Monster Employment Index Rises For Fifth Consecutive Month, Year-Over-Year Growth Rate Now 21 %

MEI Infographic.JPG [1]

NEW YORK, Jul 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

The Monster Employment Index climbed 7 points in June and the annual growth rate, now at 21 percent (24-point increase), is at its highest since September 2006.

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).

During June, online job availability rose in 13 of the Index's 20 industry sectors and in 17 of the 23 occupational categories monitored. Index results for the past 13 months are as follows:

"Several industries and occupations are now displaying several months of positive growth trends in the Monster Employment Index and this would indicate some fundamental strengthening in these areas," said Jesse Harriott, senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at Monster Worldwide. "While substantial job creation has yet to occur to reduce the existing levels of unemployment and underemployment, job availability is improved from where it was a year ago."

Online Demand for Accommodation and Food Services Industry Registers Largest Increase in June; Retail Trade and Finance Edge Down

Online demand rose in 13 and remained flat in 5 of the 20 industries monitored by the Index. The accommodation and food services industry registered the largest growth in June, suggesting a belated start to seasonal recruitment after relatively tempered spring-time hiring. Management of companies and enterprises rose to its highest level since November of 2008. The return of recruitment activity in this industry coincides with a general rise in business and merger/acquisition activity. Manufacturing held steady while transportation and warehousing continued on the steady growth trend seen since February. Rising production and capacity utilization figures were reported by the Federal Reserve, suggesting workweek hours have increased. This, coupled with a rise in advertised opportunities in the transportation industry suggests expansion in production and commerce in the long-term.

In contrast, the consumer-driven retail trade sector and finance were the only two industries to edge down in June while agriculture; education; and utilities remained flat.

On an annual basis, mining; and transportation and warehousing led all industries. Construction also continued its upward trend closely followed by utilities.

Healthcare Support Occupations Register Largest Gains in June; Food Preparation and Serving; Management Rise; Farming Edges Down

Overall online demand for workers rose in 17 and remained flat in 5 of the 23 occupational categories in June with healthcare support registering the largest gain on a month-over-month basis. Food preparation and serving related occupations also saw a notable rise in demand as reflected by the rise in the accommodation and food services industry as a whole. Similarly, demand for management occupations also expanded as job availability at the executive and upper management levels continued to emerge. Online job demand for personal care and service; life, physical and social sciences; and architecture occupations also continued to edge up in June.

Meanwhile, farming was the only occupational category to decline in June, while protective services; sales and relation; production; and installation remained flat.

Business and financial operations led all occupational categories in terms of year-over-year growth with a 28 percent annual rise in opportunities closely followed by arts and design; and transportation and warehousing that also continued their uptrend in annual growth rate.

Online Job Availability Rises in All U.S. Census Bureau Regions in June

During June, demand rose in all U.S. Census Bureau regions with West North Central registered the largest monthly as well as 3-month gain. On an annual basis, Middle Atlantic exhibited the most improvement while Mountain registered the most sluggish expansion in demand which was nonetheless positive at 13 percent.

Among the 50 states and the District, 49 registered increased online job opportunities in June, with a number of states, such as the Dakotas and Wyoming, registering notable rises following somewhat sluggish recruitment trends in the earlier spring months. Among large states, New York continued to remain at the top by measure of annual growth in the Index. Annual growth was positive for every state in the Index, with Nevada, Maryland, and Mississippi exhibiting the slowest rates.

All 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets Monitored By The Index Register Increases in June

During June, online recruitment activity rose in all major metropolitan markets, with Detroit registering the largest monthly gain. By volume, the largest expansion in demand was for sales workers, but the increase in job opportunities for this occupational group in the latest month was somewhat tempered. The largest month-on-month increases were seen in legal and healthcare support occupations, with computer and mathematical (IT) also noted a substantial rise. While job availability has expanded from year-ago levels, demand for a majority of the occupational groups still remains below baseline levels in the Index.

In contrast, Phoenix registered the most tempered monthly increase among major metropolitan markets. Demand eased in the education, construction, and production sectors counterbalancing the increases in business and financial operations; and sales. Year-on-year, demand was higher for most occupational groups, with a life, physical, and social sciences being a notable exception, down 4 percent on an annual basis.

From a medium-term view, Philadelphia led all markets, rising 27 percent over the past 3 months. Year-over-year, all 28 markets reported positive growth. Portland continued to record the most substantial gain in online demand on an annual basis. The most moderate annual growth rates were seen in San Diego and Houston.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for June 2010, and to access current individual data charts for each of the 28 metro markets tracked, please visit http://about-monster.com/employment-index [2]. Data for the month of July 2010 will be released on August 5, 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 [3]), 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 [4]. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at http://about-monster.com/ [5].

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.

Media Inquiries:
Monster Worldwide
Matthew Henson, 978-823-2627
Matthew.Henson@monster.com [6]
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General Information:
Monster Worldwide
Deepika Murty, 978-461-8765
Deepika.Murty@monster.com [7]