Monster: Online Jobs Continue To RiseMonster: Online Jobs Continue To Rise

Results from Monster Worldwide's May online recruitment index show that online job availability is increasing or remaining stable at 24 of the 28 metro markets tracked by the employment services firm.

Reported Thursday, Monster's renewed Local Employment Index, with a baseline of 100, revealed that Cincinnati, Phoenix, and Portland each rose four points in May. On the short end were Indianapolis and Sacramento, each dropping three points.

Overall, the index painted a positive picture. "The May findingsshow continued strength in online recruitment activity across the majority of top U.S. metro areas, with encouraging demand for workers in key industries such as healthcare, sales, and production," said Steve Pogorzelski, group president, International, Monster Worldwide, in a statement.

"While 12 markets showed little to no movement in May, most market remained at their highest levels to date, holding steady at elevated positions after the strong gains registered during the first four months of the year. Overall, the findings provide further evidence that employers in the nation's biggest cities continue to actively hire new workers."

Adding two points in the Monster index were Boston, Houston, Kansas City, and Seattle, while a single point advance was recorded for Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Minneapolis, and San Diego. Baltimore and Cleveland each decreased by a single point.

Monster found that recruitment activity edged higher for positions in arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media; and that activity indicated there is a strong demand for marketing, advertising, and other creative positions.

Extending recent trends, recruitment activity for healthcare support jobs rose in 22 of the 28 markets. Monster said the category will likely continue to be strong because of shortages in health-related positions like nursing, as well as for respiratory and occupational therapists.