Indian professionals are entering 2026 with heightened ambition to change jobs, even as concerns grow about keeping pace with rapid technological change, according to new research released by LinkedIn.
The study found that 72 per cent of professionals in India are actively seeking new roles this year, reflecting strong career mobility. However, preparedness remains uneven: 38 per cent cited rapid technological shifts as a key challenge, while 37 per cent said they are unsure how to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive job market.
Against this backdrop, LinkedIn has unveiled its Jobs on the Rise 2026 list, identifying roles experiencing the fastest growth across major cities. In Hyderabad, AI Engineer has emerged as the top-growing position, reinforcing the city’s status as a technology and innovation hub.
Other roles seeing strong growth in Hyderabad include Marketing Strategist, Solutions Analyst, Vice President – Business Strategy, and Human Resources Representative, pointing to demand across marketing, strategy, analytics and people functions. The data suggests that Hyderabad’s employment landscape is expanding beyond traditional technology roles into a more diversified, multi-sector ecosystem.
Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert and Senior Managing Editor, LinkedIn India News, said the city’s evolving job market favours professionals who can adapt quickly and demonstrate real-world impact. She noted that candidates who combine AI literacy with domain expertise, showcase outcomes through project-based work, and remain flexible in their roles are better positioned as hiring activity broadens into areas such as marketing, analytics and consulting.
The research also highlights mixed sentiment around AI’s growing role in recruitment. While 94 per cent of Indian professionals said they are comfortable using AI tools in their job search, nearly 48 per cent remain uncertain about how to stand out when AI is involved in hiring decisions. More than half (54%) believe AI can make it harder to get noticed by recruiters, even as 65 per cent acknowledge its potential to improve communication between candidates and employers.
LinkedIn said its expanding suite of AI-powered tools aims to address these concerns. Its AI-driven job search feature allows users to discover opportunities using natural language, helping them surface roles they may not have considered earlier. The tool is being rolled out globally across multiple languages, including English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.
According to LinkedIn, more than 1.3 million members worldwide now use the feature daily, with over 25 million weekly searches conducted through the new experience. The platform’s job match feature further supports candidates by assessing how well their skills align with open roles.
Source – https://www.bwpeople.in/article/hyderabad-emerges-as-a-hiring-hotspot-linkedin-590424