JOBS & CAREERS / The Economic Times
The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) 2024, a 60-minute computer-based exam with 60 MCQs, was conducted for admissions to various Symbiosis management programs. The exam, considered moderately difficult, included sections on English, logical reasoning, and quantitative skills. Expected cut-offs for top institutes range from 82 to 98+ percentile. The official answer key is expected soon.
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) will announce exam district details for the Senior Teacher (Sanskrit Edu.) Comp Exam 2024 on December 21st. Admit cards will be available for download from December 25th. The written exam is scheduled for December 28th-31st, 2024, in two shifts. Subjects include Social Science, Hindi, G.K, Educational Psychology, Science, Mathematics, Sanskrit, and English.
Social media has evolved into a powerful tool for career advancement. Crafting a strong online presence, sharing insightful content, and networking strategically can open doors to new opportunities and mentorship. However, maintaining professionalism and avoiding controversial content is crucial for safeguarding your reputation.
Networking isn't just about formal events. It's an ongoing process happening daily, both in-person and online. Digital platforms and workplace interactions offer freshers key opportunities to connect with peers and leaders, expanding their network beyond traditional settings.
The Indian IT industry has been rebounding in the latter half of 2024, with specialized tech roles and fresher hiring expected to surge in 2025. Demand for AI, ML, and data analytics professionals has been higher, driven by technological advancements. While global economic challenges impacted projects, the outlook for 2025 includes increased fresher opportunities and a return to office work.
Fourteen students achieved perfect scores on the 2024 Common Admission Test (CAT), matching last year's total. Five of the top scorers hail from Maharashtra. Nearly 300,000 students took the exam, with women comprising 36.5% of test-takers. The results will be used by IIMs and 86 other institutions for admissions.
The XAT 2025 admit card will be available from December 20, 2024, for the exam scheduled on January 5, 2025. Key changes include shifting the Analytical Essay Writing to the GD/PI stage, reducing the General Knowledge section to 20 questions, and adjusting the exam timings with Part One lasting 170 minutes and Part Two (General Knowledge) for 10 minutes.
CAT 2024 Toppers: The CAT 2024 results, declared on 19 December 2024, spotlighted exceptional performances, with 14 candidates achieving perfect scores. The exam, a gateway to Indias top management institutes, featured diverse participation from across the nation. Candidates can now check their results on the official website and proceed with the admission processes to IIMs and other registered institutions.
IIM Calcutta announced the CAT 2024 results, with engineering students and male candidates dominating the top percentiles. Out of 2.93 lakh test-takers, 14 achieved a perfect score, 13 of whom were male engineers. Four female candidates featured among the top three percentile brackets. IIMs and 86 non-IIM institutions will use CAT scores for admissions.
India's job market is expected to boom in 2025. A 9% hiring growth is predicted. IT, retail, telecom, and BFSI sectors will lead this growth. Emerging technologies will create new job opportunities. Cities like Coimbatore and Jaipur are becoming hiring hotspots. The hiring growth builds on the momentum from 2024.
India's young workforce saw a 7% in employability this year. The Wheebox ETS India Skills Report 2025 revealed that B.Tech and MBA graduates have the highest current employability. Growth sectors include IT, healthcare, renewable energy, and e-commerce. The report suggested focusing on vocational training, global collaboration, and technology integration to meet future skill demands.
Game of Thrones offers surprising career lessons. Adaptability, like Arya's, is crucial for navigating uncertainty. Leverage your strengths, as Tyrion does with his intellect. Seek mentorship, similar to Daenerys, for guidance. Evaluate loyalties strategically, like Varys. Finally, remember that actions, like Jon Snow's, define respect, not titles.
Leaders are adapting to today's digitally transformed workplace by focusing on outcome-based performance management and leveraging technology. With hybrid work models evolving, companies have been encouraging in-office presence while maintaining flexibility. Building an inclusive culture, managing multi-generational workforces, and strategic technology adoption are key to success.
India's job market is expected to boom in 2025, with a projected 9% growth driven by IT, retail, telecom, and BFSI sectors. Emerging technologies and evolving business needs are shaping hiring trends, with Bengaluru and Coimbatore leading city-wise growth. November 2024 saw a 10% year-over-year hiring increase, indicating continued momentum.
The CAT 2024 results are releasing this Thursday. Candidates can check their scores on iimcat.ac.in. Login with your application number and password. The scorecard will have subject-wise marks and aggregate marks. The toppers list and final answer key will also be available on the website. Last year's top scorers included Kartik Bhageria, Riddhi Dugar, and Rounak Tikmani.
The CII and EY report projects India's tourism sector needing 61 lakh more workers by 2036-37, driven by a resurgence in domestic tourism. The report recommends skill development, incentivizing women's participation, and leveraging digital infrastructure. Industry leaders emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, streamlined processes, and recognizing tourism's role in cultural diplomacy.
A government panel reviewed the National Testing Agency. The panel advised against permanent staff. It suggested longer terms for experts. Attractive service conditions were also recommended. The panel proposed a restructuring of the NTA. It wants specialized verticals and a network of testing centers. The aim is to improve the conduct of crucial exams like NEET and NET.
AI and data analytics firm MathCo plans to hire 400 more employees this fiscal, raising its global workforce to 2,500. The company focuses on recruiting fresh talent and lateral hires in AI/ML, data engineering, and related fields, alongside robust upskilling initiatives.
IITs dominate as the premier breeding ground for India's top self-made entrepreneurs, according to a recent report. IIT Delhi leads with 36 alumni founders, followed by IIT Bombay and Kharagpur. IIM Ahmedabad tops the list for postgraduate institutions, nurturing successful founders like Deep Kalra of MakeMyTrip.
To thrive in today's rapidly evolving job market, prioritize lifelong learning, embrace technology, and build a strong professional network. Cultivate transferable skills, monitor industry trends, and diversify income streams to remain adaptable and resilient amidst change.
The myth of the lone genius discourages collaboration and hinders success. Experts emphasize that innovation thrives on teamwork, mentorship, and diverse perspectives. Organizations should foster collaborative environments while still recognizing individual contributions to achieve a balance and drive progress.
A recent survey from Kickresume revealed that 70% of professionals experience Sunday Scaries, the dread of returning to work after the weekend. Job-related stress, including task uncertainty and unfinished work, fuelled this anxiety, often disrupting sleep and spilling into the workweek. Clear communication, structured planning and assessing recurring patterns are needed to address this.
A high-level committee has recommended a major overhaul of the National Testing Agency's exam process. Proposed changes include computer-based multi-session exams for tests with over 200,000 candidates, test centers in every district, and DigiYatra-like authentication. A multi-stage NEET-UG format and oversight of coaching centers are also suggested. The upcoming NEET-UG structure is expected to be announced this month.
A KPMG report reveals CV discrepancies among Indian jobseekers. One-third of CXO level candidates misrepresented information. Two-thirds of all applicants had inaccuracies. Issues included undisclosed reasons for leaving previous jobs. Discrepancies in employment history were also common. Men often exaggerated job details. Women were more likely to inflate qualifications. The report analyzed over one million resumes.
The final answer key for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024 is out. IIM Calcutta released the key on its website. Candidates can check it using their login details. Results are expected soon. The exam took place on November 24, 2024. Over 2.9 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. The exam had 68 questions this year.
NMC released the NEET UG 2025 syllabus. The syllabus covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. It is available on the NMC website. Aspiring medical students should review the syllabus. Students must prepare using NCERT textbooks and other resources. Practice tests and expert guidance are recommended.
Foreign language proficiency opens diverse career paths. Translation, interpretation, diplomacy, travel, and journalism are popular options. These roles demand not only language expertise but also specialized skills like cultural awareness, writing, and interpersonal abilities. The rise of digital platforms and global opportunities fuels this demand for multilingual professionals.
India's medical entrance exam, NEET-UG, might go digital. The Education and Health Ministries are evaluating online versus offline modes. A final decision will impact over 24 lakh aspirants. The National Testing Agency is prepared for either format. Changes will apply to the 2025 exam. This follows concerns over exam security and potential leaks.
India's tech sector is experiencing a surge in women's participation, projected to grow by 5.5% annually. Organizations are actively recruiting women for leadership roles, with GCC representation expected to reach 35% by 2027. In-demand roles include data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI/ML, and UX/UI design, driven by industry growth and digital transformation.
Navigating the master's degree landscape can be challenging. From clarifying personal goals and considering program formats to assessing financial implications and researching curricula, taking such measures is necessary for informed decision-making.
Harry Potter movie series reveals some surprising career lessons. The iconic trio shows how: Teamwork conquers workplace challenges, Networking opens doors, Mentorship shapes careers, and Overcoming imposter syndrome unlocks potential.
Indian tech companies are rolling out innovative perks like unlimited sick leave, mental health days, and time off for family to attract and retain millennial and Gen Z employees. The trend reflects a shift towards prioritizing work-life balance, mental well-being, and personalized work arrangements to boost productivity and prevent burnout among the younger workforce.
Sbi Clerk Vacancies: The State Bank of India announced 17,735 Junior Associate vacancies. The application period runs from December 17, 2024, to January 7, 2025. Preliminary exams are slated for February 2025, followed by Mains in March/April 2025. Selection involves a two-phase online exam and a local language test. Apply online at bank.sbi/web/careers/current-openings.
Indian companies are leading global AI adoption, with 79% planning budget increases and 45% of employees using AI daily. High confidence in AI's ROI fuels this growth, alongside mandatory AI-use policies and extensive employee training programs, driving career advancements for two-thirds of Indian workers.
AI, analytics, and cloud have been transforming the job market and employees have been upskilling to adapt to Generative AI, findings from Indeed and Nasscom's Future of Work report revealed. While hybrid work has prevailed, but gig work interest has been rising with HR also leveraging AI for recruitment. Employer brand value has remained crucial for attracting and retaining talent.
India's hiring saw a resurgence in Q3 2024 after a slow start. IT, driven by AI/ML, rebounded strongly, with emerging cities like Jaipur and Indore experiencing significant growth. FMCG, Pharma, and Insurance also performed well, while fresher hiring increased in non-IT sectors.
Indian IT services hiring is expected to remain subdued until the second half of FY2026 due to lower tech spending and macroeconomic uncertainty. Reduced attrition and increased employee utilization also contributed to the slowdown. Generative AI's impact on productivity may further moderate future hiring.
Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers explored the secrets to success. He revealed factors like 10,000 hours of skill development, exemplified by the Beatles and Bill Gates. Timing, he highlighted, was critical, as seen with tech visionaries riding the 1970s boom. Finally, supportive communities and families, along with leveraging small advantages, contributed to career success.
India's manufacturing sector witnesses a 5.6% CAGR in contractual worker compensation between FY21 and FY24, driven by inflation and high attrition. The sector faces challenges like skill gaps and gender disparity, particularly impacting women's retention. Upskilling and strategic workforce outsourcing are suggested solutions to address these issues and achieve the $1 trillion valuation goal.
India's evolving workplace, fueled by a young, diverse workforce, is embracing technology for collaboration and flexibility. This shift, driven by Gen Z and millennials, necessitates secure, tech-enabled environments to address the changing demands of a multigenerational, geographically dispersed workforce and project-based work styles.
CAT 2024 results are expected soon, likely between December 18 and 20, based on past trends. Around 2.39 lakh candidates appeared for the exam on November 24. The official notification indicated mid-January 2025, but historical data suggests an earlier release. The scorecard will include overall and sectional scaled scores and percentiles. Check iimcat.ac.