Online Job Openings Increase 4%

New York, NY, March 3, 2011 -- Monster's monthly gauge of online labor demand in the United States rose 4% in February compared with the same month a year ago.

Compared with January, Monster said its monthly employment index rose by 6% in February.

The Monster Employment Index reviews employer job opportunities culled from a large selection of corporate career Web sites and job boards, including Monster.com.

Of the 20 industries monitored by the Index, 10 showed positive annual growth trends.

Mining and wholesale trade led. Utilities jobs were up 17%, Monster said.

Retail employment rose 15% on a monthly basis, a trend similar to pre-recession activity, Monster said.