comScore, Inc. released a study of trends in usage of French online career services sites, based on data from the comScore World Metrix audience measurement service. A total of 11.5 million French Internet users accessed a careers services and development site in May 2009, up 45 percent versus year ago, presumably driven in large part by the effects of the global financial crisis.

Pole-emploi.fr is France’s Most Visited Careers Site

Of the total 11.5 million French Internet users who visited a careers site in May 2009, 33.5 percent visited Pole-emploi.fr. The government-owned careers agency grew 63 percent versus year ago to 3.9 million visitors, making it France’s most popular careers property in May. Groupe Vocatis ranked second with 1.3 million visitors, followed by Trovit France Jobs (1.1 million visitors) and Keljob Sites (1 million visitors).



*Excludes Internet activity from public computers such as Internet cafes or access from mobile phones or PDAs.**As of May 2009 includes traffic from ANPE Sites.
***Growth driven in part by several URL additions.

“The effects of the global financial crisis have resulted in millions of new people on the job market and many of those who remain employed are preparing for the worst,” said Delphine Gatignol, comScore Business Development Manager for France. “Career sites represent an invaluable resource during these times, putting opportunities in front of job seekers or providing helpful tips for surviving the downturn. As the economy in France eventually recovers and employment levels bounce back, we can expect that career sites will have played a vital role.”

Careers Category Climbs as Economy Worsens

Prior to the onset of the global financial crisis, traffic to the careers category remained fairly flat in France, and actually dipped to its lowest point of the past year in August 2008 with a total 6.7 million visitors during the month. However, following the stock-market turmoil and the media frenzy that ensued, visitation jumped 37 percent in September to 9.2 million visitors – the highest monthly increase during the past year. Traffic dipped again slightly to 9.7 million visitors in December as workers settled in for the winter and turned their attention to the Christmas season. With the beginning of 2009 seeing the biggest stock market declines since 2001, visitation to careers sites quickly rose again in January and climbed to its highest point of 12.6 million in April, following the nationwide labor strikes the month prior..



*Excludes Internet activity from public computers such as Internet cafes or access from mobile phones or PDAs.