Overview

In a press release dated 6 November 2026, foundit – formerly Monster (APAC & ME) – presented its Career Reset Survey 2027, which surveyed 9,951 Indian professionals across the country. The survey captures job‑switch intentions, compensation expectations, skill‑upgrading trends, and recruitment‑process frustrations as the workforce looks toward 2027.

Job‑Switch Intentions

The data show that 68.4% of respondents plan to actively look for a new job by 2027, while 18.1% intend to stay in their current roles but remain open to opportunities, and only 3.7% plan to stay and grow within their existing organisations. Confidence in securing a new position is high, with 94.1% stating they would be able to find a good job if needed.

Motivations for Switching

Career growth emerges as the dominant driver, cited by 40.3% of professionals, followed by higher salary (29.7%) and better work‑life balance (20.3%). Job security is a relatively weak motivator, mentioned by just 7%, and only 2.7% prioritize a better manager or culture.

Salary Expectations

Compensation remains a critical factor: 51.5% of respondents expect a salary hike of 31% or more to consider a move worthwhile. The breakdown is:

  • 31.2% target a 31‑50% increase,
  • 29.4% would switch for a 20‑30% raise,
  • 6.2% are satisfied with less than 20% uplift.

Notably, one in five professionals (approximately 20%) anticipate a hike exceeding 50%, while 12.9% say salary alone would not motivate a change.

AI Upskilling and Future‑Ready Skills

AI’s impact on career planning is pronounced: 82.1% view AI as a career opportunity, with 67% actively upskilling in AI‑related competencies. An additional 15.2% recognise AI’s potential but have not yet taken action, and 12.2% believe AI will change their role without replacing it. Only 5.7% fear AI could reduce opportunities in their field.

Recruitment‑Process Frustrations

Despite high confidence in finding jobs, the hiring experience is a major pain point. 52.7% of respondents cite applying for jobs and never hearing back as their biggest frustration. Other concerns include lengthy hiring processes (19.1%), fake or irrelevant job listings (11.6%), and automated AI‑led rejections without feedback (9%). Overall, 80.8% identify recruitment‑process issues as their primary grievance, underscoring the need for better communication and transparency.

Work‑Life Balance and Flexibility Preferences

When asked what they would most like to change about their careers, 29.6% prioritize better work‑life balance, 27% aim for a future‑proof role, and 26.4% seek significantly higher earnings. Regarding work arrangements, 56% favor hybrid models, 23.7% prefer fully remote, and 20.3% opt for fully office‑based settings.

About foundit

foundit is a leading talent platform operating across APAC and the Gulf, offering AI‑powered job search, e‑learning, assessments, resume services, and interview preparation. Since its inception, it has assisted over 120 million job seekers in 18 countries, and has been recognised as a Great Place To Work. The company aims to bridge talent gaps across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies through deep‑tech solutions.

Key Takeaways

  • A substantial majority of Indian professionals are planning to switch jobs by 2027, driven primarily by career growth.
  • Salary expectations are high, with more than half demanding hikes of at least 31%.
  • AI upskilling is widespread, reflecting anticipation of role transformation.
  • Recruitment inefficiencies remain a critical friction point for talent.
  • Flexibility and work‑life balance continue to shape employment preferences.