Monster Employment Index Rises in May

Nationwide Online Recruitment Remains Strong, as 25 U.S. States Show Higher Online Job Availability

Online Opportunities for Production Workers Grow, Suggesting Improving Hiring Climate in Goods-Producing Sector

May 2006 Index Highlights:
Index rises four points to 167 in May, following slight dip in April, suggesting reinvigorated online hiring activity

Online demand for accommodation and food services; agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; and utilities workers surges as summer approaches

Online job availability for production occupations increases, providing positive sign for blue collar workers

Online hiring efforts for construction workers dips, following an all-time high in April

The Monster Employment Index rose in May, reflecting continued growth in online recruitment activity and related job opportunities in the U.S. last month. The Index grew by four points to 167 in May, following a one-point dip in the previous month. Year over year, the overall Index is up 33 points or 25 percent indicating strong growth in online hiring across most of the country.

The Index rose by varying degrees in several key industries and occupations, as well as four of nine U.S. Census divisions in May. Several industries showed higher levels of online demand due to seasonality as summer approached, including accommodation and food services; agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; and utilities. Meanwhile, a number of occupational categories rounded out three- to seven-month consecutive growth trends, including production; personal care and service; computer and mathematical (IT); and community and social services.

ìThe May findings of the Monster Employment Index further extend the overall mostly upward growth trend in online job demand seen through the first five months of 2006. This is particularly encouraging news for college graduates, many of whom began entering the working world last month,î said Steve Pogorzelski, Group President, International at Monster Worldwide. ìDespite slight declines and flatness in certain industries and occupational categories, online job recruitment activity in May across the U.S. was strong, pushing the Index to its highest level to date.î

Online Demand for Workers in Accommodation and Food Services Industry Spikes Due to Seasonality

The accommodation and food services industry showed a notable rise in online demand for workers in May, continuing a solid six-month growth trend. This is potentially due to a number of factors, including seasonal hiring at the onset of summer. Overall, online job demand for workers rose in 12 of 20 industries during May, with strong growth measured in:

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, which jumped markedly higher, likely due to warmer summer weather approaching, and continued a mostly-upward five-month growth trend;

Utilities, driven by a seasonal hiring push for workers; and

Arts, entertainment, and recreation, which rose for the fourth consecutive month.

In contrast, online recruitment activity for workers in the construction industry retracted from its highest point to date in April, but remained at an elevated level. Other industries that showed a decline in overall online demand for workers during May include transportation and warehousing; wholesale trade; and information.

Online Opportunities for Production Workers Rise in May, Suggesting Improving Hiring Climate in Goods-Producing Sector

Online demand for production workers grew in May, indicating stepped up hiring of workers in the goods-producing sector. This follows months of other positive indicators suggesting strong growth in manufacturing. Overall online demand for workers rose in 10 of 23 occupational categories in May, with particularly strong growth noted in the following occupations:

Personal care and service, which surged last month to extend a solid seven-month upward growth trend;

Computer and mathematical (IT), which edged higher during the month, as hiring activity for IT professionals remained robust and companies across all sectors continued to invest in technology; and

Community and social services, which rose for the third consecutive month, suggesting solid growth in the nationís public sector.

Online demand for a variety of business and professional services occupations, however, edged lower during May, including legal; management; business and financial operations; and architecture and engineering.

Online Recruitment in West South Central Region Jumps in May, Driven by Continued Post-Hurricane Reconstruction Efforts

Once again, the West South Central region registered the strongest regional growth in online job availability last month due to continued hiring to fill reconstruction needs in the Gulf Coast area. Overall, 25 U.S. states showed greater online demand for employees in May, with Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota and Arkansas among those registering the sharpest gains.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for May 2006, including all charts and tables, please visit www.monsterworldwide.com/Press_Room/MEI.html. Data for the month of June 2006 will be released on July 6, 2006.