The Indian job market seems to be hitting a low, slowly and steadily. Ahead of the economic gloom, more and more companies have frozen their hiring process.

"There's a bloodbath across industries. The job market has gone down by 20% to 25% over one year, with entry- and mid-level jobs hit the hardest," says Shiv Agrawal, managing director, ABC Consultants.

"The next two quarters will be very difficult," adds Sudhakar Balakrishnan, managing director, Adecco India. "I will not be surprised if quarter four (October-December) is the worst in the past two years."

Factors like across-the board slowdown, declining rupee value, tremulous political scenario, ambiguities on policies and a poor investment climate are to blamed for the slowdown of job market.

"While no sector is invulnerable to the slowdown, the worst-affected sectors are automobiles, BFSI, manufacturing, telecom, infrastructure and information technology," reveals report.

(AW: Suchorita Dutta)