Many of the industries and occupations tracked were little changed last month, with gains in some categories offset by declines in others. The Index's annual growth rate also held steady at eight percent, as overall online job availability remained 14 points higher than a year ago. Overall, 11 of 20 industries and nine of 23 occupational categories tracked by the Index registered increased online job availability last month. Index results for the past 13 months are as follows:
"With payrolls declining for the first time in four years in August, signs of upward pressure on the unemployment rate and a slowing worker turnover rate, U.S. online recruitment appears to have leveled off somewhat over the past three months," said Steve Pogorzelski, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Customer Development at Monster Worldwide. "While online opportunities for white-collar occupations in general, and the financial sector in particular, eased further in September, the Index has yet to show any dramatic adverse impact on demand for workers in the broader service sector as a result of the sub-prime mortgage fallout."
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation; Transportation and Warehousing; and Construction Industries Register Highest Rate of Increase in Online Job Availability in September
Among industries, online job opportunities for arts, entertainment and recreation registered the sharpest increase between August and September, jumping eight percent, followed closely by transportation and warehousing, which rose six percent. Online recruitment activity also increased over the month for industries in the goods producing sectors, with both construction and manufacturing edging up three percent. Both the wholesale and retail trade industries saw online opportunities expand again in September, with wholesale trade edging up two percent and retail trade rising three percent. In fact, wholesale trade rose to a historical high of 172 and is now up eight percent on a year-over-year basis.
In contrast, real estate and rental and leasing posted the largest decrease in online job offerings in September, falling five percent. Other industries that showed fewer opportunities last month include management of companies and enterprises; and finance and insurance, which both dipped one percent. Five industry categories remained unchanged on the month.
On a year-over-year basis, transportation and warehousing remained the top growth industry, followed closely by utilities and public administration.
Legal; Education, Training and Library; and Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Register Sharpest Monthly Increases
Online job availability increased the most for legal occupations in September, as the category rose three percent, with education, training and library following close behind after edging up two percent. Several blue-collar occupational categories also registered gains on the month, including transportation and material moving; and construction and extraction, which both added two percent. Online opportunities for sales and related positions also expanded, climbing two percent in September.
While the protective service category posted the sharpest decline in online job demand last month, dropping three percent, food preparation and serving also dipped, easing one percent and continuing a three-month downward trend. Meanwhile, online recruitment for several white-collar categories such as management, and business and financial operations, also contracted during September, while several technical categories such as computer and mathematical (IT); architecture and engineering; and life, physical, and social science were unchanged.
Year-over-year, healthcare support remains the Index's top growth category, while military specific has registered the steepest decline.
Four of Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions Show Increased Online Job Availability in September
Just four of the nine U.S. Census Bureau regions tracked by the Index saw online job availability expand in September. The West North Central region registered the sharpest gain, edging up two percent on greater demand for workers in education, healthcare, sales and construction. Meanwhile, the Pacific region posted the largest monthly decline, shedding one percent. On a year-over-year basis, the West South Central is the Index's top growth region, while the Mountain region continues to show the smallest gain.
Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, New Mexico registered the highest rate of increase during September, while California and Massachusetts saw the biggest drops. Year-over-year, Texas remains the Index's top growth state while Alaska and Arizona have dipped the most.
