Part-Time, Temporary and Small Business Jobs Experience Growth in Fourth Quarter of 2009

PHILADELPHIA — February 3, 2010 — In the wake of President Obama’s proposal to provide more loans and tax credits to small businesses to promote jobs, Beyond.com, Inc., the world’s largest network of niche career communities, today issued its Q4 2009 Career Trend Analysis Report indicating that small businesses continue to serve as the backbone of the United States economy.

According to the report, which gathers information across thousands of top-tier industry and local career sites, the largest majority of newly registered employers in Q4 2009 were companies with fewer than 10 employees with 31.94 percent, up from 27.25 percent last quarter.  Additionally, more than 55 percent of employers who registered with Beyond.com in Q4 2009 had 50 employees or less, an indicator that small companies are continuing to lead the pack in terms of hiring.

According to the GDP Report released by The Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. economy grew at the fastest pace in more than six years during Q4 2009 – providing hope that the recession may be nearing an end.  While the economic recovery is beginning to gain strength, job growth is clearly lagging.  In 2009, not a single industry was able to sustain steady, incremental growth quarter over quarter according to Beyond.com.  Sectors such as Healthcare and IT, which have proved to be resilient throughout the recession, even experienced a slight dip in jobs over the past quarter.

 “The government incentives for hiring couldn’t come at a better time, as we are beginning to see employers test the waters in terms of hiring again,” said Rich Milgram, CEO of Beyond.com, Inc. “In Q4 2009, Beyond.com recognized a 4.52 percent increase in part-time positions, which is not surprising since this option provides less financial commitment to employers in uncertain economic times.  As the economy continues to strengthen and small businesses begin to stabilize, companies can finally start reinvesting in themselves, providing more opportunities to get Americans back to work.”

To view the complete Career Trend Analysis Report and Industry Outlook Reports, please visit http://www.Beyond.com/Media/QuarterlyReports.asp.

About Beyond.com, Inc.
Beyond.com is the world’s largest network of niche career communities, providing access to thousands of top-tier industry and local web sites. Our career search services and networking tools enable job seekers and employers to create targeted connections across thousands of online communities. We deliver a one-of-a-kind recruitment solution that provides the targeted exposure of a specialized job board, reinforced by the breadth and volume of a larger career network. Beyond.com was named to Inc. Magazine’s prestigious ‘Inc. 500’ list and is a Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE: SFE) portfolio company. www.Beyond.com.