foundit Career Reset Survey 2027: 68% of professionals plan a job switch

The online jobs platform foundit released its Career Reset Survey 2027, reported on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, which found that 68.4% of the 9,951 Indian professionals it surveyed intend to actively look for a new job in 2027. More than half of all respondents, 51.6%, said they would expect a salary rise of at least 31% to move, and 20.4% expect a rise of more than 50%. The survey also found that 67% are actively upgrading their skills, and that 94.1% believe they could find a good job if they needed to.

A survey like this measures intentions, not actual job changes, but it is a useful reading of the mood among Indian professionals going into the 2027 appraisal and hiring season. Two out of three respondents say they will look around, and most of those who would move want a large pay rise to do it. For employers, that points to pressure on salaries and to the risk of losing experienced staff. For job seekers, it signals a competitive year in which many others will be applying for the same openings.

The pay figures are the most striking part. A hike of 31% or more is far above a routine annual increment, and one in five respondents wants more than 50%. The survey's finding that 94.1% feel confident of finding a good job suggests that most respondents see the market as being in their favour, at least in their own field. Whether employers agree will show up in actual offers over the coming months.

The upskilling numbers matter for anyone thinking about a tech career. Two-thirds of respondents say they are already learning new skills, and a further 15.2% recognise the need but have not acted. In a job market where technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) tools that automate parts of office work, is changing what employers ask for, the gap between those who are building new skills and those who are not is likely to shape who gets the better offers. The survey's low figures for job security (7%) and manager or culture (2.7%) as main reasons to move suggest that, for most people, the decision is about pay and growth rather than escaping a bad workplace.

Peepals calculation: Applied to the 9,951 respondents, 68.4% is about 6,806 people planning to look for a new job, and 51.6% is about 5,135 people expecting a hike of 31% or more, of whom roughly 2,030 (20.4%) want more than 50%. Adding the 67% who are upskilling and the 15.2% who see its value gives 82.2% who at least recognise the need for new skills. Our calculation from the reported figures.

Short-term: Companies may face more resignations and higher counter-offers in early 2027, and recruiters may see more applications per opening. Candidates who expect very large hikes may find that not every offer meets them.

Long-term: If the push to upskill continues, the Indian workforce could become better prepared for jobs that use AI and other new tools, while people who do not upskill may find it harder to move.

Who is affected: Salaried professionals planning their next move; students and freshers entering the job market; employers and human resources teams; and recruiters and job platforms.

Questions and Answers