The number of jobs being advertised online across Europe
showed a sharp year-on-year rise in January, according to a new survey.
The Monster Employment Index Europe rose by 25 per cent in January 2011 to 116,
compared to 93 in January 2010. Despite falling slightly from the 122 achieved
in December 2011, observers have said it indicates that
overall hiring plans - particularly through online recruitment - are still
positive, despite the decline in public-sector job opportunities.
The head of the European operations of New York-based Monster, Andrea Bertone,
said the long-term picture for improving job prospects was continuing to
improve, but that everybody still needed to be prudent.
The index does show the impact of tighter government spending, with
significant reductions in public-sector opportunities, she said.
The months ahead will be key as we see the currently growing private
sector react to these cutbacks.
Geoff Newman, chief executive of online recruiter Recruitment
Genius believes this is great news for the wider European economy.
“The publication of the European index comes just days after Monster published
their index for the US, which showed demand had seen a seven per cent
year-on-year rise. Germany seems to be driving growth, particularly in
production and manufacturing vacancies. Hopefully the UK will follow their
lead.”
The index is compiled from statistics from online recruitment sites from across
European Union countries, including Monster's own site.