2024: The Year of the Job Hopper? Why 88% of Indians Say "It's Time to Move On"

Despite the economic uncertainty, professionals are now cautious when advancing their careers. According to a new study from LinkedIn, the largest professional network in the world, nearly nine out of ten (88%) professionals in India are thinking about changing jobs in 2024. This is an increase of 4% YoY from 2023.

This indicates a change in mindset where professionals take charge of their professions and want to make up lost time by emphasising production and career advancement more than persevering through setbacks. According to data from LinkedIn, there was a 9% YoY rise in job search activity on the platform in 2023 compared to 2022.

According to respondents, the two main drivers of job switching in a challenging economic climate are the demand for more excellent pay (37%) and a better work-life balance (42%). Nearly eight of ten Indian professionals (79 percent) stated they seek opportunities outside their industry or function, demonstrating their willingness to explore new career pathways.

Professionals need help matching their desired occupations with their skill sets

Professionals are optimistic, but they find it challenging to stay up with the quick changes in the skills needed for specific positions, caused mainly by the rapid advancements in AI. The job search process is made more challenging by the claim made by nearly half (45%) of professionals that they are still determining how to match their talents to the position they seek. According to data from LinkedIn, employment skills in India have evolved by thirty percent since 2015. Professionals are also having difficulty obtaining employment; 55% say it is frustrating to look for work, and 59% say they don't often hear back from recruiters.

Professionals are adapting to stand out in the employment market

Professionals are changing their job search strategy to differentiate themselves in the face of fierce competition. Professionals who responded to the survey stated that they had modified their job search strategy by trying out novel resume formats, including digital and video resumes (72%). They are also enthusiastic about utilising AI, with almost 81% of professionals stating that it can improve the effectiveness and productivity of their job search.

They are also taking charge of their careers by investing in developing their professional brand and reaching out to contacts who may help them improve their chances of getting hired. Professionals are using LinkedIn to submit more content, with 79% doing so and 83% actively expanding their professional networks.

Employment Trends and Roles That Are Growing Fastest: A Look Ahead at What the Future of Work Will Hold 

Discovering the patterns determining the future of work and the locations of long-term prospects, LinkedIn's most recent 'Jobs on the Rise' list offers fresh perspectives on the overgrown jobs over the previous five years. The top three fastest-increasing jobs in India in 2024 will be influencer marketing specialist, closing manager, and design specialist, with growth rates exceeding 79 percent.