The September 2024 quarter has witnessed a 10% increase in hiring activity for white-collar jobs, with 80% employers actively recruiting to fill critical roles and adapt to evolving workforce expectations, according to the latest report from hiring platform Indeed.
Indeed Hiring Tracker said that the September 2024 quarter saw 42% of job seekers looking for a new job. Also, 42% of job seekers cited flexible working hours as a key reason for exploring new opportunities, while 56% wanted better pay and another 47% were looking for career advancement.
“Flexible work hours and career advancement are reshaping the priorities of India’s white-collar workforce. For job seekers, flexibility has become a non-negotiable factor when choosing new roles. Employers, eager to attract and retain top talent, are transforming traditional work models to meet these demands,” the tracker said.
In white collar segment, IT remains a primary area of focus with 27% of employers hiring in this field. Sales roles are also in high demand (23%), as well as positions in production and manufacturing (19%).
Specialised roles are seeing increased attention with data analysts (25%), project managers (19%) and sales and marketing managers (18%) among the most sought-after positions.
“Digital transformation and business expansion are fueling demand for skilled professionals. Employers are prioritising talent who can innovate, adapt, and lead during a period of rapid change,” said Sashi Kumar, head of sales at Indeed India.
In terms of skills, the tracker said that data analysis leads the demand for tech skills with 35% of employers actively hiring for roles involving SQL, Excel, and Python expertise. Cybersecurity is another high-priority area with 29% of employers seeking specialists in encryption and network security.
“As digital services expand, protecting sensitive data has become a top concern. Cloud computing skills are also in demand with 23% of companies hiring professionals with expertise in platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP to manage and optimise digital infrastructure,” the tracker said.
Alongside technical skills, employers are increasingly prioritising soft skills. Teamwork and collaboration (57%) are the most valued followed by communication skills (51%), and critical thinking and problem-solving abilities (43%).