Employers Still Hiring College Grads This Year -But Competition is Stiffer to Land First Job

MonsterTRAK`s fifth annual `Entry-Level Job Outlook` survey indicates over 50
percent of employers plan to hire college graduates this season
MAYNARD, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
Employers` entry-level hiring plans are conservative compared to prior years
according to MonsterTRAK`s annual nationwide survey of college students,
graduates and employers. However, findings indicate that 54 percent of companies
surveyed still plan to hire 2009 college graduates.

MonsterTRAK is the channel of Monster.com, the leading global online career and
recruitment resource and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW),
that connects college students and recent graduates with employers looking for
qualified entry-level and internship candidates.

Employers Still Hiring

While 71 percent of employers reported a decrease in the total number of planned
hires for 2009, those still planning to hire college graduates fell only five
percentage points from 2008 (from 59 percent to 54 percent). However, that five
point drop is substantially smaller than the 17 percent drop reported by
employers last year with respect to graduate hiring plans (from 76 percent in
2007 to 59 percent in 2008).

"While the percentage of employers planning to hire college graduates in this
year`s MonsterTRAK Entry-Level Job Outlook has declined somewhat compared to
last year, it is encouraging that over half still plan to hire 2009 graduates,"
said Jesse Harriott, senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at
Monster. "However, because there is more competition for entry-level jobs
compared to years prior, graduates should do everything they can to stand out
among other job applicants in this challenging labor market environment."

Employers reported that although growth opportunities and job
fulfillment/interesting work remain important to graduates, they are, in the
current environment, re-emphasizing salary, job title, and benefits/time off. In
addition, relevant work experience gained 9 percentage points from last year,
while previous work experience grew by 8 percent, indicating that employers are
looking for candidates who can hit the ground running. Volunteer work also
gained ground as an attractive candidacy attribute, with 7 percent more of the
employers surveyed citing it as valuable experience.

College Grads Broadening their Horizons in Challenging Hiring Environment

Despite the fact that many employers do have hiring plans for 2009, graduates
reported feeling less confident in the current job market. According to the
survey, 92 percent of 2008 graduates believe it will take longer to find a job
and 58 percent are willing to consider a position outside their chosen field of
interest. Likewise, one-third (33 percent) of future graduates are worried about
their ability to secure a job (up from only 13 percent in 2008).

Faced with the reality of a challenging job market, graduates are spending more
time looking for work and are employing new tools and tactics in their job
search process.

* Twenty-seven percent of graduates expect to spend 16 hours or more per week on
job search activities (up from 15 percent last year)
* Family and friends were identified as the most useful method during a job
search (74 percent), followed by the use of large and niche job boards which
increased 10 and 11 percentage points from 2008 respectively.
* Also showing an increase in the usefulness of a job search are informational
interviews (47 vs. 41 percent), career coaches and counselors (45 vs. 40
percent), blogs (30 versus 22 percent), and the use of outplacement firms (27
vs. 18 percent).

Further, matching employer`s expectations, today`s grads are consciously looking
to gain additional skills, education and work experience to ensure they stand
out:

* Thirty-six percent are considering returning to school to earn higher degrees
prior to looking for a job
* Fifty-two percent of 2010 graduates plan to gain experience through a summer
internship in their filed of study. However, only 10 percent of employers are
expanding their internship programs this year.
* Forty-five percent of graduates have or plan to create an online profile,
compared to 23 percent last year

Given graduates` lack of confidence in the job market, many students choose to
move back in with their parents post graduation. In fact, 40 percent of 2008
graduates continue to live with their parents since graduation. The main reason
- money - 78 percent of those say limited financial resource is their
motivation.

"Graduates today are well aware of the challenges they face in a competitive job
market and what will set them apart is relevant job experience, transferable
skills and the ability to hit the ground running," said Harriott. "While
graduates` drop in confidence in the current job market this year is not
surprising, they need to keep in mind that there are plenty of good jobs out
there and that success will come to those who are flexible, tenacious and
demonstrate they can add real value for a prospective employer."

The research was commissioned by MonsterTRAK and surveyed 1,567 college seekers
(2008 graduates and those expecting to graduate over the next four years) and
210 employers (who hire college graduate entry-level workers) across the U.S.

Click here to read the full report on The State of College Graduate Employment.

Survey Methodology

MonsterTRAK`s 2009 Entry-Level Job Outlook was conducted in 2009 via online
distribution to nationwide MonsterTRAK customer companies, as well as college
students. The results were recorded from 210 employers and 1,567 students (640
graduates from 2008 and 927 future graduates). This survey is not scientific and
reflects the opinions of only those internet users who have chosen to
participate.

About Monster Worldwide

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW), parent company of Monster, the premier
global online employment solution for more than a decade, strives to inspire
people to improve their lives. With a local presence in key markets in North
America, Europe, and Asia, Monster works for everyone by connecting employers
with quality job seekers at all levels and by providing personalized career
advice to consumers globally. Through online media sites and services, Monster
delivers vast, highly targeted audiences to advertisers. Monster Worldwide is a
member of the S&P 500 index. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading
products and services, visit www.monster.com. More information about Monster
Worldwide is available at http://corporate.monster.com.

Monster
Steve Sylven, 978-461-8503
steve.sylven@monster.com
or
Ketchum for Monster
Annie Godwin, 646-935-4168
annie.godwin@ketchum.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009