The growth of new employment opportunities in India has also given most, or 61%, of jobseekers an optimistic outlook of their industry for the next 6 to 12 months, according to research from RGF International Recruitment.

The research noted that as the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic in India abated, most industries have resumed business activities, leading to improving confidence and promising growth in the year ahead, and the optimistic outlook of employers and increased hiring across the board.

Among jobseekers, the most optimistic of them are in Healthcare & Life Sciences (71%), Technology, Media & Telecommunications (68%) and Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (64%).

The top three reasons for their positive outlook are: their industries' ability to overcome the challenges of Covid-19, advancement in technology and digital transformation, and favourable changes in consumer preferences and demand.

More than half, or 55%, of respondents are actively seeking new jobs while another 31% of them are open to new opportunities. Salary or benefit package is most important motivating factor for 61% of respondents seeking a new employer, compared to 32% in 2020. This was followed by career progression opportunities (52%). Candidates expect a salary increase of 31% when changing jobs.

Nearly half, or 44%, of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with their compensation package, which is a significant increase from the 32% last year. However, the number of dissatisfied respondents also rose by 11%. While it is likely that employees will seek higher increment to be satisfied in the year ahead, increment expectations when switching jobs have dropped from last year.

Meanwhile, respondents who intend to stay with their current employer place management style and company culture (49%), work-life balance (47%) and salary or benefit package (40%) at the top of their list of priorities.

The majority, or 71%, of candidates believe that hybrid-working models are the most beneficial for their productivity, and more employers feel that staff productivity has improved in 2021. Most, or 83%, believe work-from-home or hybrid work arrangements will be the norm in 2022.

Sachin Kulshrestha, Managing Director, RGF Professional Recruitment India, said, "While these trends may appear to be in favour of talent, caution is advised for both employers and jobseekers when setting expectations. In periods of volatility, forgoing realistic expectations can impact their prospects in the eventuality of a market correction."