Online job postings in India recorded a year-on-year decline of 4% in April 2021 according to data from Monster.com in India, a Quess Company.

The Monster Employment Index (MEI) decreased to 257 in April 2021 from 267 in April 2020.

The decline in job postings is due to the onset of the second wave of the pandemic leading to lockdowns. 

When compared to the previous month, online hiring fell by 3%.

However, online hiring demand exceeded in 10 of the 27 industries in April 2021 vs. April 2020.

Year-on-year, Agro Based Industries (20%), Chemicals/Plastic/Rubber, Paints, Fertilizer/Pesticides (19%) and Printing/Packaging (17%) showed notable annual growth in e-recruitment activity.

Industries that continued to decline in annual growth are Travel and Tourism (-52%), Education (-34%) and Engineering, Cement, Construction, Iron/Steel (-26%).

Annual online demand for professionals reflected growth in three out of 13 functional areas as tracked by the Index.

Online demand for professionals in job-roles such as Software, Hardware, Telecom (17%) and Arts/Creative (4%) showcased an increase in online hiring activity between April 2020 and 2021.

Functional roles in Customer Service (-33%), Sales & Business Development (-21%) and Hospitality & Travel (-20%) witnessed the sharpest annual dip.

Online hiring demand monitored by the Index showed an upward trend in three out of the 13 cities from a year ago level.

Recruitment activities showed an uptrend in Bangalore (+28%), Hyderabad (+23%), and Chennai (+16%).

Meanwhile, demand for entry-level job seekers with experience of 0-3 years decreased by 11%. Hiring for Intermediate level roles with an experience of 4-6 years grew by 4%. Mid-senior level roles with 7-10 years of experience saw an incline of 13%. Hiring for Senior level roles with 11-15 years of experience increased by 10%. At the same time, top management level professionals saw growth of 36%.

 Sekhar Garisa, CEO, Monster.com said, “The second wave of the pandemic and various intensities of lockdowns across the country have impacted hiring activity. However, hiring activity in some cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai indicate a positive uptick, and year-on-year growth across certain sectors and functions have been witnessed. These are positive indicators that we are better equipped to face the impact this year compared to April 2020.”