While many companies across sectors in India had started going slow on their hiring plans over the last month by deferring interviews, job seekers are now faced with an indefinite delay in the issuing of offer letters as several companies have put the process on hold even after the final selection of a candidate, reports the Economic Times, citing research from staffing firms and executive search firms. However, there has been no withdrawal or cancellation of offers given out so far. Search consultants and hiring agencies have seen a 15%-20% fall in offer letters being issued by companies after a person has made it through the final round of the selection process. According to data of 600 companies collated by CIEL HR Services, in the last two weeks, there was a 10%-15% dip in the issue of final offer letters in sectors such as IT, manufacturing, engineering, consumer products, BFSI (banking financial services and insurance), retail and healthcare.

While industry experts attribute this to companies being busy with Covid-related crisis management, many CEOs and top company executives said the pause could also be due to a growing nervousness about the impact of the second wave, more states clamping down, and the buzz of a nationwide lockdown.