If hiring is based mainly on a candidate's qualifications, those with a degree in business or engineering-related fields have an edge over other jobseekers in the region.
One in four employers (25 per cent) in the Middle East is looking to fill positions with graduates and postgraduates in business management.
In the UAE, 27 per cent prefer the same qualification, while an almost equal number of employers (26 per cent) would like to see engineering graduates and postgraduates joining their organisation.
Those are some of the findings of the recent Middle East Job Index Survey conducted by Bayt.com in conjunction with YouGov Siraj.
The survey found that commerce degree holders are also in demand, with 22 per cent of companies seeking them to fill positions. Applicants who speak both English and Arabic, are being sought after by an overwhelming number of employers (63 per cent).
At the bottom of UAE employers' lists are candidates with qualifications in hospitality, teaching, psychology, social science, statistics and law.
However, job prospects still await the least preferred degree holders in other parts of the region such as Lebanon, where hospitality qualifications are a significant consideration for 13 per cent of the employers, and in Bahrain, where 15 per cent are looking for teaching qualifications.
The study was conducted to gauge perceptions of job availability and hiring, and to identify job trends in the Middle East. While the job index indicates that graduates with certain degrees and Arabic-English speaking skills are in high demand, job seekers who don't meet the criteria should not be discouraged.
Industry experts said getting the right person for the job is crucial, so employers always look beyond formal qualifications when recruiting a new member of the team.
"This doesn't mean that candidates with other backgrounds, skills and qualifications will have a hard time landing a job. Many factors influence a manager's hiring decision, including the relevance, quality and depth of past experience, hunger for and demonstration of professional excellence," Lama Ataya, Bayt.com's chief marketing officer, told Gulf News.
Experience
"Academic and educational backgrounds and qualifications should always be complemented by a set of hard and soft skills and a certain experience level that employers look for, which varies depending on the specific position being filled," she said.
Rory Hendrikz, director for business school Ashridge Middle East, pointed out that a good set of qualifications is not a guaranteed ticket to success.
"In any market, professional qualifications are always important, but it is equally important to recognise that qualifications on their own are not a guarantee for success. Ideally, a strong candidate for employment is someone who combines experience and a proven track record of achievement along with relevant qualifications."
Bayt.com's research found that employers in the region also consider interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills when sizing up applicants.
With regard to personal traits of candidates, more than half (52 per cent) of employers prefer those who are cooperative, helpful, flexible and have the ability to perform as a team player. Good leadership skills and the ability to work under pressure are important traits for 47 per cent of UAE employers.
In terms of experience, 38 per cent of UAE employers expect candidates to have excellent managerial skills and the ability to manage a team. In addition, 29 per cent cited computer skills and administrative skills as important.
"The UAE remains a highly cosmopolitan and well-connected hub that is an important economic player on a pan-regional scale, as such the demand for highly professional (individuals) with a competitive edge in terms of both hard and soft skills remains healthy and robust," said Ataya.
Invest time in training for a strong resume
Job hunting is not only tough, it gets tougher if you don't have the necessary skills and education required by most employers.
If you're a fresh graduate or a career-changer, you know exactly what it's like to fight the underqualified level, especially in a dynamic and highly competitive job market like the UAE. Recruitment experts advise that if you want to pursue a job that you have no proven track record or formal qualification, consider investing in training to strengthen your resume.
"Professionals are well advised to always work on self-improvement and self-development by resorting to training, seminars, workshops, conferences and self-reading to further meet the job market requirements and increase one's competitiveness, skillset and consequently chances of finding a job," advised Lama Ataya of Bayt.com.
"Jobseekers should keep in mind that very few skills are innate — most are acquired through hard work and the willingness to invest in learning continuously and challenging oneself," she added.
