- Index fell by one point reflecting seasonal lull in U.S. online recruitment activity
- Year-over-year growth rate showed slight improvement from previous two months
- Real estate, rental and leasing registered strongest monthly rise in online job availability among industries amid signs of stabilization in the housing market
- Among occupations, legal and protective services led all categories in June while demand eased further for technically skilled professionals
The Monster Employment Index slipped one point or one percent in June as online job opportunities fell modestly, largely in line with seasonal expectations. Year-over-year, the Index was down 28 percent, somewhat of an improvement from April and May’s annual pace of decline.
The Monster Employment Index is a monthly gauge of U.S. online job demand based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large representative selection of corporate career Web sites and job boards, including Monster®.
During June, online job availability rose in eight of the Index’s 20 industry sectors and twelve of the 23 occupational categories monitored.
“While U.S. online job availability has remained largely flat since January, the annual pace improved during the second quarter, suggesting some expansion in underlying employer demand for workers,” said Jesse Harriott, senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at Monster Worldwide. “Still, current levels of online job vacancies are at their lowest since January 2005, illustrating the extent to which hiring has slowed during this recession.”
Real Estate Industry Registers Largest Monthly Increase in Online Job Demand in June
Online labor demand in the real estate, rental and leasing industry jumped sharply in June. This rise coincides with the marginally improved statistics on residential sales declared by the National Association of Realtors, suggesting a pick-up in housing sector activity may be imminent. Demand for educational services also increased gaining further momentum after a slow start at the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, management of companies and enterprises edged up by one point and the wholesale trade industry remained flat. In contrast, the manufacturing industry saw a moderate decline in the month reaching its lowest level in the Index since inception.
On an annual basis, agriculture and public administration remained the only two sectors showing increased online job demand.
Online Job Opportunities for Legal and Protective Services Occupations Rise while Architecture and Engineering Ease
Among occupations, legal and protective services registered the strongest monthly increases in online job availability in June. Offerings for legal occupations jumped nine points, or 11 percent, in a positive sign for recent law school graduates. Protective services added eight points signaling increased hiring for law enforcement workers and fire fighters. The Index also showed greater demand for workers in sales and personal care as well as for arts and entertainment professionals.
Meanwhile, demand eased further for technically skilled professionals in areas such as architecture and engineering and the sciences, with architecture and engineering being one of the weakest trending sectors among white-collar workers. In contrast, the traditional blue-collar occupations were up in the Index, experiencing an improved annual growth rate in June.
Year-over-year, farming, fishing and forestry came in flat, while military specific, healthcare support and education experienced only modest declines.
Online Job Availability Remains Flat in Six of the Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in June
During June, online job availability remained flat in six of the nine U.S. Census Bureau regions. East South Central was the only region to edge higher amid increased online recruitment activity in Mississippi, while West North Central and South Atlantic dipped.
Year-over-year, East South Central boasts the most moderate rate of decline, while Pacific continues to show the highest pace of decline.
At the state level, monthly changes were minor in most states except Alaska and Oklahoma, each of which saw notable increases in online demand.
Ten of the Top 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets Register Increases in June
Posting a third month of consecutive rise, Orlando notched a one-point gain amid increased job opportunities for education, training and library; and blue-collar occupations like installation, maintenance and repair; and production. Meanwhile, Boston bounced back from a record low in May, and Chicago added one point amid increased demand for healthcare, food services, sales and transportation occupations.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Cincinnati experienced the most notable decline due to reduced demand for business and financial operations; life, physical and social sciences; and office and administrative support occupations.
Year-over-year, all 28 metro markets registered a negative annual growth with Sacramento and Pittsburgh exhibiting the most moderate rate of decline.
