Monster Employment Index Inches Up

New York, NY, September 7, 2007--The Monster Employment Index rose three points in August, reflecting a slight rebound in online job availability across a majority of industries, occupations and geographical regions following the traditionally slower summer months of June and July.

The Monster Employment Index is based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from more than 1,500 different websites, including Monster.

The index's three-point gain last month was smaller than the typical rise seen in past months of August and trimmed the Index's annual growth pace to roughly 7.5%, its lowest level on record and a further indication of softening employer demand for labor.

"Although the Index was broadly up in August, the overall increase in online job availability was more modest than in previous years and points to further moderation in online recruitment activity compared to last year," said Steve Pogorzelski, executive vice president, Global Sales and Customer Development at Monster Worldwide.

Among industries, the administrative, support, waste management and remediation category registered the highest rate of increase in online job availability during August, rising seven points, or 6%, followed by arts, entertainment and recreation, and information.

In contrast, the retail trade and public administration industry categories saw the largest declines in August, as both fell about 4% on the month. The sharp seven-point drop in online demand in the retail trade industry was unexpected and pushed its annual growth into the single digits for the first time since the index's inception.

Meanwhile, the sales and related occupational category registered a modest two-point gain in August, but remains down on a year-over-year basis for the third consecutive month. Contrary to seasonal expectations, online recruitment for business and financial operations occupations remained flat in August and is now up just 2% on the year.