Employers focus on digital literacy, communication as hiring intent rises: Report

For jobseekers, knowing what employers are looking for can be just as important as knowing where the jobs are. As companies plan to expand their workforce in the second half of FY27, digital literacy, customer experience, and communication skills have emerged as some of the most sought-after competencies, according to the Employment Outlook Report 2026 key findings.

The report also shows that hiring intent remains strong across several sectors, with e-commerce and tech start-ups, travel and hospitality, and retail recording the highest employment intent. Large enterprises are also more likely to expand their workforce, while Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune lead among cities in hiring intent.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryDIGITAL LITERACY TOPS HIRING PRIORITIESCompetencyEmployers prioritising (%)Digital Literacy58%Customer Experience Management (CX)51%Communication Skills48%Teamwork & Collaboration44%Adaptability44%Market Research & Consumer Insights42%Critical Thinking32%Financial Literacy27%Workplace Agility26%Inventory & Supply Chain Management23%Automation & Digital Tools21%Data Analysis19%Safety & Compliance Awareness16%Machinery & Information Handling15%Emotional Intelligence11%Digital literacy was identified by 58% of employers as a priority competency during workforce expansion in the second half of FY27. Customer Experience Management (CX) followed at 51%, while communication skills were prioritised by 48%.

Teamwork and collaboration and adaptability were each cited by 44% of employers. Market research and consumer insights followed at 42%, while critical thinking stood at 32%.

Financial literacy was prioritised by 27% of employers and workplace agility by 26%. Inventory and supply chain management stood at 23%, followed by automation and digital tools at 21%.

Data analysis was cited by 19% of employers, while safety and compliance awareness stood at 16%. Machinery and information handling was prioritised by 15%, and emotional intelligence by 11%.E-COMMERCE, TRAVEL LEAD EMPLOYMENT SURGE

E-commerce and tech start-ups recorded the highest employment intent, with a Net Employment Change (NEC) of 12.6%. Travel and hospitality followed at 12.3%, while retail stood at 10.3%.

Automotive recorded a 10.1% NEC, followed by EV and EV infrastructure at 9.7% and banking at 9.2%.LARGE ENTERPRISES SHOW HIGHER HIRING INTENT

Hiring intent also varied according to organisational size. About 66% of large enterprises planned to expand their workforce, compared with 59% of medium-sized enterprises.

Start-ups, micro and small businesses recorded a workforce expansion intent of 53%. At the city level, Bengaluru recorded the highest hiring intent at 68%, followed by Hyderabad at 61% and Pune at 60%. Pune recorded the largest gain in hiring intent during this half-year.- EndsREAD | Bengaluru leads hiring expansion at 68% as employers seek more talent: Report