Reversing back the sluggish trend witnessed in the previous month, positive hiring activity was witnessed across all key industry sectors in January over December 2011.

The Naukri Job Speak index - an indicator of online job demand -- for January 2012 stood at 1,121, which is 4 per cent higher than the December 2011 index and 16 per cent more than the January 2011 index.

On year-over-year basis, barring ITeS and construction, all the other key industry sectors witnessed double digit percentage hikes in their hiring activity.

"With the beginning of the new year, the recruitment scenario seems to be moving in a positive direction," Info Edge India CEO and MD Hitesh Oberoi said.

Oberoi, however, said, "this year, firms will be more particular about recruiting the right talent and employees who can make meaningful contributions to the firm."

Naukri.com is a part of the Info Edge Group.

A sectorwise analysis shows that ITeS, oil & gas and telecom witnessed the strongest hiring trends, where recruitment improved by 19 per cent, 18 per cent and 16 per cent respectively, the report said.

Recruitment activity in construction and pharma sectors has been stable when compared to last month, while the IT and banking sectors witnessed just 3 per cent upward movement in hiring activity in January 2012 over December 2011.

City-wise, Delhi maintained strong hiring trends where hiring improved by 10 per cent compared to the previous month, followed by Bengalore (9 per cent), Chennai (8 per cent).