Startup recruiters find few takers amid overall hiring slowdown

Scores of recruitment professionals, who joined recruitment teams of startups at astronomical hikes to drive the post-pandemic hiring frenzy, are now struggling to find jobs for themselves. Many of these talent acquisition folks are now finding themselves priced out of the market as opportunities dry up and several find themselves without jobs, some for months on end, industry insiders said.

In a harsh funding environment, where hiring has plummeted as startups focus on profitability, many recruiters/talent acquisition professionals have either been let go as part of cost-cutting exercises or are looking out for options. Some are reaching out to previous employers including recruitment/search firms; others are even willing to take hefty salary cuts. But in a market where overall hiring has fallen, there are not many takers.

“TA managers who were getting Rs 30-35 lakh jumped to Rs 50-55 lakh. At the top end, TA professionals got paid as much as Rs 2 crore,” said Anshuman Das, CEO of Careernet and LONGHOUSE Consulting. “Salaries were bloated to crazy levels. Now, many are reaching out to me, but with hiring down, there’s no place to accommodate them.”

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