Decoding the Latest Hiring Trends: Naukri JobSpeak May 2025
Finding the right job can be a daunting task. Understanding current hiring trends is crucial for job seekers to make informed career decisions and accelerate professional growth. The Naukri JobSpeak report offers valuable insights into the dynamic Indian job market. This blog post dives into the key findings of the May 2025 edition, providing a comprehensive analysis of hiring trends across various industries, cities, functional areas, and experience levels.
Key Highlights from the Naukri JobSpeak Report
The Naukri JobSpeak Index, a reliable indicator of white-collar hiring activity in India, remained stable at 2,807 in May 2025, compared to 2,799 in May 2024. While overall hiring activity remained consistent, certain sectors and roles experienced significant growth.
AI/ML Roles See a Surge in Demand
One of the most prominent trends was the increased demand for AI/ML professionals, which soared by 25% year-on-year (YoY). This surge was particularly evident in metro cities like Delhi NCR (+35%), Chennai (+34%), and Kolkata (+33%). The demand spanned across experience levels, with the 13–16 years segment growing by 36%, and even fresher hiring posting a 22% rise.
Non-IT Industries Show Promise for Freshers
Despite a generally flat hiring landscape for entry-level roles, non-IT industries presented promising opportunities for freshers. The Insurance sector led the way with a 26% increase, followed by Real Estate (+12%), BPO/ITES (+5%), and Hospitality (+4%), indicating a diversification of job prospects beyond the tech sector.
Strong Performance in Specific Sectors
Several sectors exhibited robust hiring activity, including:
- Insurance (+6%)
- Real Estate (+5%)
- BPO/ITES (+4%)
- Hospitality (+4%)
Regional Insights: City-Specific Trends
Metro cities were key drivers of hiring in specific domains:
- AI/ML hiring gained significant traction in Delhi NCR (+35%), Chennai (+34%), and Kolkata (+33%).
- Unicorn recruitment increased by 19% YoY, with Delhi NCR (+29%), Hyderabad (+27%), and Bengaluru (+12%) leading the charge.
Growth in Emerging Cities
Emerging cities also demonstrated notable growth for seasoned professionals (16+ years experience):
- Kochi (+23%)
- Ahmedabad (+13%)
Experience Matters: Demand for Senior Professionals
Professionals with 16+ years of experience continued to be in high demand, witnessing a 6% YoY increase in hiring. Sectors like Oil & Gas (+21%) and Real Estate (+17%) significantly contributed to this trend.
Industry-Specific Hiring Trends: A Closer Look
| Industry | YoY Growth | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| AI/ML | +25% | Increased demand across metro cities and experience levels |
| Insurance | +26% | Strong fresher recruitment |
| Real Estate | +17% | Demand for seasoned professionals, fresher recruitment |
| BPO/ITES | +5% | Fresher recruitment |
| Hospitality | +4% | Fresher recruitment |
| Oil & Gas | +21% | Demand for seasoned professionals |
Naukri JobSpeak Methodology: A Trusted Source
The Naukri JobSpeak is a monthly index that provides a snapshot of the Indian job market. It’s calculated based on:
- New job listings: Data from Naukri’s extensive job postings.
- Recruiter searches: Analysis of recruiter activity on Naukri’s resume database.
The index uses July 2008 as the base month with a value of 1,000, against which all subsequent monthly values are compared. It aggregates data from over 100,000 clients, making it a reliable barometer of white-collar hiring in India.
