Delhi-NCR tops in fresher job postings at 21%, Bengaluru at 14%: Foundit

Delhi-NCR has the highest share of job postings for freshers at 21%, followed by Bengaluru at 14%, according to data released from foundit, formerly known as Monster APAC & ME. Major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, and Hyderabad each account for 8% of fresher hiring. Regarding salary brackets for freshers, those in the IT software and hardware sectors earn the highest salaries, ranging from ₹4.07-7.49 lakh per annum (LPA).

The BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) sector follows with average salaries between ₹3.06-5.49 LPA. Other industries offering competitive salaries include automotive, engineering, FMCG, and food and packaged food industries, with average salaries ranging from ₹3.11-5.38 LPA.

Bengaluru offers the highest average fresher salary among major Indian cities at ₹4.16 LPA, followed by Mumbai (₹3.99 LPA), Delhi-NCR (₹3.89 LPA), Chennai (₹3.84 LPA), Pune (₹3.8 LPA), Kolkata (₹3.39 LPA), and Coimbatore (₹3.35 LPA), the data reveals.

Startups in IT services and the internet sector are leading in fresher hiring, with 23% and 22% of jobs targeted at new graduates, respectively. Although IT job openings declined in the January-March quarter, engineering graduates remain in high demand, making up 28% of startup jobs. Other positions being filled in startups include consultants (10%), sales/executive managers (4%), and operations executives/managers (4%).

The information technology (IT) and recruitment/staffing industries have the highest percentage of job postings for entry-level professionals, with over 32% and 12% of these jobs, respectively. The data, collected from May 2023 to May 2024, shows a 5% increase in demand for freshers over the past six months.

Software and hardware companies account for the highest share of entry-level positions at 32%. Other top areas hiring freshers include sales and business development (14%), human resources and administration (8%), healthcare (8%), and marketing and communications (8%). The IT, staffing, and BFSI industries particularly seek tech talent skilled in cloud computing, data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Additionally, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking are highly valued soft skills, the data states.

Reports indicate that IT companies, both in hardware and software sectors, are now more inclined to hire fresh graduates, marking a shift in hiring strategies in India. Previously, companies had focused on lateral placements, essentially poaching talent from competitors, due to a nearly year-long hiring freeze for new talent. This trend is reversing as companies restructure, adopt new technologies, optimise costs, enhance innovation, and scale operations.

Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, noted, "We’re seeing a clear trend where startups and other companies are increasingly valuing skills over just academic credentials. This shift means that young professionals need to focus on acquiring relevant skills to stand out in the competitive job market. To bridge this gap, there’s a pressing need for better learning and development initiatives within our educational system. At foundit, we’re committed to supporting this shift through various initiatives, including continuing with our annual virtual career fair for freshers and young professionals.”