You’ve heard of quiet quitting — but now IT companies are quietly hiring.
Quiet hiring is a subtle workforce strategy where companies fill skill gaps without formally hiring new employees. Instead of recruiting externally, they:
It’s a smart, cost-effective approach that’s gaining momentum, especially in India’s tech industry.
1. Rising Hiring Costs
With average onboarding costs increasing, especially in metro cities, IT companies are seeking smarter alternatives.
2. Project-Based Needs
Not every project needs a permanent hire. Quiet hiring allows firms to scale specific skills on demand, without expanding the core team.
3. Hiring Freezes and Economic Uncertainty
Global IT firms are dealing with layoffs and tight budgets. Quiet hiring lets them stay productive without adding full-time salary burdens.
4. Fast Skill Evolution
With AI, cybersecurity, and cloud platforms evolving rapidly, companies prefer internal mobility over hiring new employees who require onboarding and training.
All these are examples of quiet hiring in action.
The Good:
The Not-So-Good:
That’s why transparency and rewards are key to making quiet hiring a win-win for both company and employee.
You don’t always need to job-hop to grow — sometimes, quiet doors open within your own team.
Have you ever been assigned a project outside your official role without being formally moved?
Would you embrace quiet hiring if it led to faster growth?
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of this growing workplace trend
Quiet hiring is a subtle workforce strategy where companies fill skill gaps without formally hiring new employees. Instead of recruiting externally, they:
- Shift current employees into new roles
- Bring in temporary contractors
- Outsource small tasks to freelancers
- Upskill existing staff for internal transfers
It’s a smart, cost-effective approach that’s gaining momentum, especially in India’s tech industry.
Why Are IT Companies Using This Tactic?
1. Rising Hiring Costs
With average onboarding costs increasing, especially in metro cities, IT companies are seeking smarter alternatives.
2. Project-Based Needs
Not every project needs a permanent hire. Quiet hiring allows firms to scale specific skills on demand, without expanding the core team.
3. Hiring Freezes and Economic Uncertainty
Global IT firms are dealing with layoffs and tight budgets. Quiet hiring lets them stay productive without adding full-time salary burdens.
4. Fast Skill Evolution
With AI, cybersecurity, and cloud platforms evolving rapidly, companies prefer internal mobility over hiring new employees who require onboarding and training.
Real-Life Examples from the Indian IT Sector
- Mid-level engineers in Cognizant are being trained in AI and shifted to NLP-based project teams without formal re-hiring.
- HCL and Tech Mahindra assign high-performing interns full-time responsibilities before officially absorbing them.
- TCS uses shadow assignments — where employees silently support another team while still reporting to their home team.
- Startups are hiring freelance tech writers and QA testers per project, without opening formal positions.
All these are examples of quiet hiring in action.
How Quiet Hiring Affects Employees
The Good:
- Opportunity to explore new roles
- Pathway to faster promotions
- Enhanced visibility to senior leaders
- Skill diversification
The Not-So-Good:
- Can lead to confusion if not communicated well
- May feel like extra work without formal recognition
- Can result in burnout if boundaries are unclear
That’s why transparency and rewards are key to making quiet hiring a win-win for both company and employee.
What Should You Do as a Job Seeker or Intern?
- Show flexibility and willingness to take on side projects
- Communicate your interests in areas beyond your current role
- Upskill in trending areas like DevOps, AI, or cloud platforms
- Network within your company — your next opportunity may be internal!
You don’t always need to job-hop to grow — sometimes, quiet doors open within your own team.
Invitation to Discussion:
Have you ever been assigned a project outside your official role without being formally moved?
Would you embrace quiet hiring if it led to faster growth?
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of this growing workplace trend
