Monster Employment Index Dips Slightly in June

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Monster Employment Index edged down three points in June, as U.S. online recruitment activity eased slightly following the typically elevated early-springtime hiring period. 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®.

Online job availability rose in four of the Index’s 20 industry categories and in six of the 23 occupational categories measured during the month of June. Despite the slight dip overall last month, the Index’s year-over-year growth rate held steady at -12 percent, suggesting no further erosion in U.S. online job demand. Index results for the past 13 months are as follows:

Jun. 08		May 08		Apr. 08		Mar. 08		Feb. 08		Jan. 08		Dec. 07		Nov. 07		Oct. 07		Sept. 07		Aug. 07		Jul. 07		Jun. 07
163		166		174		167		165		160		169		183		188		186		186		183		186

“From a seasonal view, the Monster Employment Index’s contraction in June was relatively mild and in keeping with historical trends showing a more moderate recruitment environment heading into the slower summer months,” said Jesse Harriott, Vice President of Research at Monster Worldwide. “While online hiring activity is clearly less robust than a year ago, an encouraging take-away and potential sign of stability is the fact that the Index’s year-over-year growth rate in June remained unchanged from May.”

Retail Trade Industry Registers Largest Monthly Increase in Online Job Demand in June

Online labor demand in the retail trade industry jumped sharply in June, rising for the fourth time in five months. The category’s mostly upward growth trend correlates with other reports showing recent gains and continued year-over-year growth in retail sales, and may point to growing optimism among retailers that consumers will spend at least a portion of their stimulus checks on purchases over the coming months. The transportation and warehousing; healthcare and social assistance; and management of companies industry categories also edged higher in June.

In contrast, several industry categories registered declines last month, including construction; professional, scientific and technical services; leisure and hospitality; and public administration.

On an annual basis, agriculture and public administration are the two industry categories showing greater online job availability compared to a year ago. Arts, entertainment and recreation; utilities; and finance and insurance have seen the steepest declines in online recruitment activity over the last 12 months.

Management; Personal Care and Service; and Military Specific Occupations See Strongest Gains in Online Job Opportunities in June

Among occupations, personal care and service registered the strongest monthly increase in online job availability in June, while opportunities for management positions also expanded, extending an upward growth trend initiated in April. The Index also showed greater demand for workers in military specific; farming, fishing and forestry; and community and social service professions. Meanwhile, online job availability for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations edged higher on the month as well, extending a four-month growth trend and reflecting continued high demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

In contrast, the office and administrative category registered the steepest decline in online recruitment activity among occupations in June, followed closely by architecture and engineering; and arts, design, entertainment, sports and media. The Index also showed sharply fewer online opportunities in protective service and food preparation and serving compared to the previous month.

On a year-over-year basis, six occupational categories are showing higher demand compared to a year ago. Farming, fishing, and forestry remains the Index’s top occupational category in terms of annual growth, followed by military specific; healthcare practitioners and technical; management; and healthcare support. At the opposite end of the spectrum, business and financial operations; computer and mathematical; and architecture and engineering have all seen significant declines in online job availability compared to a year ago.

Online Job Availability Declines in Eight of Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in June

During June, online job availability dipped in eight of the nine U.S. Census Bureau regions, with only the East South Central edging higher and the West South Central registering the sharpest drop. Year-over-year, all nine regions are now at lower levels of online job availability compared to a year ago, with the Pacific region showing the greatest annual decline.

At the state level, online job demand fell in 33 of the 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia between May and June.

Online Job Availability Declines in 24 of the Top 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets

During June, online recruitment activity eased in 24 of the 28 U.S. metro areas monitored by the Index. Demand held steady from the previous month in four Midwest markets (Cincinnati, Detroit, Kansas City and Pittsburgh), while Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. registered the steepest declines, mostly due to sharply fewer opportunities in the sciences, healthcare and construction.

On an annual basis, two of the 28 monitored markets are showing greater online job availability compared to a year ago. Pittsburgh remains the Index’s top growth market year-over-year, helped by strong demand in blue-collar segments such as construction and manufacturing. Houston’s growth rate, while positive, showed some deceleration amid fewer online job opportunities in management, healthcare, and a number of public-sector related occupational categories. Compared to June 2007, Washington, D.C. has seen the largest rate of decline in online recruitment activity among all 28 metro markets.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for June 2008, and access current individual data charts for each of the 28 metro markets tracked, please visit http://corporate.monster.com/Press_Room/MEI.html. Data for the month of July 2008 will be released on July 31, 2008.

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 on a monthly basis 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. (NASDAQ: MNST), 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 and the NASDAQ 100. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading products and services, visit www.monster.com.

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