Monster Global Poll Reveals Nearly 90 Percent of Job Seekers Surveyed Would Consider a Career Change in Order to Find Work

Spanish workers most willing to switch careers; U.S., German and Czech Republic poll participants, least likely to seek Job Changes

MAYNARD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 28, 2009-- A recent Global poll conducted by Monster [1] indicated 89 percent of job seekers surveyed across Europe, the U.S [2]. and Canada [3] would consider an industry job change in their search for new employment during this present economic climate. Forty-nine percent of those polled globally on Monster are actively seeking a change of career direction, while 11 percent would consider a job change due to lack of jobs in their current industry. Monster [4]® is a leading global online career and recruitment resource and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW).

The Monster Global poll asked 22,444 visitors to its sites across Europe, the U.S. and Canada, “Would you consider a job in another industry?” Just over 47 percent of the survey respondents were from the U.S., while the remaining 53 percent of respondents were from Europe, dominated by France [5], Germany [6] and Spain [7]. The key findings were:

• Yes, I've been wanting to make a career change – 49% (10,975 votes)
• Sure, my current industry is suffering in this economy – 18% (3,921 votes)
• Maybe, I need to take the first job I can get – 22% (4,994 votes)
• No, I would not consider taking a job in another industry at this time – 11% (2,554 votes)

Interestingly, of those willing to make a career change, nearly half (49%) had been considering making a move, compared to 18 percent who are pondering a move because their current industry is suffering. More telling, nearly one quarter of job seekers (22%) would be willing to take the first job they are offered, regardless if it’s within their current industry or not.

Internationally, Spanish workers are the most willing to make an industry job change, with 92 percent indicating they would switch careers. Forty-four percent of the respondents in Spain feel more pressure than other respondents (23 percent or less in all other participating countries) to take the first job they can get.

Workers in Switzerland [8] and Austria [9] appear to be most willing to experience a new job industry, with 67 percent of the Swiss poll participants, and 69 percent of the Austrian workers actively considering a career change, outside of any economic pressures.

Survey results also indicate a very low proportion of respondents were unwilling to try a different path. Fourteen percent of U.S. workers were the least likely to seek a career change, and are not currently planning to look outside their respective industries for employment opportunities.

Twelve percent or less of participating poll respondents in most of the other countries felt this way as well.

“Changing careers, especially during difficult economic times, can be an empowering decision. Those struggling to find employment in their current industry could use this time to consider pursuing their passions or think about retraining,” said Norma Gaffin, director of content for Monster.com. “The current economic climate may have forced the hand of many jobseekers, and for anyone looking to make a career change, Monster provides Career tools like Career Mapping [10], to help guide seekers with advice on how to understand their options and build a career path.”

Following on the heels of its highly successful Keep America Working [11] Tour launch in the U.S., Monster Europe introduced Keep Europe Working [12] with a series of career fairs across key European markets. The Keep Europe Working Tour kicked off in France [13] and the Netherlands [14] in June, and will continue throughout Europe with fairs in Germany [15], the United Kingdom [16], Italy [17], Belgium [18], Sweden [19], Poland [20], Austria [21] and Switzerland [22] throughout September and October. Monster is working with a number of key European employers as well as its broad base of local partners across Europe to drive the availability of employment opportunities at each event. Unlike traditional career fairs, the Keep Europe Working Tour events feature live Career Advice [23] Theater presentations, giving job seekers tips for job-hunting and interview preparation to help them stand out in a competitive job market.

The results of the current Monster Global Poll are based on votes cast by Monster visitors from: July 20^th – August 10^th. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. The Monster Global poll, a product of Monster^®, the leading global online careers website and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide Inc., is a series of online polls that gauge users’ opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy and the workplace. These polls are not scientific and reflect 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 [24]. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at http://about-monster.com [25].

Source: Monster Worldwide, Inc.

Monster.com
Kathy O’Reilly, 978-823-2002
Kathy.oreilly@monster.com [26]
or
Weber Shandwick Worldwide
Laura Woodward, +44 (0) 7894 193 887
lwoodward@webershandwick.com [27]