Online Job Availability Up or Unchanged in Top Mar
New York, NY, December 21, 2006--Online job availability increased or remained unchanged in half of the top 28 U.S. metro markets in November, as employers across the country wrapped up recruitment of temporary workers for the holiday season, according to the latest findings of the Monster Local Employment Index.
A majority of the markets tracked by the Index showed only marginal changes--plus or minus one-to-two points--suggesting no significant shift in overall online job demand.
Online job opportunities for business and financial operations rose or held steady in 22 of the 28 monitored markets, indicating continued strong demand for finance and accounting professionals, particularly as financial services companies begin preparing for the upcoming auditing and tax season. In addition, online recruitment for education, training and library; as well as food preparation and serving related occupations are up on a year-over-year basis in all 28 monitored markets, showing strong demand nationwide for teachers and food service industry professionals. Cincinnati, which already leads the Index in terms of year-over-year growth for management occupations, registered the largest overall month-to-month rise in November, driven mainly by a sharply higher demand for white-collar professionals in business and financial occupations.
"The Monster Local Employment Index findings for November demonstrate a seasonal slowdown in recruitment activity across most major U.S. cities as many employers wrapped-up their recruitment of temporary support staff for the holiday season," said Steve Pogorzelski, group president, International at Monster Worldwide. "However, compared to last year, demand for workers remains elevated in a majority of large metro areas, reflecting tightened local labor markets in a majority of the country's largest municipalities."
The Houston metro market, which remained the fastest growing online recruitment market on a year-over-year basis by a wide margin, held steady at a level of 120 in November, following a four-month growth streak. Growth in online recruitment in the Houston metro area has been driven by a booming oil and gas industry, rising international trade and a strong aerospace and defense industry. Solid population growth in the metro area also has created new job opportunities in the services sector and helped uphold local demand for housing.
Meanwhile, Dallas, Indianapolis and Philadelphia were among the markets showing greater online job availability between October and November. Increased online recruitment activity in Dallas was fueled by more opportunities in the broad services sector, while Indianapolis benefited from higher demand for researchers and scientists. Widened job offers in office and administrative support occupations, as well as within the installation/repair and cleaning/maintenance industries, helped drive marginal growth in the Philadelphia metro market.
Boston and St. Louis each fell three points and registered the sharpest declines in November, following a three-month period of gradually rising demand. Boston saw online availability ease among business and professional services occupations, as well as in construction related categories. Most categories in St. Louis declined in November, with the notable exceptions of business and financial operations; and transportation.
On a year-over-year basis, Houston is followed by Cleveland, Kansas City and Minneapolis as the fastest growing online recruitment markets. In contrast, Los Angeles, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. occupy the bottom spots.
Protective service occupations remained the strongest growth rate performers over the past 12 months, followed by food preparation and serving; arts, design, entertainment, sports and media; education, training and library; and building and grounds cleaning and maintenance related positions.
