Working in India
If you’re studying at the University of Manchester and are considering returning to India after your course, this page outlines key career trends, in-demand skills, graduate job websites, and practical tips to help you start preparing for your future career.
- Understanding the Job Market in India
According to the Global Talent Shortage Survey for 2025 by ManpowerGroup, India is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled workers. reflecting a significant talent gap.
For graduates returning from abroad, this can be an advantage if you have the skills employers are looking for. However, competition for the most attractive positions remains high, so it is important to focus on developing skills that are in demand.
- Skills Currently in High Demand
LinkedIn’s ‘Skills on the Rise 2025’ report identifies the fastest-growing skills in India. These skills reflect both technical expertise and soft skills that employers value highly.
- Creativity and Innovation
- Code Review
- Problem-Solving
- Pre-Screening
- Strategic Thinking
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Large Language Models (LLM)
- AI Literacy
- Debugging
- Customer Engagement
- Statistical Data Analysis
- Prompt Engineering
- Market Analysis
- Stakeholder Management
How this list was compiled
LinkedIn measures skill growth using three indicators -
- Skill Acquisition: How frequently users add the skill to their profiles.
- Hiring Success: The proportion of people with the skill who were hired in the past year.
- Emerging Demand: How often the skill appears in job postings.
You can explore these skills in more depth through this LinkedIn blog, which also provides links to useful LinkedIn Learning courses.
- Career Areas with Strong Growth
UpGrad has published a blog on top 20 in-demand careers in India in 2025, along with the list of top employers and estimated salaries as per Glassdoor:
- IT and Software Development
- Data Science and Analytics
- AI and Machine Learning
- Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking
- Blockchain Technology
- Cloud Computing and DevOps
- Digital Marketing and E-commerce
- Content Creation and Influencer Marketing
- Renewable Energy and Sustainability
- Medical and Healthcare Professionals
- Biotechnology and Healthcare Innovations
- Environmental Science and Conservation
- Finance and Investment Banking
- Management and Consulting
- Legal Professionals
- Education and EdTech
- Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS)
- Graphic Design and Animation
- UI/UX Design and Development
- Entrepreneurship and Startups
- Understanding the Application Process
Recruitment in India generally takes place on a rolling basis, with vacancies being filled throughout the year as and when they arise, rather than through a fixed recruitment cycle.
When applying for jobs in India, most employers will request a CV and/or a cover letter. Shortlisted candidates may go through multiple interview rounds. Some roles may also require psychometric tests, group discussions, or practical skills assessments.
For government positions, additional competitive exams such as CET, NET, PSC, or SSC may be required. The specific exam depends on the sector (e.g., teaching, railways, banking, or civil services).
- Where to Look for Jobs
- a) Online platforms
- GoinGlobal – Provides country-specific career guides and job boards. You can filter listings by location for India.
- Naukri.com A widely used platform in India for job listings across various sectors, suitable for exploring multiple opportunities.
- Indeed – A globally-recognised platform that offers a large number of job postings and is easy to navigate for job seekers from different fields.
- Foundit (Previously monster.com) - Offers a variety of job listings along with AI-powered tools to help manage applications efficiently.
- LinkedIn - A professional networking site that also allows you to search for jobs actively or keep track of opportunities passively.
- Shine.com - Features both entry-level roles and managerial positions across different industries.
- Freshersworld.com - Focuses on internships, trainee programs, and entry-level positions, which are particularly suitable for recent graduates.
- Glassdoor - Provides insights into companies, including reviews and salary data, alongside a variety of job listings.
- Times Jobs- Offers a broad selection of job openings across multiple sectors in India.
- Internshala - Dedicated to internships and early-career roles, suitable for students and recent graduates seeking practical experience.
- b) Recruitment agencies
Some employers in India hire through recruitment agencies. International firms such as Michael Page, Hays, Adecco, and Randstad have a presence in India, along with local agencies that may focus on specific sectors or regions.
Please note: When choosing a recruitment agency as a job seeker, do your research and read reviews from past candidates. Avoid any agency that ask for upfront payment.
- c) Speculative Job Search
Not all opportunities are publicly advertised. You can approach small companies directly by sending your CV or portfolio to recruiter emails that you can find on company websites. For guidance on how to approach speculative applications, you can also refer to our webpage on ‘speculative job search’.
In addition, social media can play an important role in your job search. You may come across internships, freelance projects, or short-term assignments on platforms such as dedicated Instagram accounts for job postings and WhatsApp groups that share free job alerts (see screenshots below). It’s important to remain cautious, especially with platforms that promote paid subscriptions. Blogs can also be a useful resource to learn from graduates’ experiences in niche fields. If you’re interested in the development sector, you may find it helpful to read this article by Raju, who studied MSc Global Development (Poverty and Inequality), published on the University of Manchester’s Global Development Institute Blog, which offers guidance and insights on navigating career opportunities in this field.
