Demand continued to decline in professional, scientific, and technical services sectors. Food preparation recorded a slight increase, while only farming, fishing and forestry, and healthcare practitioners and technical maintained positive growth for the year.

Year-on-year, the index is now down 22%, with US online job availability at its lowest level since 2004.

Elsewhere, Monster announced the appointment of T.L McCreary as president of Military.com and vice president, Monster Worldwide.

In his new global role, McCreary will take charge of the Military.com division of Monster Worldwide, the nation’s largest military and veteran online membership organisation.