IT Drops from Top Position, Sales, Accounting and Clerical Still Strong

PHILADELPHIA — November 10, 2008 — Beyond.com, Inc., the world’s largest network of niche career communities, released its Third Quarter 2008 Career Trend Analysis and Industry Outlook Reports, which analyze and report employment trends across more than 25 industries. Despite the failing economy, Healthcare & Medical jobs are on the rise and experienced a 2.66 percent increase over the past 12 months. In a time when many industries are declining as a result of the economic recession, the healthcare sector has become a driving force for local employment growth in many regions across the country, including Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas and Philadelphia.

Healthcare & Medical also gained the top spot of all online jobs posted across the Beyond.com Network in third quarter 2008 with 12.92 percent, surpassing Information Technology, the leading industry for the past six consecutive quarters. In fact, Information Technology experienced the largest decrease in jobs (1.09%) in the third quarter, but still ranked a close second in total jobs with 12.90 percent. Other top industries include: Sales (11.65%), Clerical (7.92%), and Accounting & Finance (7.07%).

Job growth in the healthcare industry may even be a side effect of the failing economy. Research has shown financial concerns during recessionary times often lead to increased stress, depression and mental illness that require treatment at a time when some people can’t afford health insurance or take preventative measures. These factors, in addition to the aging population, the ongoing nursing shortage and growth of outpatient services requires an increased number of healthcare professionals to keep up with the growing demands of the population.

“Although the healthcare industry has continued to thrive, the recession is beginning to take its toll on many industries across the country, causing a sharp decline in jobs and leaving many professionals to wonder when our economy will bounce back,” says Rich Milgram, CEO of Beyond.com, Inc. “According to a recent poll, with a newly elected president, job seekers expect change and are hopeful that the economy and job market will be revitalized to pull us out of the recession and keep the American economy strong.”

About Beyond.com, Inc.
Beyond.com is the world’s largest network of niche career communities, powering thousands of geographic and industry-specific sites. We are dedicated to helping business professionals, corporations and vertical communities connect with each other by providing relevant career search services, networking tools and portal software solutions. Beyond.com was named to Inc. Magazine’s prestigious ‘Inc. 500’ list of the fastest growing private companies and is a Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE: SFE) partner company. www.Beyond.com. Visit our recruitment blog at www.EmploymentMetrix.com.