World of HR: India’s job market is growing, but workers and recruiters are struggling to sync up

While many countries, from the US to the Netherlands to Singapore, have experienced hiring slowdowns since 2019, India has seen a surge. Hiring in the country is up 40%, according to LinkedIn. But that doesn’t mean workers are satisfied. In fact, most are planning their next move.

India has an estimated 924 million working-age people, and the majority (72%) of its professionals are actively seeking new roles, according to a recent LinkedIn survey reported by the Times of India. However, 84% of those surveyed said they feel “unprepared” to find a job, and 76% said the process has become more difficult.

While job seekers are increasingly using AI—94% said they plan to use the tech to find new work—some feel it’s a hindrance, with 66% saying the interview process has become less personal.

Job seekers aren’t the only ones struggling in this otherwise positive market. Most recruiters (74%) said it’s become harder to find talent, as the rate of applications per open position has more than doubled since 2022, according to the Economic Times.

“AI is now a foundational part of how careers are built and how talent is evaluated across India’s job market,” Nirajita Banerjee, a career expert and senior managing editor for LinkedIn India News, told the Economic Times. “When used with purpose, AI tools can bridge that gap by helping people identify the roles they’re right for, prepare with intent, and focus their learning where it matters most.”

International employers have increasingly turned to India to beef up their foreign talent centers, according to LinkedIn. In 2025, workers based in India accounted for roughly 8% of all foreign workers at US companies, up from 2% just a decade ago.

Deloitte, a major consulting firm headquartered in London, recently said it plans to hire 50,000 workers in India, increasing its workforce in the country by more than 35%, according to Yahoo. Tesla, the US-based EV car company owned by Elon Musk, is also expanding in India, focusing heavily on early-career workers after opening its first showroom in the country last summer, the Times of India reported.

Hats off to the HR professionals in India combing through these countless applications.