Online Recruitment Activity Stays Level in December, Reports Monster Employment Index Europe

The Monster Employment Index Europe is a monthly analysis of millions of online job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of corporate career sites and job boards across the European Union, including Monster individual country sites. Highlights of activity in Europe, the UK, the Netherlands, France and Germany follow. The full reports for all countries covered individually can be accessed from the main Monster Employment Index site.

December 2009 Europe Index Highlights:

• The Monster Employment Index Europe was unchanged in December, with offerings down 24 percent year-on-year, a much slower rate of contraction than reported in November
• The UK saw the biggest jump in online worker demand in December, extending its growth trend to a third consecutive month, whilst the Netherlands and Sweden also noted a mild uptick in worker demand

Summary Overview
Online recruitment activity held steady at the end of 2009, as businesses maintained their recruitment levels during the busy holiday season. Despite the flat reading, the Index noted three percent growth over the last quarter of 2009. In addition, the annual rate of decline slowed in December; offerings were down 24 percent compared to year earlier figures, a more modest rate than seen in November. These factors combined suggest that the Index has reached a bottom, providing a positive sign for job seekers as we head into 2010.

December saw significantly increased demand for workers in the legal sector. Service and sales workers noted the largest monthly gain among occupational groups, largely due to seasonal recruitment trends during the Christmas period.

UK Online Recruitment December Ends the Year on a High

December 2009 UK Online Index Highlights:

• The Monster Employment Index UK rose by four points (three percent), ending the year at a twelve-month high
• HR, manufacturing, legal and finance all reported increased opportunities in December, while demand for technically skilled workers in architecture, construction and engineering remained muted
• Wales saw the best upturn in job demand, with Scotland and London also seeing improvements

Summary Overview
Online recruitment opportunities in the UK rose four points (three percent) in December, ending the year at a level unseen over the prior 11 months. Year on year the Index was down 15 percent, the smallest since December 2008 and well below the overall EU level, suggesting the UK labour market is emerging somewhat ahead of its continental counterpart.

Among occupational groups, opportunities have risen the most for clerical support workers, many of whom are employed in temporary positions, suggesting the worst of the corporate freeze is over.

Netherlands Online Recruitment Activity Increases Slightly in December

December 2009 Netherlands Index Highlights:

• The Monster Employment Index Netherlands climbed two points (two percent) in December following a slight decline in November, as opportunities remained low
• Research and development opportunities increased for the third consecutive month and rocketed in December, whilst legal offerings also rose
• All regions noted increased offerings on a monthly basis, but continued to report fewer opportunities year-on-year

Summary Overview
The Index rose three percent over the final quarter of 2009, the first quarterly rise since the first quarter of 2008, suggesting that the Dutch labour market may have reached a bottom and is beginning to stabilise. Furthermore, whilst offerings are down 39 percent compared to December 2008, the annual rate of contraction has slowed significantly, and is now at its lowest rate since January 2008.

France Online Job Opportunities Dip Slightly Due to Seasonal Recruitment Trends

December 2009 France Index Highlights

• The Monster Employment Index France dipped two points (two percent) in December, marking a second consecutive monthly drop; year-on-year the Index was down 17 points (13 percent)
• Opportunities in the legal sector continued to soar at the end of the fourth quarter, while hiring for healthcare and social workers accelerated further
• Ile de France was the only region to report sustained gains in December

Summary Overview
The slight dip in online job opportunities during the final month of 2009 was largely due to seasonal factors, as organisations slowed down their recruitment activity leading up to the busy Christmas and New Year period. Whilst the Index dipped in December, overall online worker demand increased 13 percent during the fourth quarter of 2009. This suggests businesses are preparing for recovery as we head into 2010.

Online Job Demand Across Germany Remains Steady in December

December 2009 Germany Index Highlights:

• The Monster Employment Index Germany showed no overall change in December as online recruitment activity remained largely unchanged at the end of 2009. On an annual basis, the Index was down 26 percent
• Job availability in the HR sector rose for the fourth time in five months, reflecting a bounce back in demand for those involved in workforce planning and training
• Hessen led all regions on the month while Mecklenburg-Vorpommern saw the most moderate fall year-on-year

Summary Overview
Although the level of online worker demand across Germany remained at a low level in December, the annual decline was its smallest for six months, falling just 26 percent suggesting the longer term trend is improving. Despite positive annual growth in the
education, healthcare and finance sectors, steep yearly declines in engineering, manufacturing and transport and logistics counterbalanced these positives.

Last update : 18-01-2010 13:31

Keywords : News, Today, Monster Employment Index Europe December Data

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