EconoIndicators

Monster Employment Index At a Glance

• Index: 118
• Monthly Change: Down 13
• Year-to-year Change: Down 42 Points
• Regions Growing: 0
• Regions Unchanged: 0
• Regions Declining: 9

Technorati Tags: monster, employment, index

Monster Employment Index Declines in January
January 2009 Index Highlights:
• Index dips 13 points as online recruitment activity slows for the fourth
consecutive month
• Year-over-year, the Index was down 26%, a more negative pace than that seen
during the previous three months, suggesting further deterioration in labor
market conditions to start 2009
• Online demand in the Public Administration rebounds after two months of
decline
• Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation remains the weakest trending industry
sector, indicating a further softening in consumer leisure spending activity
• Farming, Fishing and Forestry is the only occupational category to show a
monthly, as well as a year-over-year increase in online recruitment activity
• The slowdown in recruitment activity over the year has affected all regions of
the country by similar degrees; over the past quarter, the Mountain region has
shown particularly mild declines.
• All 28 major metro markets register declines in January, with Seattle recording
the mildest annual decrease
Summary Overview
The Monster Employment Index declined 13 points in January, as a majority of
industries, occupations, and markets noted a contraction in online job availability amid
sustained uncertain economic conditions. Year-over-year, the Index is now down 26
percent, suggesting further deterioration in the labor market at the onset of the new
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®.
During January, online job availability rose in two of the Index’s 20 industry categories
and one of the 23 occupational categories measured. Index results for the past 13
months are as follows:
JAN 09 DEC 08 NOV 08 OCT 08 SEP 08 AUG 08 JUL 08 JUN 08 MAY 08 APR 08 MAR 08 FEB 08 JAN 08
118 131 143 150 160 159 157 163 166 174 167 165 160
www.monster.com December 2008
2 of 11
“The fact that employers have chosen to begin recruiting in 2009 on a cautious note is
not surprising given the uncertain nature of the global economy,” said Jesse Harriott,
senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at Monster Worldwide. “However,
there are a few bright spots, including recruiting activity in Public Administration as well
as in the Agricultural sector. Furthermore, online recruitment activity still remains
higher than levels seen during 2003 after the last recession.”
Public Administration and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Industries Show Increased Online Job Demand in January
Public Administration and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting were the only two
industry categories to register an increase in online job availability in January. The
increase in the Public Administration sector, which rebounded after two consecutive
months of decline, indicated that the government has stepped up recruiting efforts.
There, however, seems to be a fundamental shift in the types of jobs on offer, with
more temporary and contract jobs on the market now than in the past.
In contrast, the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry plunged in January as
scaled-back consumer spending exacted an increasingly heavy toll on the hiring of
leisure-related workers. Meanwhile, the Finance and Insurance industry again posted a
large decline in January as the current economic situation continued to weigh on the
banking industry. Administrative/ Support also registered a record monthly decline.
Construction had a mild decline relative to the Index as a whole and, while the decline
was small, it still indicated reduced job availability in an industry that has now
experienced 18 consecutive months of month-over-month payroll shrinkage. Wholesale
Trade and Transportation and Warehousing continued their downward trend reflecting
that, with the lack of growth in wholesale orders and general consumption, both
industries have stepped-down their capacity utilization.
On a year-over-year basis, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting was the Index’s
fastest growing industry category, followed by Public Administration – the only other
sector demonstrating an increase in demand over the year.
Online Job Opportunities for Farming, Fishing and Forestry Occupations rise
in January
Farming, Fishing and Forestry was the only occupational category to register an increase
in online job availability in January, as demand for all other occupational categories
continued to be impacted by the economic recession.
Meanwhile, Healthcare Support occupations saw a small monthly decline, extending a
four-month stretch of gradually tapered online demand. However, the healthcare
industry’s relative resilience despite the recession was reflected in the way Healthcare
Practitioners and Technical occupations nearly matched its year-ago level. Occupations
in both Office and Administrative Support and Protective Service logged substantial
declines in January. In fact, the Protective Service category, which seemed less impacted
by economic conditions earlier in 2008, is now lower than any other time in the Index.
December 2008
www.monster.com
3 of 11
On a year-over-year basis, Farming, Fishing and Forestry led all categories in terms of
annual growth followed by Military Specific, mirroring the labor market trends in the
Public Sector as a whole.
Online Job Demand Dips in All Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in January
Online job availability fell in all nine U.S. Census Bureau regions in January. The East
South Central region fell for the fourth consecutive month but to a lesser degree than
the national average. New England registered the steepest rate of decline over the past
three months, influenced heavily by the slowdown in demand in Massachusetts during
the last quarter of 2008. The Pacific region registered the steepest annual decline. By
contrast, Mountain had the most moderate decline in January and over the past three
months, due in large part to Nevada’s online recruitment picking up during Q4 2008.
At the state level, Nevada and Alaska were the only two states that registered an
increase in online job availability during January. West Virginia reported positive growth
year-over-year.
Adjusting the number of online help-wanted ads for total working population, the
Monster Employment Index found the following states to be the top ten in terms of per-
capita online job availability during the month of January:
Rank State
1 Alaska
2 Nevada
3 Maryland
4 Vermont
5 Montana
6 Connecticut
7 Massachusetts
8 Delaware
9 Wyoming
10 Rhode Island
December 2008
www.monster.com
4 of 11
All of the Top 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets register declines in January
There were fewer online job opportunities in all of the top 28 metro markets
monitored by the Index. Sacramento and Denver registered the most moderate rate of
decline. In contrast, Portland dropped the most among metro markets in the Index over
the past three months reflecting slumping demand for construction, production, IT and
creative occupations.
Year-over-year, Philadelphia registered the steepest decline and Seattle notched the
smallest annual decline buoyed by solid hiring in healthcare, the sciences, IT, and
creative occupations.
Top Industries Looking for Employees in January
Industries showing the greatest increase in online job availability in January included:
JAN 09 DEC 08 NOV 08 OCT 08 SEP 08 JAN 08
INDUSTRY
Public Administration 207 178 200 213 210 185
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and
Hunting 205 181 170 168 178 162
Most Wanted Occupational Experience in January
Only one occupational category registered an increase in online job demand in January:
JAN 09 DEC 08 NOV 08 OCT 08 SEP 08 JAN 08
OCCUPATIONS
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 169 161 156 153 164 140
Online Job Demand Declines across All Major Regions in January
Online job opportunities declined by various degrees in all of the 9 U.S. Census Bureau
Divisions in January. The regions are presented here in order of smallest month-to-
month rate of decrease:
JAN 09 DEC 08 NOV 08 OCT 08 SEP 08 JAN 08
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU REGIONS
Mountain 125 133 146 152 162 169
South Atlantic 113 123 134 139 145 151
East South Central 118 128 141 147 153 146
East North Central 104 115 131 139 148 149
Pacific 101 112 125 133 142 155
December 2008
www.monster.com
5 of 11
New England 108 121 137 145 154 164
Middle Atlantic 106 119 133 140 150 153
West North Central 119 134 149 156 167 168
West South Central 191 214 235 242 258 236
December 2008
www.monster.com
6 of 11
Monster Employment Index, 2007-2008
180
170
160
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan
JAN 08 FEB 08 MAR 08 APR 08 MAY 08 JUN 08 JUL 08 AUG 08 SEP 08 OCT 08 NOV 08 DEC 08 JAN 09
160 165 167 174 166 163 157 159 160 150 143 131 118
December 2008
www.monster.com
7 of 11
By Region
2009 2008
Jan Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan
New England 108 121 137 145 154 154 150 157 159 173 167 172 164
Mid-Atlantic 106 119 133 140 150 148 146 151 155 169 160 159 153
East North Central 104 115 131 139 148 147 145 150 152 163 159 157 149
West North Central 119 134 149 156 167 168 162 175 176 186 178 177 168
South Atlantic 113 123 134 139 145 145 144 149 151 163 156 155 151
East South Central 118 128 141 147 153 153 154 157 156 166 154 152 146
West South Central 191 214 235 242 258 257 253 259 264 262 250 245 236
Mountain 125 133 146 152 162 162 161 167 170 179 173 170 169
Pacific 101 112 125 133 142 142 142 147 151 161 158 156 155
December 2008
www.monster.com
8 of 11
By Industry
2009 2008
Jan Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan
Agriculture, Forestry,
205 181 170 168 178 192 208 202 207 200 200 196 162
Fishing and Hunting
Mining, Quarrying and Oil
145 160 171 186 181 178 171 167 171 167 168 172 160
and Gas Extraction
94 131 120 134 134 126 109 121 135 126 127 124 124
Utilities
170 177 186 197 202 203 204 213 217 216 211 205 195
Construction
85 93 102 109 112 112 113 116 117 120 117 111 104
Manufacturing
123 128 141 148 151 155 150 157 161 167 164 165 154
Wholesale Trade
121 135 157 161 172 162 161 171 162 167 154 150 148
Retail Trade
Transportation and
123 146 163 173 178 178 176 181 178 180 174 168 163
Warehousing
77 89 101 109 115 113 117 122 124 134 124 119 115
Information
63 74 91 101 108 107 99 103 110 123 117 120 112
Finance and Insurance
Real Estate and Rental and
47 59 67 76 85 86 84 105 113 115 108 107 99
Leasing
Professional, Scientific, and
60 72 87 99 105 105 118 126 136 138 133 130 123
Technical Services
Management of Companies
109 116 132 140 145 145 148 150 149 161 150 152 144
and Enterprises
Administrative, Support,
51 60 73 82 88 85 80 91 96 100 97 95 86
Waste Management,
Remediation Services
74 89 95 98 104 113 104 108 108 119 114 113 101
Educational Services
Healthcare and Social
94 104 111 113 117 117 115 120 119 119 116 113 108
Assistance
Arts, Entertainment, and
47 58 80 92 104 94 84 79 87 100 92 84 96
Recreation
Accommodation and Food
98 108 126 129 139 138 130 138 148 164 140 137 128
Services
207 178 200 213 210 192 185 178 193 228 217 208 185
Public Administration
175 190 206 216 220 216 213 226 226 223 211 203 192
Other Services
December 2008
www.monster.com
9 of 11
By Occupation
2009 2008
Jan Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan
137 152 172 183 192 192 194 202 196 182 173 184 178
Management
Business and Financial
118 131 145 151 158 157 156 163 170 184 177 183 175
Operations
95 111 126 139 146 145 144 147 153 167 162 160 157
Computer and Mathematical
Architecture and
93 108 127 139 147 146 146 154 163 175 177 173 173
Engineering
Life, Physical, and Social
117 131 140 144 145 142 141 144 146 159 156 153 147
Science
Community and Social
151 184 197 197 210 201 186 198 195 194 190 204 196
Services
96 123 133 144 157 157 157 163 167 180 171 175 167
Legal
Education, Training, and
99 109 114 117 123 132 121 125 130 147 144 142 137
Library
Arts, Design, Entertainment,
80 87 96 103 107 105 104 108 116 130 128 125 126
Sports, and Media
Healthcare Practitioners and
158 174 186 189 199 200 196 199 196 193 181 166 162
Technical
185 195 206 206 222 229 222 218 221 218 201 195 205
Healthcare Support
85 105 120 117 111 113 120 119 127 135 130 130 142
Protective Service
Food Preparation and
121 130 150 149 155 157 153 154 162 183 159 161 152
Serving Related
Building, Grounds Cleaning,
102 115 132 139 150 151 149 152 157 160 154 145 136
Maintenance
68 73 86 96 115 119 127 137 131 127 126 120 159
Personal Care and Service
77 85 97 100 109 108 108 112 118 132 128 125 122
Sales and Related
Office and Administrative
91 105 120 125 132 129 125 136 146 153 150 152 145
Support
Farming, Fishing, and
169 161 156 153 164 179 195 188 185 172 172 174 140
Forestry
96 103 111 120 124 123 123 131 135 141 137 129 124
Construction and Extraction
Installation, Maintenance,
115 135 152 167 176 173 176 185 190 186 164 159 154
and Repair
100 108 119 127 131 130 130 136 140 147 145 142 131
Production
Transportation and Material
72 84 93 98 103 104 103 106 106 113 111 108 108
Moving
December 2008
www.monster.com
10 of 11
171 184 187 188 193 181 175 182 178 172 169 161 159
Military Specific
By Local Market
2009 2008
Jan Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan
72 81 97 106 112 111 114 120 122 131 127 129 123
Atlanta
52 62 69 74 77 75 77 80 83 91 88 89 86
Baltimore
64 79 93 107 112 112 107 114 121 131 123 131 120
Boston
62 76 88 99 103 102 103 105 109 119 115 121 106
Chicago
67 86 112 118 126 118 122 129 129 141 132 137 124
Cincinnati
75 89 112 118 121 120 122 126 128 137 133 129 114
Cleveland
89 99 123 130 135 133 137 138 140 147 139 138 128
Dallas
82 90 111 121 128 126 129 134 136 138 133 130 125
Denver
65 80 101 110 119 116 119 125 125 132 128 123 105
Detroit
108 124 149 149 162 157 153 158 160 164 159 157 146
Houston
68 81 99 107 109 108 108 110 113 119 111 114 98
Indianapolis
71 88 122 124 129 134 134 139 139 152 140 145 123
Kansas City
58 67 74 81 85 85 85 90 93 101 98 99 90
Los Angeles
62 68 79 87 89 87 91 88 89 96 91 95 92
Miami
75 85 100 108 114 112 112 119 124 129 124 123 115
Minneapolis
67 79 89 98 101 101 100 103 110 118 113 117 108
New York City
37 48 59 57 60 61 66 74 76 84 76 77 70
Orlando
47 55 72 85 90 87 88 94 104 116 106 105 98
Philadelphia
63 70 79 87 90 90 92 99 102 104 102 104 99
Phoenix
105 122 159 165 166 158 154 163 163 163 153 147 140
Pittsburgh
59 74 93 111 118 120 122 128 130 140 135 128 114
Portland
68 72 79 84 88 88 87 91 93 95 93 95 89
Sacramento
66 74 82 89 94 95 91 95 98 102 98 98 91
San Diego
December 2008
www.monster.com
11 of 11
63 70 79 89 94 95 94 97 102 106 103 109 100
San Francisco
92 104 110 122 129 127 127 135 136 139 137 131 120
Seattle
89 104 125 133 139 138 139 147 148 154 149 149 137
St. Louis
65 74 83 83 87 88 90 95 96 99 95 95 90
Tampa
54 63 74 85 89 84 83 87 96 105 100 101 90
Washington, D.C.
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 online career outlets, including
Monster®, the Monster Employment Index presents a snapshot of employer online
recruitment activity nationwide. The Monster Employment Index’s underlying data is
validated for accuracy by Research America, Inc. – an independent, third-party auditing firm –
to ensure that measured online job recruitment activity is within a margin of error of +/-
1.05%. Data for the month of January will be released on February 5, 2009.
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 and the NYSE. 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.
December 2008
www.monster.com

Source: Monster