JOIN USHirings slowed down across sectors in July with recruitment happening selectively as companies remained cautious amid challenging economic conditions, says a report.
Selective hiring happened last month across most industries as many of them including banking felt the "brunt of a slowdown", leading job portal Naukri.com said today.
The Naukri Job Speak index -- that indicates hiring activities online -- declined to 1,197 in July from 1,210 in June.
"The overall recruitment market in the economy is very challenging and most recruiters are staffing smartly and are not going overboard," Info Edge India Managing Director and CEO Hitesh Oberoi said in a statement.
He noted that unlike the last downturn, this time companies are more prepared and cautious.
Naukri.com is part of Info Edge group.
"The Banking sector has seen the highest month-on-month dip with hiring activity going down by 16 per cent in July 2012 compared to June 2012.
"On a monthly level, Oil and Gas, Software services and Auto Sector saw recruitment levels dip within a range of 2-4 per cent, respectively over the same time period," it said.
A slew of factors including global economic uncertainties and slowing capital inflows have affected overall domestic growth, which in turn is negatively impacting the employment market, according to the statement.
Notwithstanding tough economic conditions, certain sectors such as ITES, Telecom and Insurance saw hiring activities grow in the range of 4-8 per cent in July compared to the same period a year ago.
The demand for Customer Service, Production and Sales professionals too increased during the same period.
Among cities, Bengaluru and Chennai saw as much as three per cent fall in recruitment activities in July 2012 compared to year-ago period.
During the same period, Pune and Hyderabad saw 4 per cent and 3 per cent increase, respectively, in hiring levels.