Trends in job placement in Europe and the effects of advances in information and communication technologies on job placement practices were examined through case studies of France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The case studies revealed that the market shares of public employment services (PES) are generally higher than those of private employment services in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In the Netherlands, however, the market share of private employment services, especially temporary work agencies, may have already overtaken that of PES. Significant empirical discrepancies emerged from the comparison of PES market shares in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The gross performance indicators of PES have shown improvement over time, which suggests that essential changes within the PES have occurred. Especially in France and the United Kingdom, greater customer satisfaction with PES and the provision of more comprehensive high-quality services have led to considerable gains in efficiency. The restructuring of enterprises and its impact on personnel management are requiring new forms of service from PES and private employment services. The rapid evolution of information and communication technologies is also having a significant impact on placement services. (Contains 21 tables/figures and 35 references.) (MN)