Saturday, November 19 2005 15:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: If you are a non-ITian and in search of a job, here is some thing to cheer about.

Perhaps for the first time in the recent past, the job market in the country is kind to talented people who hold degrees in non-information technology disciplines.

According to industry pundits, companies across the spectrum are actively looking out for quality talent at entry levels and domestic BPOs have sprung across the country to support banking, financial services, consumer durables, telecom, travel, construction, engineering and biotech industries.

"This is just the beginning. Offshore BPOs are hiring over a lakh employees every year. Considering that the industries which hire such professionals have a small pie of the global business, and that the shortage of quality talent is very acute, these trends are likely to continue for a number of years," K Padiya Rajan, Managing Director, Ma Foi Management Consultants Ltd, told sources.

With the fast growth of banking, insurance and health sectors, industry is opening up to the graduates of commerce, social sciences and humanities. Consumer industries are also struggling to find frontline sales people to aid their growth plans. At any given second, there should be more than a lakh jobs chasing people, adds Rajan.

According to analysts, in terms of absolute number of people required, frontline sales jobs have maximum scope to employ the largest number of non-IT/non-professional graduates.

One interesting aspect is the resurgence of opportunities for doctorate/Ph.D holders. Engineering services, statistical modeling, bio sciences, electronics are some streams where quality talent is actively sought out.

Even abroad, Indian Ph.ds holders are in good demand. African countries such as Eritrea and Ethiopia are offering many openings for Indian Ph.ds, according to the head of a leading placement agency here.

While English, Commerce and Economics top the list of opportunies abroad in humanities and social sciences, disciplines like International Relations, Political Science and History are also catching up, according to sources.

"Third world countries are spending a lot on education now. With its reputation as a hub of learning, Indian Ph.Ds stand to gain in international job market," said Prof R L Hangloo of University of Hyderabad.