After three months of steady growth, the decline in the Monster Employment Index in May suggests further moderation in the job market resulting from a generally softer economic outlook,” said Jesse Harriott, Vice President of Research at Monster Worldwide. “Certain sectors, such as food, healthcare, natural resources, public administration, military and utilities are still showing strong demand for workers.”
Online Demand in Utilities Shows Largest Monthly Increase in May
Online labor demand in the utilities industry registered the sharpest jump in May, expanding significantly for the first time since a steep decline seen during the early winter months. The sizable increase is likely due in part to the approaching summer season, which tends to put additional strain on utility networks. Online opportunities in the construction industry also edged upward in May, extending a period of mainly steady online job availability in the industry to four consecutive months. The Index also saw an increase in online job opportunities in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; and mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction industries.
In contrast, the accommodation and food services industry saw the sharpest decline in online job demand among all industry categories in May, likely a result of further moderation in the hospitality sector.
On a year-over-year basis, two industry categories tracked by the Index are showing greater online job availability compared to a year ago. Public administration; and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting are again the Index’s top annual growth industries, marking the sixth consecutive month the two categories have held this top spot. Meanwhile, momentum appears weak in the information; and finance and insurance industries, as year-over-year growth rates decelerated rapidly between April and May. Although the utilities industry had the largest upward swing in May, the category remains well below its year-ago level.
Online Demand for Management Occupations Jumps in May, while Education, Training and Library; and Sales and Related Edge Downward
Online demand for management occupations registered the largest monthly increase in May as employers competed for top talent to help economize their operations during a softer economic period. The strong rise in May also elevated the management category above its year ago level for the first time since January. In fact, management is now the only category in the white-collar segment to show over-the-year growth outside of healthcare. Meanwhile, online job demand increased in May for both the military specific; and installation, maintenance and repair occupational categories, marking the fourth consecutive month of steadily increasing job availability.
In contrast, online job availability decreased for education, training and library; food preparation and serving; and sales and related occupations in May, likely signaling the end of the strong spring recruitment season for jobs in these sectors. The decline in sales and related occupations may indicate further caution among employers amid flatter purchasing trends and lower consumer confidence. Reduced recruitment activity was also seen in the transportation and material moving occupations category, a likely by-product of higher fuel prices and congestion in various freight distribution networks.
On a year-over-year basis, six occupational categories are showing higher demand compared to a year ago. The farming, fishing, and forestry category edged out both the healthcare support; and healthcare practitioners and technical categories as the Index’s top occupational category in terms of year-over-year growth. The sharp increase in online opportunities for management occupations in May lifted overall recruitment for the category slightly above year-ago levels, following a first quarter that saw limited activity. In contrast, business and financial operations; life, physical and social science; and legal all continued to lose momentum.
Online Job Availability Declines in Eight of Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in May
During May, online job availability dipped in eight of the nine U.S. Census Bureau regions, with only the West South Central registering an increase and the Mid-Atlantic region registering the greatest drop. Year-over-year, all nine regions are showing lower online job availability compared to a year ago.
At the state level, online job demand fell in 45 of the 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia between April and May.
Online Job Availability Falls in 27 of the Top 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets
During May, online recruitment activity fell in 27 of the 28 U.S. metro areas monitored by the Index. Pittsburgh, the only major market that did not register a decline in May, held steady this month, with elevated activity throughout both the blue- and white-collar segments. Similar to national occupational trends, all major metropolitan markets saw fewer online opportunities for food preparation and serving; and sales and related occupations. Meanwhile, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. were among the markets showing the steepest declines in May, with reductions in online job postings seen in the sciences, engineering and education.
On an annual basis, two of the 28 monitored markets are showing more online job opportunities than a year ago. Pittsburgh, with accelerated growth in management, construction and production occupations, is once again the Index’s top growth market year-over-year. For the first time in the history of the Index, year-over-year growth in Dallas turned downward, despite strong growth in areas such as management, the sciences and healthcare. Los Angeles and Baltimore continue to show the most dramatic declines in online job demand, as white-collar occupations in particular saw year-over-year growth slip in May.
