India’s information technology and business process management sectors saw a further slump in hiring activity in September amid fears of downturns in major international markets like the US and Europe, reports the Economic Times, citing a study by staffing firm Ciel HR Services. The study showed that among the top 50 IT & BPM (business process management) companies, hiring in September has declined by 41% and for senior management roles it has dropped by 61%. The study also finds that Bengaluru remains the ‘hottest destination for IT & BPM talent’, with 28% of job postings for this region.

“The demand for IT Talent which was at its peak during the first half of the year saw companies go into a hiring spree,” Aditya Narayan Mishra, Managing Director & CEO, Ciel HR, said. “Companies were ready to spend the extra buck to onboard resources with the right skill. The hiring frenzy overlooked aspects like cultural fitment which created a disharmony as people have started coming back to office. So, some hard decisions are being made and contract resources have suffered the brunt of this.”