Infosys Mobilizes Employee Referrals to Accelerate Lateral Hiring
Infosys, the Bengaluru-based software giant and India’s second-largest IT exporter, has turned to its own workforce to fuel a broader hiring push. In an internal drive, the company is urging employees to refer candidates for a wide range of open roles across its India development centres. The move signals a renewed emphasis on lateral hiring, as Infosys seeks to fill positions that span engineering, data intelligence, and technology architecture, among others.
What makes this initiative notable is the explicit cash incentive structure tied to successful referrals. Employees can earn Rs 10,000 for referrals that convert to hires at job level 3, Rs 25,000 for closures at job level 4, Rs 35,000 at level 5, and a substantial Rs 50,000 for openings at level 6. This tiered rewards system underscores Infosys’ intent to accelerate the recruitment pipeline by leveraging internal networks and trusted referrals.
The Roles and Regions Targeted
The vacancies are spread across multiple development centres throughout India, including Delhi/NCR, Pune, Noida, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Mysuru, Chandigarh, and Hubballi. The roles cover a diverse set of disciplines such as VOIP engineering, data analytics, data science, solution design, blockchain development, Java development, network design, aerospace engineering, specialist programming, and technology architecture. Experience requirements vary by position, with some roles calling for two-three years and others demanding 13-15 years of experience.
Infosys has also outlined a preference for candidates with strong academic credentials and degrees such as BE, ME, MCA, or MSc. The company stated that candidates who have appeared for Infosys selection processes in the past six months would not be considered, signaling a desire to refresh the candidate pool and give opportunities to those who meet current criteria.
Why This Matters in a Shifting Hiring Landscape
The move arrives amid a broader industry backdrop where peers are recalibrating hiring strategies. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys’ rival and the sector’s largest player, reportedly paused lateral hiring after onboarding about 650 people last month, juxtaposed against a backdrop of about 12,000 job cuts. In late 2023 and early 2024, Indian IT majors navigated tariff uncertainties and shifting client demand, and the current period reflects a consolidation phase where selective hiring could indicate confidence in demand and project execution momentum.
Industry observers view employee referral programs as efficient avenues to access qualified talent, reduce time-to-fill, and improve retention by integrating hires who already possess institutional knowledge and a cultural fit. By coupling referrals with clear financial incentives, Infosys reinforces a mechanism to fast-track critical roles without overhauling traditional recruitment processes.
Commentary from Within
Employees quoted in discussions around the initiative described it as a rare, targeted push that comes with back-to-back communications endorsing referrals to fill a long list of vacancies. Infosys, when contacted, indicated it is currently in a silent period and could not comment further on the program. The approach aligns with a broader talent strategy focusing on speed and quality as the company prepares for upcoming quarterly disclosures and client demand cycles.
What This Means for Candidates and the Market
For job seekers, internal referrals can often translate into shorter interview cycles and improved odds of selection, particularly for roles requiring specialized expertise like data science, blockchain, or enterprise integration. For competitors and the broader market, Infosys’ referral drive highlights the ongoing demand for experienced technology professionals who can design, implement, and optimize complex systems across finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecom sectors.
As Infosys positions itself ahead of its Q2FY26 results announcement, the company and its peers are navigating a dynamic environment where project momentum and demand drivers influence hiring decisions. With a mix of fresh campus hires and seasoned lateral moves, the Indian IT ecosystem remains resilient, adapting to client needs and technological shifts while balancing cost, capability, and capacity.
Conclusion
Infosys’ employee referral push, backed by tangible cash incentives, marks a strategic effort to accelerate talent acquisition in a competitive market. By targeting a broad spectrum of roles across many Indian centres and establishing clear reward tiers, the company is signaling confidence in demand and an emphasis on rapid, high-quality hiring. Whether this recruitment gambit translates into sustained growth will depend on client pipelines, project execution, and the industry’s evolving structure in the coming quarters.
