Monster Index Shows Employment Increasing

New York, NY, April 1, 2011 -- Monster Worldwide's monthly gauge of online job postings in the U.S. rose nearly 9% in March compared with a year ago.

Monster, an online careers and recruiting firm, said its employment index was at the highest level since October 2010, thanks to strong demand for healthcare workers.

Compared with a year ago, the index was up 8.8% in March. It rose 5.4%, to 136 points, in March from 129 in February.

"The March index reinforces a consensus from other leading indicators that the labor market is continuing to grow at a measured pace," Jesse Harriott, senior vice president at Monster Worldwide, said in a press release.

Mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction sector had the greatest demand as an industry.