A recent Economic Times report advises mid-career professionals to align their skills with opportunities in e-commerce, manufacturing, and BFSI sectors. Key roles to explore include data science, cloud architecture, digital marketing, and cybersecurity.
If you are a mid-career professional, a job shift is a process that takes a lot of thought. You have to consider your experience, prospects and the area you want to explore, while at the same time ensuring your personal commitments are also fulfilled. So it makes sense to understand some of the emerging opportunities for this year to plan that job shift seamlessly.
Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India, says that right now, sectors that are seeing an increase in hiring for mid-career roles include e-commerce companies. They are particularly keen on bringing in experienced professionals. There's also a notable uptick in demand for senior management positions within the manufacturing and BFSI sectors, according to Indeed's quarterly hiring tracker.
Somdutta Singh, Founder and CEO of Assiduus, says mid-career professionals looking for a change can explore a diverse range of roles in data science, analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and data architecture. The shift towards cloud-based solutions is generating jobs for cloud architects, cloud engineers and security specialists. With online marketing becoming indispensable, roles like SEO specialists, social media managers, and content marketing strategists are flourishing.
The emerging cyberthreat landscape demands skilled security professionals like penetration testers, security analysts and incident responders.
What are companies looking for at mid-career levels?
Kumar says, "Our survey shows a 10% increase in employers hiring mid-level candidates over the past two years, rising from 23% in 2022 to 33% so far in 2024. Companies are looking to fill specific skill gaps that require experience, find leaders who can effectively guide teams, and stay competitive with fresh perspectives from mid-level talent. Plus, hiring mid-level professionals helps improve retention rates as they tend to be more stable than entry-level hires. The push for digital transformation, especially in e-commerce, has further boosted the demand for experienced professionals to manage and implement new technologies."
Singh says he sees opportunities in the fintech sector, which needs professionals in areas like mobile payments, blockchain tech and financial inclusion. The rise in e-commerce opportunities has led to roles for digital marketing managers, e-commerce operations specialists, and logistics professionals.
Healthcare is another area that is seeing demand for IT specialists, medical data analysts, and telehealth service providers.
Kumar says mid-career positions require specialised expertise that may be more challenging to acquire or cultivate internally.
So talented individuals are in demand.
Factors contributing to this increased demand
Kumar adds that several factors are driving demand for mid-career professionals in e-commerce, manufacturing and the BFSI
In the BFSI sector, mid-level hiring is 37% lower than entry-level roles but 15% higher than senior-level positions. This indicates a strong preference for fresh talent in entry-level roles, likely for customer service and basic financial operations. At the mid-level, there's a need for professionals who can handle complex tasks in risk management and compliance. Senior-level positions see lower hiring rates as companies prioritise selecting leaders capable of navigating regulatory challenges and technological advancements.
Singh says that to navigate the mid-career transition, it's vital to identify your transferable skills and areas you're passionate about. "You can consider online courses, certifications or bootcamps to acquire new skills relevant to your desired role. Networking with professionals in your target sector can open doors and provide valuable insights," he adds.