Monster Worldwide, Inc. (MWW), LinkedIn Corp (LNKD): Benefit From Those Looking For Jobs

In today’s still struggling economy, there are many who are seeking employment after being laid off or downsized. One of the best places to do so is via career-oriented websites such as Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:MWW). Although there are many potential opportunities listed on Monster.com, job seekers and shareholders alike may also strike gold in some other unlikely online domains, as well.

Providing employment solutions in non-traditional ways

Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:MWW) is a global employment website that offers both online and mobile employment solutions. The site operates with customers on a worldwide basis. Just some of the ways that Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:MWW) utilizes the Internet with its customers is via its flagship website as well as through a strong social-media presence and mobile applications.

Recently, in an effort to expand its growing adoption among enterprise companies and staffing firms, the company launched SeeMore in France- the very first semantic query and workforce-analytics recruitment platform in the market. This platform will essentially help in building relationships and managing talent that will ultimately help user companies in growing their businesses.

While Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:MWW)’s 2012 profit margins were in the negative figures (mostly due to one-time charges), the company did generate revenue just shy of $900 million and a return on equity roughly in the mid-single digits. Presently, Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:MWW)’s stock is trading very near its 52-week low, with analysts estimating a rise in share price of nearly 68% for the rest of this year. With a low EV/EBITDA ratio of less than 4, any position at current prices can provide a substantial growth opportunity for potential investors.

Branching out by standing out

Certainly, those who are in the job market realize that networking is one of the best ways to find new employment. This may be one reason for the many new members of LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD), an online professional networking site.

One of the key components of LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) is the company’s hiring solutions area that essentially enables companies and professional entities to find, contact, and hire qualified candidates for open positions. In addition, through its subscriptions area, LinkedIn enables employment recruiters and corporate hiring managers to network with potential job candidates.

Recently, LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) introduced a new feature on its site called LinkedIn Contacts, which enables the consolidation of a user’s contacts, notes, and conversations in one convenient place. The premise behind this feature is that it allows users to stay in better contact with their most important relationships.

LinkedIn is currently valued at roughly $20 billion. While it pays no dividend to its shareholders, the company’s share price is hovering very near its 52-week high. Yet, with lower-than-hoped-for earnings, analysts opinions are split between rating the shares as a Buy or a Hold.