India
Key Issues
Higher Education is growing fast in India resulting in an extremely competitive graduate
recruitment market. The graduate recruitment process tends to be very structured with close
partnerships between university campuses and employers - internationally educated graduates
would not be able to access these processes, but could apply independently. Also, since many
Indian employers prefer to recruit through personal referrals, overseas applicants may be at a
disadvantage. Multi-national companies are likely to be most receptive and positive about
internationally educated graduates.
Key sectors include utilities, engineering and manufacturing but there is growth across almost all
of India's main sectors including textiles, IT, business process outsourcing, telecommunications
and pharmaceuticals. Many multinational companies such as Shell, IBM, Atkinsglobal,
GlaxoSmithKline, Sony Ericsson, Mastercard, Accenture, HSBC, Hewlett Packard, Samsung,
Proctor and Gamble, Alstom, AstraZeneca, BOC, Infosys Ltd and Merck operate in India and it is
worth considering applying to these companies as they may have an application process similar to
those in the UK.
There are also numerous state-owned organisations which should be
considered. In India finding work through networks and recommendations is extremely common,
so maintaining and growing networks while in the UK is vital, however making ‘cold calls’ to an
organisation where you would like to work is also accepted practice.
What do employers look for?
Indian employers rely on perceptions of universities and the reputation of the institution is
considered when recruiting. Employers expect returning Indian graduates from the UK to have
demonstratively improved verbal and written English communication skills and graduates will need
to stress what their course involved in terms of knowledge and skills gained, as employers will not
be familiar with course detail. Recruiters value work experience whether gained in the UK or in
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India, however unpaid or non-relevant work needs to be marketed carefully in the application
process. Also it is worth noting that in India most employers favour two year Masters courses so
when marketing a one year course it is important to stress the intensive nature of any UK study.
Finally, employers expect applicants to have a realistic outlook with regard to starting salaries
along with an understanding of the normal work life balance in Indian.
This information has been researched and gathered from various sources including those listed
below.
Tips for success
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Recruiters always value Work experience, whether gained in the UK or in India so try and
gain relevant paid work experience and develop the skills employers are looking for
Research potential employers in detail, ensure you show knowledge of the organisation
when you apply – this helps show real interest and commitment
Gather information on salaries and working conditions to ensure you show realism when
you apply
Try and develop networks to help with your jobsearch. If you are an Indian student, use
vacations to develop networks, research the labour market and try and find work
experience in India by setting up work-shadowing, temporary or project work. Utilise social
networking sites such as Linkedin, and Brijj popular sites in India and the alumni
association for Indian students studying in UK.
If you are a non-Indian student you need to develop your language skills (the principle
language is standard Hindi while English is the secondary official language) and carefully
research visa requirements. Look into work experience opportunities available and
teaching English as a foreign language is also an option you could consider. Another
possible route to working in India could be to gain employment with a multi-national
organisation in your home country. This could enable you to gain a transfer to work in India
at a later date.
Help Indian employers understand the benefits of your degree by providing detailed
information about the content, the practical skills developed (e.g. laboratory skills, software
skills) as Indian employers will not have an understanding of a UK degree.
Look at opportunities across the country, not just in Delhi or Mumbai where there is likely to
be more competition for jobs.
Further advice and information
General Information
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Targetjobs : Working in India – a good source of information on working in
India
Freshersworld - read latest Jobs news and industry updates in India
Global edge - a web-portal with a wealth of information, insights and learning resources on
global business activities. A really useful resource for anyone seeking information about
international business news includes country specific details with lots of additional links.
Naukri Indian careers site
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Prospects Country Profiles: India - resources provide an excellent overview of the job
market, vacancy sources and information on application processes and visa rules
Starting your career in …..India - useful resources providing information on the labour
market and tips for job search and job applications
The Financial Times International Business Insight - specific reports on Emerging
Europe; Latin America; Middle East/Africa; Asia-Pacific regions
www.abyznewslinks.com - links to Newspapers and News Media in India
www.businesstoday.in - economic and business news and information and advice on
current recruitment trends
www.indiamart.com - Indian business directory
Jobsites
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Careers in Asia - international recruitment consultancy that specialise in recruiting
internationally-based candidates from Asia back into jobs within their home countries
http://india.recruit.net - extensive jobs database and a ‘job index’ showing recruitment
trends for different professions
http://JobAgencies.com - lists recruitment agencies by country
http://jobs.oneindia.in – search database for a range of opportunities in various cities
Prospects International Graduate Jobs - online vacancy database with opportunities
suitable for both Chinese nationals and other students/graduates
www.shine.com – list of top companies in India
www.timesjobs.com - extensive jobs database and calendar of job fairs in India
www.biggerrole.com - summer internships and graduate jobs in India
www.bond.org.uk – British Overseas NGOs for Development is the UK membership body
for non-governmental organisations working in international development. Search the useful
membership directory to identify volunteering opportunities.
www.careermosaicindia.com – search database for current jobs
www.devseeker.in - India IT employment portal
www.fundoodata.com/index.php - searchable database of India’s top employers
www.indianjobs.org - search by keywords and/or by location
www.jobstreet.co.in - jobs in IT, sales, banking and insurance
www.naukri.com - lists jobs with many top international firms
www.placementindia.com – search by industry category or geographical area
www.yuvajobs.com – a jobs portal for ‘Freshers’ and experience candidates alike
www.clickindia.com – a jobs portal across India
www.indianinternship.com – online resources for Indian Internships
Careers Centre Resources
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The Global Resume and CV Guide – publication contains information on how to 'culturally
sensitise' a resume/CV.
Volunteer Bank – information about ongoing opportunities within local charities.
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You’re Hired! Interview questions - book is packed with useful hints and tips, practice
questions and sample tests, chapters take the reader through the entire job hunting process
Brilliant Employability Skills – Information about how to stand out from the crowd in the
graduate job market.
Brilliant Answers to Tough Interview Questions – publication has over 200 of the most
commonly asked questions and ideal answers and includes chapters on pre-interview
preparation
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication at the time of
printing. However, this information could be subject to change. Updated August 2015
Accessibility: If the information in this document is required in a different format, please contact us for assistance. Purple
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