Your Detailed Guide to Job Search in India in 2024

The job market is quite active at the moment, however, finding a job is always a hassle. Well, here’s a detailed guide to job search in India in 2024.

The whole job market scenario in India has undergone manifold. From how people look out for jobs; the way employers hire to the myriad of opportunities available out there in the market, everything has changed.

Earlier in India, job search in India would mostly be about the public or government sector. This could be because people earlier considered government jobs to be more secure. Job safety was on the top of the list. If anyone got a job in a government organization, they would probably not leave it before retirement. Switching jobs was not the norm. Nor was becoming an entrepreneur. In the past couple of decades, the whole thinking process surrounding jobs, the way the job market operates, the approach, the expectations everything has taken a shift. The job search in India has reformed.

It is a known fact that India is considered a young country and a developing economy. As per the reportYouth in India 2017 by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, the Government of India, India was expected to have a youth population of 34.33% by the end of 2020. Also, as per World Bank data, the labor force participation rate(% of total population ages 15+) of India, stands at 47.98%. Both the above data show the potential our country holds in terms of manpower availability.

With the expansion of world-class businesses in India, the growth of small and medium-sized firms, and the emergence of the startup trend, the need for skilled manpower has increased even more. However, with the pandemic hitting our lives really hard, the job market was one of the worst affected. In many cases people lost their current jobs, leave alone finding a new one. LinkedIn India- Labor Market Update (September 2020) showed that with the reopening of the businesses, the hiring process has begun but with a higher competition level compared to the previous year. Thus, finding your correct job might surely be a challenge but not impossible.

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Where can you search for the job?

Job search in India traditionally was done through references and newspapers. But, at times there has been quite a shift in the manner people lookout for jobs. Some of the options are mentioned below.

Newspapers:This was the most basic method to find a job until the internet became the norm. However, newspapers still are considered a popular form to reach out to the candidates. A Walk- In job openings are mostly given out through newspapers.
References: Getting through a job or an interview through contacts of your friends and relatives are usually called references.
Placement agencies:Placement agencies line up an interview depending on the qualifications and skill set the candidate possesses and the requirement of the employer. They usually charge a fee for their services.
Companies career page:A company’s website usually has a career page. Most companies update their career page as per their recruitment requirement. Going through a company’s career page is a good habit if you are in line with their ideology and the work culture, and their role opening suits your skills and qualifications.
Online portals: Online portals are the most common way of job search in India. Portals like Monster.com, Naukri.com, Timesjob.com are some of the most common ones. Few portals focus on particular segments of job seekers too. For example, Jobsforher.com and Hersecondinnings.com cater to only women and Freshersworld.com for freshers.
Social media:Everybody these days is connected through social media. You can use this opportunity to expand your job search in India. The most common social media site for professionals is LinkedIn. You can create your profile on LinkedIn and search and apply for jobs. You can come across other people who are currently working in that company. It’s like a professional social media site. Another way to leverage your job search is through Facebook. You are connected with a lot of people on Facebook which can help you in finding a job.

Some of the Best Job Sites in India

We have come a long way from solely depending to find a job through newspapers and referrals. Job searches in India these days are commonly searched using online portals. Below are a few of the best job sites in India that you could apply through.

1.Monster.com:Monster.com is more than a 25-year-old company having its presence globally. It is a market leader in the recruiting world. Monster.com started its operation in India in 2001 and is one of the most sought-after job portals in the country.

Benefits of searching for jobs through online portals and social media

Job search in India is mainly done through online portals and social media for these benefits:

Common platform: Online platforms and social media act as a common platform for both, recruiters as well as job seekers. For job seekers, once you register and provide your CV and other details, the portals start suggesting to you the jobs that match your profile. The recruiters too connect you directly when they find your profile useful.
Easy registration:Registration on online portals is a no-fuss activity. You need to just fill up a form with basic details and you are good to go.
Paid or unpaid service: Most of the online job portals don’t charge any fee from the job seeker for their basic service. However, if you wish to avail of any of their add-on services you might be charged.
Additional tools and services:Apart from finding you a job, job portals also provide various other services like building your resume, tips for interviews, and other tools related to attaining the job. Some of their services may be chargeable.
Mobile Application: Studies show that most people search or apply for a job from their mobile phones. Thus, these days, online portals are also available as a mobile app. So, you need not log in to your laptop every time to get any updates.

How to search or apply for jobs through online portals

Applying or searching for jobs on online portals is a fuss-free and paperless task. Job search in India follows more or less a standard format if you apply through an online portal.

The first step before searching for a job is to get your resume and a basic cover letter ready. The resume should be clear, updated, and specific. Having a basic cover letter handy is an added advantage. You can fine-tune it as per the company requirement while applying for the job.
Register yourself and create a profile on an online portal.
Fill correct details in your profile. The recruiters would connect with you based on the profile created by you.
Once you have created your profile you may now search for jobs using the correct keywords.
Based on your profile the portal would suggest some job openings too.
Apply for the particular job opening. Make sure you include a Cover Letter.
If the recruiter is interested in your profile, you would get a callback or an email. Then the further process begins like providing some additional information, appearing for an employment test (if any), and/or an interview.
It is very important to always keep your profile updated.

Dos and Don’ts while searching or applying for a job online

If you job-search in India, it’s more likely that the stress levels would be a bit higher. However, if you avoid some of the common mistakes that people usually make while searching and applying for jobs online, you would be in a comparatively better position. Below are a few dos and don’ts that can help you along your way.

Do’s

1. Understand what kind of job you want. Even before you start searching, you should know what exactly you are looking for. You should be clear in your head about the vital decision that you take up relating to the kind of job, industry, or organization.

2. Utilize your connection. Maintaining and creating a network is the first and important step. Visibility is important.

3. Keep all your materials and social profiles updated. In this time of technology, employers cross-check for details through their social media account. Make sure everything is in sync.

4. Use proper keywords while searching for a job. Narrow down your job search based on your interest, location, and other criteria.

5. Highlight your key skills and accomplishments. Apart from qualification and experience employers lookout for some basic set of skills while hiring. The skills you possess should be highlighted well so that they don’t miss the employer’s eyes.

6. Be specific while building your profile, resume, and cover letter. Spend some time creating an impressive resume and cover letter.

7. Apply even if you feel you aren’t a 100% match to the job profile.

8. Stay well versed with the industry norms. Do some basic research about the job profile, company, and industry.

Don’ts

1. Don’t underestimate the power of social media.

2. Don’t give incomplete or false details in your profile or resume.

3 Don’t make a boring and lengthy resume. Make it readable with pointers and proper spacing.

4. Don’t overstate your skills. Try and stay genuine.

5. Don’t be overconfident on your first job application. It is highly difficult to get a job overnight.

6. Don’t follow up too often. It is good to reach out to the recruiter to show your interest in the specified job. But don’t bother them a lot.

7. Don’t ignore a recruiter’s call. In case you missed it, give them a call back as soon as possible.

8. Don’t stop learning. Even if you are job hunting, it’s always a good thing to keep learning and preparing yourself for the upcoming situation.

9. Don’t give up so soon. If you are unsuccessful in the initial attempt, do not lose hope.

Key skills employers look for in a candidate

When you do a job search in India, just your qualifications, knowledge or experience isn’t always enough. In fact, many a time a highly qualified candidate loses out to an average qualified one. There are a few sets of skills that every employer expects in their candidate. These skills can give you an edge over others and make you more marketable to the recruiters.

Communication:This skill is required and is important in almost any job that you look out for. The ability to communicate successfully through an oral or written form is a highly required skill to possess.
Teamwork: Employers always look for candidates who can be team players. As a company is not a one-man army and is an effort of the entire team, an additional member should be the one who builds up a team stronger. You should possess the ability to work with a variety of people.
Leadership:Many employers look for leadership skills in some specific roles. Leadership skills may be used to lead or motivate a team to complete a given task.
Interpersonal:Interpersonal skill means the way a person interacts with others. This skill is specifically needed for positions that have to tackle customers directly. However, this skill is also very useful to interact with colleagues that can help to build a healthy working relationship.
Learnability: In any of the skill-required sections mentioned by the recruiter/ employer, they always mention that the candidate should be adaptive and ready to learn. The adaptiveness and readiness to continuous learning act as a long-term benefit both for the employer and the job seeker.
Self-management:Employers expect that the candidates are matured enough to manage their time and be productive. Prioritizing in-hand tasks is an important aspect.
Problem-solving:Problem-solving or analytical skill is very important. In any given job, you are not expected to keep asking for solutions for minor glitches. Problem-solving skills will speed up your task and make you more professional.
Self-motivation:Employers prefer candidates who are self-motivated and have a positive attitude. In a corporate environment, competition is high and thus having a negative outlook towards work, or being demotivated is reflected in one’s work.
Computer literacy:We live in an age where technological literacy is an important part of almost all jobs. Computer literacy refers to the comfort level you have with digital systems, online research, and other apps. Also, the grasping power in terms to learn industry or company-specific software is vital.

Job opportunities as per various research

For job search in India in the coming year, further data may be quite useful for you in terms of opportunities that are available.

India has predominantly been an agricultural economy. But, in the past few years, the service and manufacturing sectors have gained importance. Their contribution to the country’s GDP has also increased. While most of the country’s workforce is still employed under agriculture and allied activities, the service sector generates most of the GDP. As per the report, agriculture constituted 42.39% of the total workforce in the country in 2019, whereas, service and industry sectors constituted 32.04% and 25.58% respectively.

Now, if you compare the same distribution of workforce vis a vis their GDP contribution then, agriculture contributed to about 15.96% of the total GDP whereas, services and industry sector contributed to about 49.88% and 24.88% of the total GDP respectively in 2019. India’s IT sector plays a vital part in the growth of the country. So, collectively, services and manufacture are responsible for almost 75% of India’s GDP contribution. This shows the number of job opportunities these two sectors hold.

Based on the size of the organization:

As per the data, organizations are classified into 3 categories based on the number of employees. From 10-49 employees are termed as small size; 50-249 employees as medium size and more than 250 employees as large size organizations. The small and medium-size organizations have a positive employment outlook of around 6%, whereas, large-size organizations see an employment outlook of around 7%.

Based on the sector:

Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate: Employers from these sectors expect an 11% positive outlook for the next quarter. This is 3% more than the previous quarter and 5% more compared to the first quarter of 2020.
Manufacturing: Employers from this sector anticipate an 8% increase in their hiring process.
Mining and Construction: The hiring environment from this sector show a moderate 6% positive outlook for the next quarter.
With just a 2% positive outlook, this sector is expected to have a drop of around 6% as compared to both the previous quarter as well as Q1 of 2020.
Services: Job seekers can expect around a 6% increase in hiring level in the service sector. This number is quite encouraging considering the difficulties the sector has faced in recent times.
Transportation and Utilities: The sector shows a 3% increase in hiring prospects for the next quarter.

In-demand jobs for 2024(compiled from the articles from Deccan Herald and India Today)

The year 2020 has been a difficult and very different one from the previous years. There have been changes in the way we live; we work and we socialize. Specifically, in terms of jobs, technology has been a frontrunner for quite a few years now, but how it spread its wings this year is unimaginable. Job search in India originates from the demand for that particular job. Thus, there have been few jobs that were high in demand throughout the pandemic and will stay in the year to come. They are mainly from the healthcare and technology sector. Some of them are listed below.

Doctors and Medical Professionals
Cyber Security Expert
Data Analyst
Cloud Engineer
Artificial Intelligence Expert
Product Manager

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Final Word

In India, taking career-related decisions has never been easy. With the changing dynamics of the job markets and work culture, traditional job profiles have given way to more refined ones. Thus, the whole process of selecting the right career path; searching for the right job, and getting your dream job is very vital these days. So, when you plan to job search in India, remember; focus on what you want while searching for a job and focus on what the employer wants while applying for it.

Your Detailed Guide to Job Search in India in 2024 - IIM SKILLS (2024)