The number of open job positions in India accepting applications for white-collar professionals in August was 26% higher than a year ago and second highest for a month so far this financial year after July when there were 290,000 active white-collar jobs, reports The Economic Times, citing data from staffing firm Xpheno and professional networking site LinkedIn. Data showed around 280,000 active openings for white-collar jobs in August. Job market experts said recovery in the white-collar market is here to stay as companies, though cautious, are planning for their future growth. "The sustained positive trajectory seen in hiring action is an indication of the larger buoyancy in play," Kamal Karanth, cofounder of Xpheno said. "As the threshold month before the festive action begins, the stability in active jobs seen in August is encouraging.” Industry experts are of the view that companies are better prepared for a likely third wave of the pandemic and are not likely to cut back on their hiring plans.