Dubai: While some companies may still be cutting jobs, new vacancies continue to open up in the UAE during the second quarter of the year.
According to data released by Bayt.com, the hiring landscape in the UAE and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region has improved, with employers posting tens of thousands of new jobs.
Between January and June this year, about 20,000 new vacancies were offered by companies based in the UAE alone. In the last three months of the year, at least 37,000 new listings were posted across the Middle East region, representing a nearly 14 per cent increase over the previous quarter.
The latest figures came shortly after a property consultant issued a report highlighting the impact of job losses on Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector. “Job losses continue, with Abu Dhabi banks cutting over 900 jobs in the past 12 months according to the Statistics Centre of Abu Dhabi,” JLL said.
The latest Emirates NBD Purchasing Managers’ Index for the UAE, however, noted that while businesses are optimistic, employment remained “broadly stagnant” in June, with the index declining slightly to 50.4 from 50.7 in May.
Where the opportunities are
Job cuts may be inevitable given the current economic landscape, but according to Suhail Masri, vice president of employer solutions at Bayt.com, there are still new opportunities for candidates who are looking to work in the hospitality, recreation, entertainment, human resources and automotive industries.
In their survey last February, Masri said these industries showed the “highest intention” to hire this year. “Other industries also have significant hiring potential. Nearly 65 per cent of companies surveyed were planning to hire in 2017,” Masri told Gulf News.
As of last month, several companies in the aviation industry, including Etihad, Kuwait Airways and flydubai opened vacancies, including a number of cabin and ground crew positions.
As to which applicants are likely to find a new job this summer, Masri suggested that those who have experience and qualifications in sales, accounting, human resources, marketing, finance, information technology, business development and procurement, among others, are likely to land new roles.
70,000 job listings
The number of vacancies as of June represents a 14 per cent increase over the first three months of 2017. Between January and June, total job postings for the whole Middle East and North Africa region reached 70,000.
“Our data shows a growth in the number of jobs posted online. These jobs are based in the UAE and other countries across the Mena region and these career opportunities belong to many industries, job roles and career levels,” said Masri.
To increase their chances of getting hired, Masri advised applicants to always ensure their CV is updated and ready to go as soon as a new offer opens up. “Jobseekers [are encouraged not just] to apply for these positions but also keep their profiles completed and their CVs updated so that employers can contact them directly for exciting career opportunities,” she said.
