During November, just two of 20 industries and two of 23 occupational categories tracked by the Index registered increased online job availability. As a result, the Index's annual growth pace slipped to 4.6 percent, the lowest on record, indicating further deceleration in overall U.S. online job demand.
"This marks the first time since its inception, that the Index has declined during the month of November and suggests that a two-year low in consumer confidence amid greater economic uncertainty is making employers more cautious about their near-term hiring plans," said Steve Pogorzelski, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Customer Development at Monster Worldwide. "Nevertheless, the Index remains eight points higher year-over-year and there are still pockets where demand for workers was strong last month, particularly in the areas of legal, healthcare, utilities and public administration."
Utilities and Public Administration Industries Register Strong Increases in November
Among industries, the utilities category registered the sharpest rate of increase in online job availability in November, edging up 12 points, or seven percent, on heightened seasonal demand ahead of the colder winter months. Online demand in the public administration industry also edged upward, gaining four points, or two percent.
During the month, online opportunities in the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry fell sharply, suggesting a softer hiring outlook in leisure and tourism. Offers in the finance and insurance industry also dipped, following months of reported layoff announcements in the mortgage industry and financial losses within the banking sector. Meanwhile, opportunities in the real estate and rental and leasing industry ebbed, as home sales hit a new low in October, suggesting a further downturn in the troubled housing market. At the same time, demand in the retail trade industry eased following a pre-holiday shopping season rise during the previous month.
Despite registering declines last month, both the management of companies and enterprises; and administrative and support industry categories are showing double-digit gains in online job availability over the past year.
Legal; and Community and Social Services Register Sharpest Monthly Increases among Occupations
During November, the legal category registered the strongest rate of increase in online job availability among occupations tracked, edging up four points, or two percent, followed closely by the community and social services category, which rose three points, or one percent. Online opportunities for sales and related occupations also declined in November, reflecting a cautious retail hiring environment as U.S. consumer confidence dipped to a two-year low. The sales and related category is now down five percent over the year.
In another sector sensitive to consumer spending, online demand for food preparation and serving occupations eased for the fifth consecutive month. The computer and mathematical (IT) category also dipped last month and is now down seven points, or four percent, over the year. In contrast, architecture and engineering, which slumped earlier because of the housing market slowdown, is now showing a moderate gain year-over-year.
Over the year, healthcare practitioners and technical; and healthcare support remain the Index's top-performing occupational categories, fueled by rapid job growth and acute demand for skilled healthcare professionals. Both categories are up more than 25 percent on a year-over-year basis.
Online Job Availability Declines in All nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in November
All nine U.S. Census Bureau regions saw reduced online job availability in November, with the East South Central region showing the sharpest decline, dropping six points, or four percent. Meanwhile, the East North Central region fell by a more modest three points, or two percent. On a year-over-year basis, the West South Central region is still the Index's top growth region, while Pacific is the only region showing a decline in online job demand compared to a year ago.
Among the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, only five states saw increased online recruitment activity in November. Vermont and Hawaii showed the largest increases on the month.
Three of the Top 28 U.S. Metro Markets Register Gains in November
Among the top 28 U.S. cities tracked by the Index, only Orlando, Pittsburgh and Tampa saw increased online job availability in November, while Portland, San Diego and Cincinnati experienced the sharpest declines. The Orlando market's higher reading was mostly due to heightened demand for transportation and material moving occupations, while a rise in opportunities for various blue-collar occupations drove the Pittsburgh Index. Increased demand for service and military occupations helped fuel gains in the Tampa metro area.
On a year-over-year basis, St. Louis remains the Index's top growth market, having risen 29 percent over the past 12 months, while Baltimore has dipped the most, falling 21 percent. Growth in St. Louis has been fueled by high demand for management and office and administrative support occupations, while Baltimore has seen a significant drop in white-collar demand, specifically in the areas of business and financial operations and the sciences.
