Online Job Index Softer Than a Year Ago

New York, NY, May 1, 2008--The Monster Employment Index added seven points in April, as online job availability in the U.S. continued to rise moderately for the third consecutive month.

Despite the gradual upward trend during the past three months, the Index remains down 6 percent year-over-year, but its growth rate was slightly improved from the year-over-year reading in March.

Similar to March, a majority of industry and occupational categories tracked showed greater online job demand in April, with 17 of 20 industries and 21 of 23 occupations registering gains. Index results for the past 13 months are as follows:

“While the Monster Employment Index registered its strongest single month gain in over 12 months, the increase was largely seasonal in nature and U.S. online recruitment activity remains softer compared to a year ago,” said Jesse Harriott, vice president of research at Monster Worldwide.

“At the same time, the Index’s three-month growth trend, combined with its slightly improved year-over-year growth rate, is an encouraging sign of stabilization in the U.S. labor market.”

Online demand in the accommodation and food services industry registered the largest increase in April, reflecting the approaching summer hiring season for hospitality workers.

In contrast, both the utilities; and mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction industries registered declines last month, while agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting held steady.

During April, online job availability increased in all nine U.S. Census Bureau regions, with the East South Central region showing the strongest gain.

During April, online recruitment activity rose in all of the 28 U.S. metro areas monitored by the Index, with Orlando registering the largest gain, driven by strong demand for healthcare and blue-collar workers.