Talent500 by ANSR has conducted a brand survey to understand the dynamics of the market and trace the anticipated job search patterns in the post-pandemic times. Talent500 surveyed 20,000+ active tech professionals in the market to understand the good, bad, and ugly of the current recruitment processes and their pursuit of the perfect career opportunity in a post-COVID world. 

The survey highlighted the current challenges in the recruiting processes and the changing preferences for work as professionals geared up for a post-COVID reality. Over 54% reported the lack of transparency and delays in communication as the main reasons for keeping them away from pursuing or continuing to interview with a company. 

98% of the respondents are actively upskilling to stay ahead of the curve in a post-Covid19 world. 70% of them feel that changing times call for a newer approach and thus would need help with mock interviews, resume writing, and online skill test prep in order to market themselves better. 

Presenting a window into the future of work, the biggest takeaway is the emergence of the ‘gig economy’ in talent. With 56% of the respondents expressing an interest in pursuing gig-based or remote work, there is a growing demand amongst top professionals to have more control over their lifestyle. Working with flexible schedules, ability to work with multiple clients, and different learning opportunities are the key reasons for this emerging trend.

Other key findings of the report showed:

● 54.8% of professionals favor career growth opportunities over salary and benefits while applying to a job.

● 43% of them, however, said they do not have clarity on their career growth path at the job.

● 58% of talent admitted to focusing on brushing up their technical and programming skills when prepping for an interview.

● 56% of professionals leverage free as well as paid upskilling platforms in order to carve themselves into a suitable candidate for large enterprises. 

Commenting on the survey, Vikram Ahuja, Co-Founder of Talent500, said, “India’s top professionals are aware of the complex and uncertain environment and are already thinking of ways to prepare themselves in a post-COVID world. A renewed focus on upskilling and increasing demand for gig-based roles shows that the mindset of talent is changing. This will require enterprises to rethink their traditional recruiting models and employ simpler and more flexible approaches to engage with the top talent today.”

The pandemic has created a state of chaos, disrupted the way businesses operate, and has also drastically altered expectations, preferences, and behavioral patterns of both - recruiters and job seekers. 

Reports suggest that the overall work culture of Indian IT industries may take a steep turn, but we're seeing an extremely interesting solutions and measures suggested by the esteemed working class to take a new leap in their career growth.