India Sees 3% Monthly Rise In Hiring: foundit Traker

According to foundit tracker, the overall hiring index increased by 3 per cent from February to March 2024, indicating a slight uptick in hiring activity. However, compared to the previous year, hiring declined by 4 per cent, suggesting a slower pace of recruitment.

White-collar gig jobs, in particular, have experienced remarkable growth, with a staggering 184 per cent increase compared to the previous year. This surge underscores professionals’ growing preference for flexible, project-based work arrangements. Additionally, gig workers, representing a vital workforce segment, have expanded by 21 per cent over the same period, highlighting companies’ increasing reliance on freelancers and independent contractors to meet business needs.

Delving into specific industries, the IT sector is at the forefront of this gig boom. The share of IT software in the gig economy has nearly doubled, jumping from 22 per cent in March 2023 to a dominant 46 per cent in March 2024. This indicates a strong demand for skilled freelance coders, IT consultants, and other tech professionals. Advertising and marketing also witnessed significant growth, with the share of gig jobs increasing from 5% to 18% over the past year.

Offering a hiring overview for March 2024, Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, said, “One of the biggest learnings of the pandemic for employers as well as the employees has been the adoption of WFH and flexible models of working. Through our tracker, we have noticed that the metro cities of Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai are paving the way for gig jobs. It is imperative to understand that the gig economy offers businesses a cost-effective solution, while also providing freedom to work from anywhere to employees. We expect the gig economy to grow even more in the next few months, so it's prudent for job seekers to equip themselves with relevant skills that will make them standout in a competitive market.”    

Education, Telecom/ISP, and Energy Sectors Lead Job Growth while Automotive and Shipping Industries Face Headwinds

The Information Technology (IT) sector, a cornerstone of India’s economy, saw a marginal decline from 7 per cent growth in February to 2 per cent in March. This shift could indicate adjustments in demand or market conditions within the industry. In contrast, the BPO/ITES industry witnessed a notable turnaround, rebounding from a 4per cent decline in February to a positive 2 per cent growth in March.

Meanwhile, the Banking/Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector reported stagnant growth, maintaining a 0 per cent growth rate in March, suggesting a period of consolidation or stability within the industry. The Manufacturing sector, comprising Engineering, Cement, Construction, Iron/Steel, and Production and Manufacturing, demonstrated mixed trends.

While Engineering, Cement, Construction, and Iron/Steel maintained a steady growth rate of 0 per cent in March, Production and Manufacturing experienced a slight decline from six per cent to five per cent, reflecting fluctuations in industrial output or demand.

In contrast, the Education sector showed signs of improvement. The industry witnessed a revival in hiring activity, transitioning from no growth in February to a positive two per cent in March. The Telecom/ISP industry emerged as a significant growth driver, surging from two per cent in February to an impressive six per cent in March, possibly due to increased connectivity demands or advancements in telecommunications infrastructure. Additionally, the Oil/Gas/Petroleum and Power sectors exhibited robust growth, expanding from seven per cent to eight per cent in March, signaling resilience and potential opportunities within the energy sector. Healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology also displayed signs of recovery, with growth climbing from -3 per cent to a positive three per cent.

Further, the Government, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and Defence sectors experienced a slight uptick in hiring activity, with growth from zero to one per cent. However, the Automotive industry faced challenges in March, with hiring in the Automotive, Ancillary, and Tyre sectors reaching a standstill, dropping from three per cent to zero per cent. The Shipping and Marine industry witnessed a concerning decline, with hiring growth plummeting to -12 per cent.

Moreover, the Advertising, Market Research and PR sectors further declined from -2% to -3 per cent, while Travel & Tourism hiring dropped from four to two per cent, reflecting potential seasonal uncertainties. Several other sectors, including Chemicals/Plastics (-10 per cent), FMCG, Food & Packaged Food (-6 per cent), Garments/Textiles (-8 per cent), and Real Estate (-3 per cent) experienced significant slowdowns in March.

IT Powerhouses Thrive: Bangalore and Hyderabad Drive 5% Surge in Hiring Activity

Bangalore, a key tech hub, continued its upward trajectory, with hiring activity surging from 3 per cent in February to a robust 5 per cent in March. Similarly, Hyderabad, another prominent IT centre, exhibited positive momentum. After stagnant growth at 0 per cent in February, hiring in the city picked up significantly, registering a notable 5% growth in March.

India’s financial capital, Mumbai, maintained a flat hiring growth, with the rate holding steady at one per cent for March. Delhi-NCR mirrored this stability with a consistent two per cent growth rate. Pune, renowned for manufacturing and automobiles, also demonstrated stability, with hiring activity hovering around two per cent in March.

Kolkata, with a strong services sector, showcased signs of improvement. After a two per cent decline in February, hiring activity bounced -ack to a positive three per cent growth in March. Chennai also experienced an upward trend, with hiring growth in the city increasing from one to three per cent in March.

Ahmedabad, a bustling commercial and industrial centre, witnessed a decline in hiring activity. The city’s growth rate, which stood at two per cent in February, dropped to -1% in March. Conversely, Chandigarh declined further with -3% in March. After a strong showing of four per cent growth in February, Coimbatore saw a slight dip to three per cent in March. Jaipur displayed a minor uptick, with hiring growth from zero per cent in February to one per cent in March. Baroda’s growth rate, which was flat at 0% in February, dropped to -2% in March. Meanwhile, Kochi displayed signs of revival, with hiring growth climbing from -3% in February to a promising two per cent in March.

Technical Positions Hold Steady, Customer-Facing Roles Face Downturn

Software, Hardware, and Telecom positions continued steadily, with a flat two per cent growth in March, mirroring February’s numbers. However, customer-facing roles like Customer Service, Sales & Business Development, and Hospitality & Travel saw a clear decline.

Customer Service positions dipped from -2% to -3% growth in March, while Sales & Business Development hiring dropped from 0% to -3%. Hospitality & Travel, which had been experiencing robust growth (8% in February), took a sharp hit, with hiring activity plummeting to -5% in March. It's important to note that this sharp decline may be just a temporary dip, likely due to the need to re-strategise hiring efforts for newer roles in response to changing market conditions. The Engineering & Production sector also faced a setback, with hiring growth declining from 2% to -3% in March.

This could be indicative of a slowdown in project execution or production activity. Interestingly, Senior Management roles showed further growth, with a six per cent increase in March. This consistent growth suggests a continued demand for experienced leaders across various industries. The Healthcare sector emerged as a bright spot. Hiring for Healthcare roles grew from a modest one per cent in February to a promising five per cent in March. Similarly, Legal and Arts/Creative roles also saw slight uptick in hiring activity, with both sectors registering one per cent growth in March.

Meanwhile, Finance & Accounts and HR & Admin faced declining hiring activity. Finance & Accounts saw a drop from 1% to -3%, while HR & Admin roles, which experienced a significant server per cent growth in February, declined to (-1%) in March.

The Purchase & Logistics function within the broader Purchase/ Logistics/ Supply Chain category slightly improved, with hiring growth moving from -4% to -1% in March. However, the Supply Chain domain seems to be facing headwinds, suggesting potential disruptions or adjustments within the logistics industry.

High Demand for Gig Work: Coder/IT Consultant and Content Creator Roles Lead the Way

In March 2024, Coder/IT consultant positions were the most sought-after roles in gig work, making up 30% of the job market, a significant rise from 12 per cent the previous year.  Content Creator and Trainer roles saw notable growth as well, with their shares jumping fromnie to 17 per cent and from 11% to 15%, respectively. Meanwhile, Data Analysts and UX Designers held a steady 8% market share, highlighting a consistent demand for their skills in the gig economy.

Regarding hiring locations, Delhi/NCR emerges as the top destination, commanding a 23% share of jobs in March 2024. Mumbai and Bengaluru follow closely behind, each accounting for a 17% share, highlighting their continued prominence as key job markets. Chennai and Hyderabad hold a 13% share each, underscoring the growing opportunities in these southern cities. Pune, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad also contribute to the job market, with Pune accounting for an 8% share, Kolkata for 6%, and Ahmedabad for 5%, showcasing the geographical diversity of job opportunities across India.

Source: foundit Insights Tracker

Considering salary trends, a significant proportion of gig workers, accounting for 31%, falls within the 6-10 Lacs salary range, indicating a substantial segment of individuals earning a moderate income through gig work. This challenges conventional notions of gig employment being inherently unstable or low paying, suggesting instead a growing landscape of opportunities that offer financial stability to a significant portion of workers.

The tracker further reveals that approximately 21% of gig workers earn 10-15 Lacs, highlighting a balanced income distribution across different skill levels and experiences. In contrast, the 3-6 Lacs salary range comprises about 25% of gig workers, indicating a sizeable segment engaged in entry-level positions. Moving up the income spectrum, only 11% of gig workers fall within the 15-25 Lacs salary range. This may be attributed to the specialised skills or experience required for higher-paying gigs or the limited availability of such opportunities within the gig economy.

The tracker also shows that about 12% of gig workers earn between 0-3 Lacs. While these individuals may engage in entry-level or low-paying gigs, it is essential to recognise that this category often serves as a starting point for many gig workers, providing them with valuable experience and opportunities for growth within the gig economy.