Job Seekers Trying To Upskill Themselves To Be In Contention

Movements in the Indian job market were nothing to write home about throughout the last year as the labour market was sluggish for job seekers, across specialisation. In fact, job search turned out to be harder and more challenging even as searches for new jobs are still underway, a trend that is likely to continue or even grow this year. One can understand the magnitude of this problem when we consider that over 82 per cent (that is, four in five) professionals in India plan to look for a new job this year.

There are ample reasons for this change in their mindset. Not surprisingly, over 55 per cent of them admit that job search had actually become tougher in the entire 2024. At least that’s what the latest research by LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, suggests. Admittedly, nothing can give a clearer picture of the ground-realities than their findings from the massive data they procured during a nationwide survey. IN the meanwhile, there is another side and another twist in the story. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Indian HR professionals feel it has become more challenging to find qualified talent for any specific role, signalling a necessary shift in the way professionals will need to apply and end up getting a job in 2025.

Of course, presently, the job market is tough and that is a reminder for Indians to take a more thoughtful approach to their job search. Building the right skills is among the keys as a solution, and so is updating one’s LinkedIn profile on a constant basis while focusing on roles that truly match with their skills and strengths. After all, delivery and productivity will be the benchmarks for any professional to survive in the organisation.

Being more strategic and deliberate can reward you with new opportunities and meaningful career growth even in a challenging job market. Interestingly, many professionals are applying for as many jobs as possible, but this strategy isn’t effective. In fact, 49 per cent of job seekers are applying to more jobs than ever before, but getting no fruitful responses. Recruiters are also finding the process increasingly challenging. Over one-fourth (27 per cent) of HR professionals spend between three and five hours a day reviewing applications and 55 per cent say that less than half the applications that they receive meet all the criteria, going by the LinkedIn research.

Three out of five professionals say that they are open to a role in a new industry or area, and 39 per cent plan to learn new skills this year to that they can be in the reckoning for new opportunities. In fact, there has been a 140 per cent increase in the pace at which LinkedIn members add new skills to their profile since 2022.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to drive up the value of skills as it becomes relevant to every job in the future and woven into most tasks, according to LinkedIn’s just-released ‘Work Change Report’. The bottom line is that the search for new jobs must go on, no matter how difficult and challenging that search process may be. Patience is the buzzword for landing up a job that suits your strengths.