The UAE has one of the most dynamic and competitive job markets in the region, fueled by factors such as a successful economic diversification strategy, a unique ‘smart city’ vision, and political stability. Finding and landing the right job here thus requires a lot of patience, persistence, and preparation. Below are some tips to make the job hunt more organized and focused and help you get the interview that will act as a stepping stone to a fruitful career within the Arab World.
1 – If you don’t have a job then it’s your job to find a job.
If you do not have a job but want to get hired then you need to understand that you already have a job. YOUR JOB IS TO FIND A JOB. Your job is to put in eight hours a day in finding a job. That means getting your CV and profile on all of the applicable job portals. It means applying for as many jobs as possible where your skills and/or experience will be of value to the company. A lot of recruitment happens online, with people searching for specific skills and experience. Approaching anyone and asking them to find you a job or pass on your CV is very unlikely to be effective.
You have a much higher chance statistically speaking if you broadcast yourself on all of the different websites; Linkedin, Naukri, Monster, Dubizzle, etc. And apply to employers who are looking for someone exactly like you, rather than passing on your CV to someone you know.
2 – Get into your field.
The new job which you are looking for can be very dependent on what you are currently doing. Recruiters typically will check what your current job is, or what your last employment was. Employers base a big part of their decision on the past and current experiences of candidates, and if you are working outside of your desired field then it will be difficult to convince employers to take you on board. Get into your preferred field early even if you accept a lower salary; it will pay off in the long term.
3 – Apply for each job individually.
Consider each job application as completely different. Do not just copy and paste the same CV to each application. It will make a big difference if you highlight the skills, experience and knowledge in your CV that will be important for the job which you are applying for. It really helps to be a niche player so don’t worry about pigeonholing yourself into a specific role.
4 – Get to know the company in detail before going for the interview.
In this market, the fact that someone is calling you for an interview is a great sign that you are a good fit. Don’t squander this opportunity by not being well-informed, especially when so much information is readily available and most companies are broadcasting themselves. I suggest you at least find out the following information: What is the company’s main line of business? How did it get started? Are the founders still involved? How are different aspects of the wider economy affecting the company? Is the position part of the main division of the organization or a new initiative? It will make a big difference if you know the answers to all of these questions and you will be able to present yourself in a much more concise way.
5 – Be real during the interview.
I feel that this needs to be said because it is a big mistake I see many people make; they are not honest and most people can see straight through it. I believe strongly that hard work pays off, and if you have the skills and experience needed for the job then it will really shine through. Most people make the mistake of agreeing to take on any type of job responsibility and saying they can do everything. Focus on your strengths and the work you are happy doing. Understand that you will be delivering real value and the work you will be doing will make a big difference to the organization you join.
In my few short years of working in HR and recruitment, I have seen 95 percent of people get hired by applying some or all of the above tips. Knowing someone in the organization or having a friend refer you will not necessarily make the chances of finding a job higher; in fact, the opposite is typically true. All companies want to hire the person who will be the best fit for the position. Don’t waste your time emailing your CV to relatives and friends thinking that they will have the power and influence to get you hired, and even if they do you will most likely find yourself overqualified for the job you do get.
Article written by Zak Ibbini – Director, Alpha Data Recruitment
