Monster Employment Index Falls Slightly in May

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Monster Employment Index edged two points lower in May, as U.S. online recruitment activity eased slightly following a seasonal rise in April. Year-over-year, the Index was down 29 percent, a slight improvement from the previous month, indicating the rate of slowdown in the labor market may have stabilized.

“While demand has eased across most sectors of the economy, industries such as education, retail and public administration are providing some bright spots.”

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®.

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

May. 09		Apr. 09		Mar. 09		Feb. 09		Jan. 09		Dec. 08		Nov. 08		Oct. 08		Sept. 08		Aug. 08		Jul. 08		Jun. 08		May 08
118		120		118		122		118		131		143		150		160		159		157		163		166

“Although the Monster Employment Index experienced a mild decline in May, there are emerging signs of stability in the hiring market. The Index has remained within a four-point band since January and the annual pace of decline seems to have leveled off,” said Jesse Harriott, senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at Monster Worldwide. “While demand has eased across most sectors of the economy, industries such as education, retail and public administration are providing some bright spots.”

Educational Services Industry Registered Largest Monthly Increase in Online Job Demand in May

Educational services, retail trade and public administration were the only three industry categories to register an increase in online job availability in May. Demand for educational services reached its highest level this year possibly amid still-robust private-sector job creation and increased funding from the government for workforce retraining purposes.

The retail trade industry also registered a rise, though overall demand in this industry has remained relatively muted this year as employers are waiting for real signs of a turnaround in consumer confidence and spending before making significant staffing additions.

In contrast, the utilities industry saw the most dramatic decline on the month, while construction and accommodation and food services registered more modest decreases.

On an annual basis, public administration remains the only sector outside farming showing increased demand, helping offset sustained weakness in the private sector.

Online Job Opportunities for Education and Food Preparation Occupations Increased while Construction and Military Specific Fell in May

Education, training and library showed the highest rate of growth in online job availability among occupational categories in May, in line with the rise in the overall educational services industry. Elsewhere, both food preparation and serving and building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations experienced a three-point rise in the Index. The modest rise in demand for cleaning and maintenance staff aligns with historic seasonal hiring patterns observed in the late spring.

Meanwhile, military specific experienced a 13-point decline due to reduced demand from both private and public sector employers for this category. Blue-collar occupations like construction and production saw little change on a month-to-month basis.

Farming, fishing and forestry was the only occupational category showing a positive online job availability compared to a year ago.

Online Job Availability Fell in All Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in May

Online job demand fell in all nine U.S. Census Bureau regions in May. Mid-Atlantic and Pacific experienced the mildest declines among the regions.

All nine regions were also down year-over-year, with the East South Central and South Atlantic regions registering the most moderate annual contraction.

At the state level, Arizona, Delaware, Kansas, and Montana were the only states to show an increase in online job offerings in May.

Nineteen of the Top 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets Register Declines in May

Kansas City registered the largest monthly increase among the major metro markets for the second consecutive month largely due to an increase in online demand for business/finance, science, IT, and healthcare professionals. Several of California’s large metro markets -- San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento -- also saw continued incremental expansion in online opportunities. Los Angeles maintained April levels.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Cincinnati and Detroit experienced the most notable declines amid sharply reduced demand for blue-collar occupations.

Year-over-year, all 28 metro markets registered a negative annual growth rate with Pittsburgh exhibiting the most moderate rate of decline.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for May 2009, and to 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 June 2009 will be released on July 1, 2009.

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. (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://corporate.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.