The job index for IT–software at 600 saw a drop of 11 per cent compared with 674 in February to hit its lowest since July 2008. BPO and ITeS remained close to the February level. There was a decline in hiring across experience bands. The maximum jobs continue to be in the four-seven-year experience category.

Senior profile hiring saw a decline by eight per cent in March 2008 compared with February. Hiring of fresher and junior executives declined by 8-10 per cent.

The report compiles an index-based on job listings added to the site every month. To calculate the index, job listings added to the site in July 2008 have been taken as a base of 1,000. The March 2009 index is compared with July 2008’s data.

Mr Sumeet Singh, National Head-Marketing and Corp Communication, Info Edge (India) Ltd, said this was because March was a month of caution for India Inc. “Sectors such as healthcare, pharma and telecom were slightly better positioned than other sectors. But virtually everyone is at a lower position than where they were last month.”