Small businesses are rapidly hiring recent college graduates, with totals approaching a million this year. The most in-demand roles are described as “AI-proof,” including field manager and service technician. The shift suggests employers are prioritizing hands-on, on-site work that automation struggles to replicate, reshaping early career hiring trends.
Infosys has been ranked India’s top company for career growth in LinkedIn’s 2026 list, with Accenture and Amazon close behind. The report flags a shift in hiring: employers increasingly want professionals who pair technical skills with communication and problem-solving to work effectively alongside AI. The result is a career path guided as much by human capability as by code.
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foundit’s Insights Tracker says employers increasingly favor candidates who can join immediately. With project deadlines shrinking, nearly one in three job ads mention immediate availability, and demand for quick joiners has risen 58% since 2022. But this speed preference outpaces the rate at which candidates become available, widening a growing talent gap.
Despite global geopolitical tensions, graduates from top IIMs saw higher salary offers this year. Consulting and financial firms drove most of the hiring, with strong placement participation that helped offset slower recruitment in technology. Placement teams also reported that Gulf-region company offers stayed steady, adding further resilience to the overall compensation trend.
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