Monster Employment Index Rises to New All Time High in October

Higher Demand in Construction Industry, and for Military-related Occupations, Helps Propel Upward Momentum

West South Central Region Registers Greatest Month-to-Month Increase, Likely Due to Rebuilding Efforts in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina

October 2005 Index Highlights:

Index rises three points to new, all-time high of 143, despite negative impact of Hurricane Katrina on jobless claims

Online demand in construction industry continues rapid pace of growth, bolstered by strength of U.S. housing market and early reconstruction efforts in Gulf region

Online job availability for military occupations rebounds, showing renewed growth following September slowdown
All nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions show greater online job demand in October, demonstrating broad, nationwide growth in online opportunities

West South Central region registers greatest month-to-month increase, rising seven points to 149

The Monster Employment Index rose strongly in October, demonstrating a sharp rebound in U.S. online job demand and online job recruitment activity following the brief dip measured by the Index in September. Despite the early negative impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the overall Index increased three points, rising from 140 in September 2005 to 143 in October, the highest level since the Index’s inception and a 29-point increase over its October 2004 level of 104.

The October findings of the Monster Employment Index showed a significant rebound in online recruitment activity in October, following the slight pullback measured in September, when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast and gas prices soared to new highs, said Steve Pogorzelski, Group President, International at Monster Worldwide. All nine U.S. regions and a majority of industries and occupational categories tracked by the Index saw increased online job availability during the past month, reflecting the underlying strength of the U.S. economy, which saw a better-than-expected 3.8% rise in real GDP during the third quarter. Judging from the October Index findings, the fourth quarter hiring environment is off to a strong start and is back to building upon the momentum experienced prior to September.

Construction Extends Year-Long Upward Growth Trend, While Manufacturing Sees First Rise Since April

Online recruitment activity in the construction industry extended its year-long upward growth trend, showing the sharpest rate of increase in online job availability among industries during the month of October. The healthy gain reflected the continued strength in the U.S. housing market, as well as intensified post-Katrina reconstruction efforts. Overall, online job demand for workers rose in 12 of 20 industries during October, with strong growth measured in the following industries:

Manufacturing, which rose three points during the month, its first increase since April of this year and an encouraging sign for production workers; Arts, entertainment, and recreation, which saw renewed growth in online recruitment activity in October after a flat third quarter, due in part to intensified hiring for the upcoming winter sports season and a pick-up in tourism in many parts of the country; and Retail trade, which edged higher for the second straight month as retailers continued staffing up for the holiday season.

Online Demand for Military Occupations Rebounds after Sharp Drop in September

Military-related positions saw the greatest rate of increase in online job demand among occupations during the month of October. Contributing to the rise was the U.S. military’s stepped-up recruiting efforts to keep pace with its personnel needs to support efforts in Iraq, as well as higher demand for federal aid and relief workers, and defense and aerospace professionals. There was a particularly large spike in online demand for defense and aerospace professionals who have security clearance. Overall online demand for workers rose in 17 of 23 occupational categories in October, showing higher online job availability across a wide range of positions. Other occupations that registered significant increases during the month included:

Architecture and engineering, which continued a ten-month growth trend and saw a particularly large spike in online demand in October, partially due to a boost in spending toward research and development (R&D) operations across a number of industries;

Computer and mathematical, which saw a significant spike in growth, potentially due to increased investment in technology across industries; and

Installation, maintenance and repair, which showed an upward spike in October as demand for repair and reconstruction workers in hurricane-affected areas rose strongly.

U.S. Online Job Demand Shows Broad Growth as All U.S. Regions Rise in October

Online job demand for workers increased across all nine U.S. Census Bureau regions in October, led by the West South Central region, which registered the greatest month-to-month increase. Online job availability in the West South Central region rose a total of seven points to 149 - one point shy of its all-time high - likely due to intensified rebuilding efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. All U.S. regions remained at very high levels when compared year over year.

Forty-two U.S. states, along with the District of Columbia, registered increases during the past month, with Alaska, Kansas, Mississippi and Louisiana among those seeing the sharpest gains, as some of the Gulf Coast states saw hurricane relief efforts driving online job demand higher during the past month.

To obtain a full copy of the Monster Employment Index report for October 2005, including all charts and tables, please visit www.monsterworldwide.com/Press_Room/MEI.html. Data for the month of November 2005 will be released on December 1, 2005.