UAE jobs: Real estate top draw for graduates - but there are surprises too

Dubai: The real estate and construction sectors in the UAE are now the top sectors creating job opportunities for new graduates in the UAE – that’s according to findings from LinkedIn.

There’s another sector that’s top in offering a career for newbies – that’s in the equipment rental business. That might come out as a left-field choice because equipment rental has traditionally been a space where years of experience matter in winning contracts. But if UAE’s newly graduated jobseekers are finding roles in this industry, all the better.

That real estate and construction figure prominently will be no surprise. The property market continues its significant growth in Dubai and elsewhere in the UAE, and it has been an industry that’s been pulling in newer recruits from the country’s colleges.

But, according to LinkedIn, the ‘real challenge for jobseekers lies in targeting the right jobs - 76% of HR professionals and talent acquisition leaders in the UAE report receiving significantly more job applications compared to last year’.

That’s been a point recruitment consultants have been talking about, that there are just too many of qualified professionals seeking a career in the UAE. The resident base increasing has been a prime reason, with many even willing to ‘downsize’ their ambitions to get a foot through the door in finding a job. Even a temporary position.

The technology industry continues to be a strong draw for new graduates, as well as media (primarily digital).

“While technology, information and media ranks as the fifth fastest growing industry, it dominates the talent demand with AI engineers and full-stack engineers among the most rapidly expanding job titles,” according to LinkedIn. This highlights the ‘critical intersection of industry growth and specialized technical expertise’.

The UAE construction sector has been in a hiring mode for the better part of two years, and the fact that new grads are finding positions in the industry is a welcome development. In the past, HR managers have preferred candidates with some experience rather than raw entrants. It could be that the sheer number of new projects and need for newer skillsets is helping graduates' cause.

Such is the demand for specialized roles in construction that roles such as 'planning engineers' now rank as the 'second fastest growing job title in the UAE', according to LinkedIn.

Another major hiring of graduates is coming from UAE government administration and administrative and support services.

When it comes to fastest growing job titles, the picks for new graduates are easy to guess.

AI engineers tops the list, while planning engineers and learning support assistants follow.

There is also a fair bit of interest for ‘full-stack’ engineers, as well as marketing coordinators.

More to follow...