Working in Delhi

As the capital city, New Delhi’s economy is incredibly diverse and welcomes skilled expats in a variety of fields. Whether job seekers are looking for entry-level or graduate posts, freelancing gigs or office-based work, they are likely to find something suitable. Large employers include communication, media, sales and marketing in both the government and big multinational companies.

Job market in Delhi

IT and telecommunications are the major employers in Delhi. As the city grows in affluence, local consumer appetites grow and the its retail industry flourishes. A large proportion of expats hired to work in these industries will be of senior management level, though graduate and entry-level jobs are also available. Contracts are usually fairly short term as the intention is for expats to train local staff to eventually take over those roles.

As the capital of India, Delhi is home to numerous foreign embassies, and diplomats make up a sizeable portion of the expat population in the city. There are also various international organisations and regional UN offices based in the city.

Finance and import/export companies may be more inclined to set up shop in Mumbai, while the real IT heavyweights are often diverted to Bengaluru. Nevertheless, Delhi plays host to both industries and many more, including manufacturing, media, tourism, and there are plenty of opportunities in engineering and design as well.

Expanding the job search to areas surrounding New Delhi broadens a job seeker's options significantly, and jobs in real estate, marketing and the automotive industry can be found in cities such as Noida and Gurgaon.

Finding a job in Delhi

Many foreigners who relocate to Delhi do so through an intra-company transfer. Networking is also important when it comes to the job hunt in Delhi, and having personal contacts who can make useful business connections will no doubt help.

For those without any connections in Delhi, job opportunities can be explored using online job portals, such as Placement India, Monster India and Adzuna. Online resources provide a good overview of the job market and are usually available in English. Companies may also advertise positions on their websites, so it is also worth checking individual company sites as well. 

Recruitment agencies and relocation companies may also be able to assist expats in their search for employment, but they should take care to ensure that the recruitment agency is reputable as recruiters have been known to charge large sums without any results. It's best to go with recommendations from colleagues within the industry and avoid making any payments upfront.

Work culture in Delhi

Expats moving to Delhi to take up a job should make the effort to have at least a basic understanding of Indian culture, especially concerning workplace behaviour.

While company structures are changing as a result of the increasing presence of multinationals, there are still many companies that maintain traditional hierarchical structures. Expats hired to work in top management positions may be expected to give clear instructions to their subordinates rather than expecting people to use their initiative.