"In 2010 (January-December), I envisage atleast 20-30 per cent increase in recruitments by companies," recruitment consultancy firm, Fun & Joy At Work's Chief Executive Officer R L Bhatia, told reporters. This would be over and above the 30 per cent dip in hiring that was witnessed last year, Bhatia said.

Fun & Joy At Work is a nine-year-old recruitment firm with offices across Mumbai and Singapore. The company claims providing talent consultancy to a host of Indian companies across sectors. BPOs, bio-technology, media, telecom and finance are some of the sectors likely to witnessing higher hirings, Bhatia said. The Indian economy would clock around six to seven per cent growth and substantial investments into India is in the offing, Bhatia said, adding, "this will trigger an increased hiring."

Bhatia said that despite the slowdown, companies did hire, though less in number. "Maybe they hired less, but they hired nevertheless," he said. His own firm had some 30 companies which have plans to hire around 20,000-30,000 personnel, he said. "Industry is exercising caution now. As a result, companies are investing only when and where it is necessary. They are sensibly investing in people or human resources," he said.