Contrary to popular belief, the tech job market in India is booming with a high demand for specific skills. Bhasker Gupta, the CEO of AIM Media House, echoed this sentiment, stating on LinkedIn that despite the recent years being one of the toughest for tech employment, opportunities are high for “10x developers”.
“It’s easy to lose hope in a talent market like this, but then luck will favour those who are prepared. The market can turn course anytime,” Gupta noted.
According to ‘Annual Digital Skills Report FH24’ by Quess Corp, 66% of tech jobs focus on five core areas: development (35%), ERP (12%), testing (7%), design & engineering (7%), and networking (5%).
Not a Time to be a ‘Generic Software Engineer’
A Reddit user wrote, “I am 25 with a bachelor in CS and masters in AI. With 0 YOE [Years of experience], I found it tough to land a job after college and had to settle with a generic SDE [Software Development Engineer] role at a small company.” Many fresh graduates shared similar concerns on forums like Reddit.
This sentiment reflects a broader issue faced by many new entrants to the tech industry. Aspiring software engineers/developers consider several strategies to stand out and secure desirable positions.
Well, an internship is invaluable for gaining hands-on experience and making industry connections. Today on LinkedIn, there are over 99,000 software engineering internship opportunities in India, with 1,146 new listings just added.
In addition to formal education, pursuing specialised courses and securing certifications can make a significant difference. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer courses in cutting-edge technologies and tools.
Further, as the tech industry constantly evolves, staying updated with new frameworks, languages, and methodologies is crucial. Everything can’t and won’t be covered in college courses.
Critics argue that outdated curricula in Indian colleges fail to meet industry requirements, creating a wide gap between what students learn and the skills they need for the job market.
Back in 2015, esteemed scientist and Bharat Ratna awardee CNR Rao stated that 90% of Indian universities have outdated curricula, contributing to the country’s absence from the top 100 global universities list.
While individual efforts are crucial, companies also play a vital role in nurturing talent. Several Indian companies, including Infosys, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, and HCL Technologies offer employee training programs for developers
These programs provide structured learning paths, mentorship, and opportunities to work on innovative projects. Advocating for such initiatives can also help companies recognise the importance of developing their workforce, benefiting both the employer and the employees.
Rewrite Your Resume Now!
Fresh graduates are voicing concerns about their resumes lacking significant projects, which they fear might hinder their job prospects.
One such graduate shared, “I don’t have any projects listed on my resume despite knowing C, Java, and Python. My experience is limited to solving coding problems with these languages. Now that I’ve completed my BTech, I’m worried.”
They are seeking advice on platforms like Reddit and Quora on what kinds of projects to undertake and which technologies to learn to enhance their resumes and improve their chances of getting shortlisted by potential employers.
This sentiment reflects a common anxiety among new graduates entering the competitive job market.
It’s clear that their resume needs a revamp.
So, to enhance employability, graduates should focus on building a strong portfolio and must continuously update their knowledge to stay relevant in the ever-evolving tech industry.
