IT services, pharma could drive hiring in 2013

Information Technology services and pharmaceuticals are likely to drive hiring growth in 2013, to fill mid and senior positions, said HeadHonchos.com, a leading job search and career management portal.

"The data in 'Management Hiring: Perspective report 2012', indicate that IT or software services and pharmaceuticals or life sciences could potentially drive the hiring growth in 2013," HeadHonchos said in a release issued in New Delhi on Thursday.

Pharma has emerged as a powerful employer, replacing industries like telecom, which saw significant hiring in the previous year, it said.

The construction or real estate industry, despite slower growth continues to see hiring, given the infrastructure thrust in the country, it further said.

Foreign direct investment in retail, along with providing an impetus to senior hiring in retail, is also expected to provide a much-needed boost to the real estate industry, it pointed out.

Banking and finance is expected to be the dark horse, spurring employment on the back of the Banking Reforms Bill, it said.

In 2012, employers looked most for professionals in IT or software services, FMCG industries and BPO or ITES, followed by real estate and pharmaceuticals or life sciences to fill mid or senior positions.

The data released is based on the searches conducted by employers on the portal during last one year.

Elaborating on the findings, HeadHonchos.com CEO Uday Sodhi said, "Middle and senior management hiring in 2012 was reflective of the less

than optimistic business or economic performance.

"Our discussions for 2013, with employers across industries indicate a revival of hiring for mid-senior management positions, signalling progressive business intent."

However, considering the critical juncture of the business and economic ecosystem, it will be important for both employers and senior job seekers to empower themselves with the ability to react quickly, in line with emerging developments in the job market, he added.

Infotech professionals continue to be much in demand with IT emerging as the top functional area that employers are hiring for.

IT professionals are being recruited not just directly for the IT or software industry but also in support roles in a gamut of other industries while sales, business development and HR professionals, too, were highly sought after in the year gone by, it said.

At the senior level, employers have been most on the look-out for candidates for the roles of Chief Finance Officer, Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, while at the mid-management level, candidates for managerial positions in project management and sales are much in demand.

The search for CEOs is a positive sign, indicating that growth could be round the corner in 2013, according to the release.

Candidates based out of Bengaluru are most in demand as per the data, followed by Mumbai, New Delhi and NCR, Chennai and Pune.

While the demand for candidates in Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi and NCR expectedly holds strong, there has been slower hiring activity in Chennai compared to the previous year, it pointed out.