Purpose: This study aims to examine the transitions in hiring criteria by recruiting companies in top ten Quacquarelli Symonds ranked business schools in India during the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: Using an exploratory lens, an in-depth semistructured interview was conducted with 20 recruiting companies across industries and roles. Findings: Content analysis suggests the changing preferences in hiring criteria and identifies six themes that have assumed importance during the pandemic period. Research limitations/implications: This study has implications for business school participants who need to change their preparation strategy during the placement season. Practical implications: There is an opportunity for business schools to focus on these two soft skills, namely, self-management with self-discipline and oral and written communication across the platform. However, in the depth and diversity of soft skills training, there is often a shallow coverage of multiple skills. The rather focused approach to developing these two skills may go a long way in preparing work-delivery graduates who could hit the proverbial ground running as the first step into their careers. Originality/value: This study contributes to hiring managers by suggesting the traits that may assume importance in the new normal where remote or hybrid working context is a necessity. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Author Keywords
Index Keywords
