Recruitment managers in India are optimistic about returning to pre-pandemic hiring levels in 2021 as nearly 60% of companies are looking to hire talent for new positions, reports The Economic Times citing research from online talent assessment firm Mercer Mettl. The research, based on a survey among C-suite executives and HR leaders of 500 companies across sectors, also indicated that virtual hiring is the future of recruitment as nearly half of those surveyed said they took the digital route during the pandemic. Approximately 81% of participating companies chose virtual platforms in some form to hire talent during the pandemic. According to Mercer Mettl, the switch from offline to online has benefitted companies as virtual hiring is a quick and cost-effective means of attracting the best talent globally.