, erasing October’s minor uptick
• Year-on-year, the Index is now down 17 percent, the mildest rate of annual decline since September 2008
• Trade, transportation and utilities industries demonstrate seasonal growth in November, while opportunities in health care and social assistance retract
• Pacific continues to stabilize in the longer term, with the Pacific Northwest states showing gradually escalating opportunities

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2009-- The Monster Employment Index edged down one point in November, as online demand for workers remained muted across the United States. On a year-over-year basis, the Index is now down 17 percent, the mildest rate of annual decline since September last year.

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®.

During November, online job availability rose in ten of the Index’s 20 industry sectors and in nine of the 23 occupational categories monitored. Index results for the past 13 months are as follows:

“The trend in online job availability has been largely flat for most of the year and remained so in November,” said Jesse Harriott, senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at Monster Worldwide. “While job losses have continued to ease, businesses remain cautious about adding to their payrolls in light of sustained economic uncertainty.”

Utilities Registers Largest Monthly Gain in Online Job Demand in November; Healthcare and Social Assistance Declines

The utilities industry registered the highest rate of increase in online job demand in November amid a seasonal rise in demand for field workers. Largely seasonal rises were also noted in the transportation and warehousing; and wholesale trade industries. Professional, scientific, and technical services; and finance and insurance edged up marginally, extending a gradual recovery from their reduced demand levels in July.

In contrast, healthcare and social assistance registered a substantial decline to reach its lowest level on record in the Index. Retail trade and public administration also edged lower while manufacturing, real-estate and administrative services remained flat in November.

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting is the only industry category showing greater online job availability compared to a year ago.

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations See Greatest Increase in Online Job Availability in November; Healthcare Occupations Drop

Transportation and material moving registered the largest increase among occupations in November. The Index also showed greater demand for workers in occupations related to construction and extraction which reached seven-month high. The business and financial operations; and computer and mathematical occupation categories also edged higher in November.

Meanwhile, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations saw the largest reduction in opportunities, dropping 23 points in November. Healthcare support also recorded a mild decline, while community and social service occupations remained flat.

On an annual basis, farming, fishing and forestry; and education, training and library remain the only occupational categories to exhibit greater demand than a year ago.

Online Job Availability Remains Flat in Three of Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in November

During November, online job availability dipped in six U.S. Census Bureau regions, with the South Atlantic region registering the largest decline on the month mostly due to reduced demand in Florida, Maryland, and Virginia.

Meanwhile, a subtle revival in recruitment activity across the Pacific Northwest, as well as steady demand in California contributed to stability in the broader Pacific region.

Year-over-year, East South Central and South Atlantic experienced the most modest rate of decline.

Twelve of the Top 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets Register Increases in November

During November, online recruitment activity increased in twelve markets with Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Detroit registering the largest gains. Indianapolis jumped due to a sustained surge in demand for professionals in public sector-related occupations like community and social services; and education. Pittsburgh and Detroit also edged up mostly due to rising demand for blue-collar workers in transportation and material moving; and production occupations.

In contrast, Boston saw a steep decline in November amid reduced demand for life, physical, and social science occupations as well as computer and mathematical (IT) occupations.

On a year-over-year basis, Seattle showed the most modest rate of decline mostly, reflecting robust demand for workers in the sciences. Cincinnati and Philadelphia continue to show the steepest year-over-year drops.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for November 2009, and to access current individual data charts for each of the 28 metro markets tracked, please visit http://about-monster.com/employment-index. Data for the month of December 2009 will be released on January 7, 2010.

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®, 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 http://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.

Source: Monster Worldwide, Inc.

General Information:
Monster Worldwide
Deepika Murty, 978-461-8765
Deepika.Murty@monster.com
or
Media Inquiries:
Monster Worldwide
Steve Sylven, 978-461-8503
Steve.Sylven@monster.com