The Monster Employment Index fell eight points in May, bringing to an end a three-month upward trend in U.S. online recruitment activity.

The index showed that the sales and transportation sectors have continued on a downward trend, but the utilities industry continues to perform well and there has been an increase in the demand for managers online.

With a sharp decline in online recruitment in May, the index is now 12% below its level a year-ago, marking the fifth consecutive month that the index has shown a year-on-year decline.