Careers UAE opens with huge promise

Dubai: Thousands of Emiratis are looking to impress the UAE's top employers this week as they seek to break into an increasingly competitive job market.

Dozens of companies, in both the public and private sector, have opened their doors to prospective candidates as part of the 11th edition of Careers UAE.

The annual trade exhibition, which was officially inaugurated yesterday by Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler, gives UAE nationals the chance to impress senior managers representing companies from a wide range of industries including the oil and gas, aviation and banking sectors.

Rashid Al Harmoodi, Assistant Manager of Communications at Mubadala, said their main focus was on candidates with a background in science and engineering.

"As Abu Dhabi continues to diversify its economy, new industries are created and more job opportunities become available," he said.

"For example, around 500 jobs will be created in the aerospace sector over the next 5-10 years at the Strata manufacturing plant in Al Ain. Furthermore, Yahsat's Y1A satellite launches at the end of this month, which will lead to more jobs for UAE nationals in the ICT sector," he added.

Wide variety

Around 40 per cent of employees at Mubadala Development, a strategic investment company owned by the Abu Dhabi Government, are UAE nationals.

Obaid Bunowas Al Ketbi, Programmes Manager at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development, said a wide variety of job opportunities existed for UAE nationals at Dubai Government, which incorporates a range of entities including Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Courts and Dubai Health Authority.

"We are looking for candidates to fill positions in human resources, finance, statistics and IT. We judge each applicant on their individual merits but we are specifically looking for people with good managerial and communications skills," Al Ketbi said.

"There are many benefits to working for Dubai Government. The hours are very flexible and employees enjoy a great work/life balance," he added.

Etisalat, the UAE's largest telecommunications company by market value, also had a presence at the fair with a view to filling more than 100 job vacancies.

"We are targeting both fresh graduates and experienced professionals," said Alia Al Muhairi, Managing Consultant in Performance and Development at etisalat.

"Etisalat is an international brand with a presence in 18 countries across the globe and the careers fair offers job seekers a golden chance to join our corporation.

"We are offering immediate interviews on the spot in disciplines such as engineering, finance, sales and human resources. Last year, we filled more than 100 vacancies and our target at this year's event is to improve on that figure," she added.

Thousands of UAE Nationals attended the opening day armed with CV's and resumès to distribute among exhibitors totalling more than 135 across 11 industry sectors.

Online application

Noora Sherooke, 24 and her friend Fatima Hassan, 20, said the fair was a good idea but both were disappointed not to have been offered an interview. "It has been a worthwhile trip as several companies have taken my CV but I have yet to secure an interview," Noora said.

"I feel a bit disappointed overall but I will keep trying because I really want to work in a bank and become a successful businesswoman," Fatima added.

Shakir Aal Mohammad, 34, said the careers fair was a big disappointment because most companies said he should apply for vacancies online.

"What is the point of opening all these stands if we are just going to be told to apply online?" he said. "The newspaper and radio adverts said to bring your CV but some companies will not accept them; I do not hold out much hope of being offered an interview today," he added.

Are you looking forward to meeting potential employers? How effective do you think career fairs are? What are you hoping to get from the fair?