Job market finds its groove

They are hiring again - and at all levels. After almost three consecutive quarters that saw a hiring freeze trend with selective hiring at best, recruiters across key sectors such as healthcare, consumer electronics, automobile and information technology (IT) are actively looking to increase their headcounts. Industry executives say mid-level hiring to hire managers with a few years of experience is the strongest sign yet of a recruitment rebound. Entry-level hires are also up. "Demand for both mid and entry-level recruitments has risen compared to six months ago, indicating companies across various sectors are looking for expansion," said Pramod Thilakan, executive director at the Executive Recruiters' Association. Domestic demand is aiding consumer electronics and automobile companies. Samsung India is recruiting middle and senior marketing professionals, though company officials did not give numbers. Rival LG plans to hire 250 to 300 people in the next six to seven months. "Our focus is on strategic products and we plan to hire experienced professionals for sales and marketing functions," said Yasho V. Verma, HR director at LG Electronics India. Some 30 per cent of Maruti Suzuki's 700 planned hires will be senior and middle recruits and the remainder will be fresh engineers. "Salaries offered are higher than last year's," said S.Y. Siddiqui, managing executive officer, administration. Hyundai has also advertised overseas for recruiting experienced executives.

IT recruitment, hit by a recession in the key US market, is picking up. "Hiring is still not at the peak level of mid-last year but it is building up," Shantanu Banerjee, director, HR, at European IT firm Steria's Indian unit.

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