As hiring in the UAE gathers pace, it provides a great opportunity for the country to shake off some old practices that have plagued the regional job market.
Employment is buoyant in the UAE as it bounces back strongly from the pandemic, while the economy is benefiting from rising revenues as a major exporter of oil. Economic growth is forecast at 7% for 2022, according to local bank Emirates NBD.
A strong economic outlook is likely to encourage more workers to target the UAE for their next move, adding to the growing number of expats who already represent around 90% of the population.
Weak ties are more likely to lead to a job opportunity than strong ties
Global magnet
A global magnet for foreign talent, the UAE ranks fifth in the world for total talent inflow, according to a recent report by LinkedIn in partnership with the Ministry of Economy.
‘The job market in the UAE is extremely buoyant, which is a result of several factors – progressive Covid-related policies stimulating tourism and international travel earlier than other regions, and strong underpinning economic catalysts,’ says Adam Man Cheung, senior director at Michael Page, Middle East.
To land a role in the UAE there are plenty of Western and local recruitment agencies operating in the country, and many are enjoying booming business. For example, Page says it is ‘firmly on track to finish 2022 with record revenues’ for the Middle East.
There is also LinkedIn, which has become an increasingly important job-hunting platform in the Middle East. A recent study by researchers from Stanford, MIT, Harvard and LinkedIn highlighted the importance of ‘weak ties’ in helping candidates land a job.
The researchers said that weak ties – infrequent, arm's length relationships – are more likely to lead to a job opportunity than strong ties. In other words, an acquaintance is twice as likely to help you in your search than a close friend.
The study, conducted over a five-year period, found that 50-80% of all jobs are filled through networking, while around 70% of available jobs are not even posted on public platforms, using personal connections instead.
'The clients we work with are primarily meritocratic and focus on talent and cultural fit'
Power of wasta
When it comes to personal connections, the waters are muddied in the Middle East by a concept known as ‘wasta’. This loosely translates as the use of personal connections to get hired or succeed in business.
At times, this is alleged to have taken the form of nepotism and several cases have been reported across the Middle East. While historically accepted in the region, some governments have been taking steps to clamp down on the negative aspects of wasta.
For example, Saudi Arabia says it has administered multiple initiatives to increase governance in this area. In Kuwait, it has been reported that the government is also tackling these types of activity.
In the UAE, recruiters play down the use of wasta. ‘I don’t think it’s a problem, and it exists in every country globally, not just the Middle East,’ says Rak Sudra, talent acquisition management consultant at Handpicked Recruitment. Page’s Man Cheung adds: ‘I personally feel that the clients we work with are primarily meritocratic and focus on talent and cultural fit, above anything else.’
Rak also strongly disagrees with the weak ties findings from the LinkedIn survey. ‘Personal connections are incredibly important, especially when navigating the thousands of candidates who apply for roles in a tax-free economy. As many as 90% of candidates are unsuitable for the roles for which they apply,’ he adds.
Connect and network
Man Cheung also stresses that personal connections and networking remain a pivotal focal point in the UAE. ‘The market is saturated with many recruiters, candidates and clients, and those with relationships and endorsements through their network will certainly benefit.’
The problem is when the use of these personal connections crosses the line. According to recent media reports, the Dubai head of a global advisory firm recently resigned from the firm after a wave of allegations of nepotism and cronyism, highlighting the negative side of wasta.
Rak does admit that Middle East recruitment practices are less regulated, both legally and operationally, when compared to Western ones. However, in a buoyant market, those with the right combination of professional and soft skills, and the right experience, are sure to find their niche.
Top tips for getting the job you want
- Build up your personal brand. While networking is a must-have skill, it’s not just about making contacts or increasing your followers. You can have thousands of LinkedIn connections, but if you never update your CV or contribute to discussions, you’re unlikely to catch the eye of a recruiter or future.
- Sharpen your soft skills. None of us are are born great leaders or communicators, says recruitment firm Michael Page. Those described as such have usually spent years honing their skills, learning from their mistakes, and listening carefully to feedback from their managers and peers.
- Develop your professional skills. Be prepared to learn something new every day, especially in this age of technology and rapid innovation. The moment you stop learning is the moment you start to lose value as a prospective candidate.
- Set some specific goals. Consider where you want to be career-wise, and how much you want to be earning in a few years’ time. With clear goals, you can draw up a career roadmap and acquire additional skills and qualifications that add value.
