December 2005 Index Highlights:
" Index falls four points to 145, as a majority of occupations, regions and states register declines in online job demand
" Business occupations show seasonal decline, reflecting slowdown in recruitment for white-collar positions
" Index shows fewer online opportunities in construction occupations as winter weather inhibits building in many areas of the country
" Strong online job availability measured in the transportation and accommodation industries, likely due to growing strength in the U.S. hotel industry and anticipation of the winter travel and tourism season
" Online recruitment activity in Louisiana continues three-month growth trend as post-hurricane recovery efforts in Gulf Coast area continue
NEW YORK, January 5, 2006 - The Monster Employment Index declined in December, as a majority of occupations, states and all U.S. Census Bureau regions registered lower levels of online job availability during the month. The Index fell four points, from 149 in November to 145 in December, ending a four-month growth trend, but remaining 32 points higher than its year-ago level of 113. As in the declines measured in 2003 and 2004, December's drop in online recruitment activity is likely due to seasonality, as many employers have already filled holiday-related temporary positions and are awaiting the finalization of budgets for 2006. The Index's overall results for the past 13 months are as follows:
Dec. 05 Nov. 05 Oct. 05 Sept. 05 Aug. 05 Jul. 05 Jun. 05 May 05 Apr. 05 Mar. 05 Feb. 05 Jan. 05 Dec. 04
145 149 143 140 142 134 136 134 131 130 122 120 113
"The Monster Employment Index has shown strong, steady, upward growth throughout most of 2005, with a noteworthy growth trend over the past four months, ending in an expected seasonal dip in December. The past month's decline indicates the slowdown in online hiring registered in December of 2003 and 2004, as employers typically wrap up their seasonal hiring activity and await approval on 2006 budgets," said Steve Pogorzelski, Group President, International at Monster Worldwide. "Despite this anticipated seasonal slowdown, almost all industries, occupations, regions and states show much higher levels of online job availability than a year ago, demonstrating solid growth over the course of 2005. This certainly bodes well for job seekers as we enter 2006."