Monster Worldwide Inc.'s U.S. employment index fell seven points to a reading of 140 in December as is typical of year-end recruiting patterns, the company said. The reading is still up 10 points from its December 2010 level, indicating slow but steady growth in online recruitment.

“The index maintained a positive year-on-year growth trend, despite easing from November to December due to the typical slowdown in recruitment activity associated with the end of the calendar year,” said Jesse Harriott, senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at Monster. “Although indicators of economic activity within the trade and commerce sectors suggest economic growth continued in Q4, 2012 hiring plans in the context of the global economic uncertainty remain cautious.”

The index is based on a review of online job ads taken from a selection of websites, including Monster.com.