In 2023, India's job market underwent a substantial transformation, as Tier 2 cities took center stage, dominating the employment landscape. This shift fueled a notable increase in job applications across various sectors, according to a recent finding by the job and professional networking platform apna.co. 

According to the report, this shift redefined the dynamics of the job industry, with over 100 applications received every minute from Tier 2 and 3 cities in 2023.  

The Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities have witnessed a remarkable salary increase of 22 per cent, outpacing the 15 per cent average rise seen in metropolitan areas. This change signals a new era where these cities are competing on equal footing with larger metros, demonstrating that job opportunities and growth are no longer limited by location, the report highlighted. 

The job market in Tier 2 and 3 cities has experienced substantial growth, both in terms of quantity and diversity of roles and industries. There has been a remarkable tenfold increase in managerial job postings across various fields, including sales support, enterprise sales, advertising, real estate, inside sales, brand and marketing, and e-commerce. This expansion underscores the widening array of career opportunities now accessible in these cities, the report added. 

Nirmit Parikh, founder and CEO, apna.co, said, “Applications pouring in from women in Tier 2/3 cities, totaling 1 Crore, in Non-Metropolitan Areas, marks a seismic shift. The surge reflects the unstoppable rise of women in reshaping our workforce. This momentum is not just a statistic; it's a loud declaration of women claiming their space in the professional arena.” 

The platform observed that the job market in Tier 2 and 3 cities is experiencing a notable shift towards embracing freshers, with 60 per cent of job postings specifically targeting newcomers to the workforce.  

The surge in job applications, particularly from women in these cities, at a rate of over 100 per minute, signifies a turning point in workforce dynamics. Notably, 80 per cent of these applications are for office-based roles, showcasing women's eagerness to engage physically in the workplace, emphasising their commitment to professional development and career growth. 

Another report released by the company found that women jobseekers last year showed a high demand for positions in the BFSI, Telecom, and e-commerce sectors, with a significant preference for work-from-home opportunities. 

This translates to an impressive rate of 44 applications every minute. Notably, there was a 40 per cent increase in the number of women with graduate degrees or diplomas registered with the platform to apply for these roles compared to 2022. 

The platform reported significant growth in its user base, with 6.7 million of the 13.8 million women users coming from Tier 2 cities in 2023. 

Bengaluru-based Apna.co is backed by investor firms, including Peak XV Partners, Insight Partners, Lightspeed India, Tiger Global, etc.   

The professional networking platform reported an operating revenue of Rs 180.2 crore in the financial year 2022-23 (FY23), marking a 182 per cent increase from Rs 63.8 crore in the previous fiscal year. Its revenue from operations surged nearly 3X in the financial year ended March 31, 2023.