Monster Employment Index Edges Up Slightly in September

The Monster Employment Index edged up one point in September, as online recruitment activity increased slightly for the second consecutive month. The Monster Employment Index is a monthly gauge of U.S. online job demand based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large representative selection of corporate career Web sites and job boards, including Monster(R).

During September, online job availability rose in 10 of the Index's 20 industry categories and in 12 of the 23 occupational categories measured. On a year-over-year basis, the Index remained flat from the previous two months, down 14 percent from a year ago.

The modest rise in the Monster Employment Index in September reflects the typical pick up seen in overall recruitment activity during the outset of the fall hiring season, said Jesse Harriott, Vice President of Research at Monster Worldwide. Although the Index is down 14 percent year-on-year, there are some bright spots, including increased online demand for occupations in public administration and healthcare.

Public Administration and Retail Trade Industries Register Largest Monthly Gains in Online Job Demand in September

Online job demand in the public administration industry registered the highest rate of increase in September, driven primarily by strong job posting growth among the nation's defense agencies and within local government. The retail trade industry also noted a sizable jump in recruiting activity, demonstrating resilience at the height of back-to-school and back-to-work hiring season, even as retailers brace for what is projected to be a challenging holiday sales period.

In contrast, online job recruitment activity in the educational services industry declined in September, suggesting that many schools and colleges have concluded their hiring efforts for the fall semester. Meanwhile, online demand also fell sharply in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry, while other industries such as construction; wholesale trade; real estate and rental and leasing; and professional, scientific and technical services registered more moderate dips on the month.

On a year-over-year basis, public administration remains the Index's fastest growing industry category, with the mining; and farming, foresting, fishing and hunting industries also showing solid gains amid continued high demand for workers in the oil and gas industry and farming sector.

Military Specific Occupations Register Largest Gain in Online Job Opportunities in September

The military specific occupational category showed the highest rate of growth in online job availability in September, suggesting increased hiring in the aerospace and defence industry. Community and social service occupations also saw heightened demand in September, as non-profit organizations and assorted government functions stepped up their fall recruitment efforts.

In contrast, farming, fishing and forestry registered the sharpest monthly decline among occupational groups for the second consecutive month, followed closely by education, training and library. Other occupations that registered lower demand in September include personal care and service; and healthcare support.

On a year-over-year basis, farming, fishing and forestry is still the Index's top rated occupational category in terms of growth, marking the fifth month in a row it has held this spot. Despite exhibiting fewer online opportunities in September, categories such as computers and mathematical (IT); and life, physical, and social science, showed slightly improved annual growth rates compared to August. The protective service category registered the largest decline from a year ago among occupational groups.

Online Job Availability Rises in Three of Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in September

Online job demand rose in three of the nine U.S. Census Bureau regions in September, with the Mid-Atlantic region registering the largest increase on the month, followed closely by the West South Central and the East North Central regions. West North Central was the only region to show a decline in online demand in September, while the remaining five regions were unchanged from August.

From an annual perspective, all nine regions remain down compared to a year ago, with the West South Central region showing the smallest contraction, reflecting sustained momentum in energy rich states such as Oklahoma and Texas.

At the state level, online job demand increased in 26 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia during September.

Online Job Demand Up in 17 of the Top 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets

During September, online recruitment activity increased in 17 of the 28 U.S. metro areas monitored by the Index. Cincinnati showed the largest gain over the month, driven mainly by heightened demand for IT, healthcare and office/administrative occupations. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Kansas City registered the steepest decline in demand over the month, mostly due to sharply fewer opportunities for legal, education and office/administrative occupations, a trend not seen in any of the other major Midwestern markets tracked.

On an annual basis, Pittsburgh remains the Index's top growth market year-over-year following a solid gain in September, while Orlando is the worst performing.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for September 2008, and access current individual data charts for each of the 28 metro markets tracked, please visit: