JobXDubai

As the UAE job market continues to show resilience and growth in 2024, professionals within the region are expressing a strong preference to secure new employment opportunities. A LinkedIn survey reveals a substantial inclination towards staying within the regional boundaries of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with an emphasis on better compensation and a healthier work-life balance as catalysts for job changes within the year.

Despite an affinity for the Gulf region over the prospects of moving to Europe or North America, a notable portion of the workforce is contemplating residential shifts in response to the escalating rental market. This sentiment echoes the considerations of 82 percent of survey participants, who underscore the region’s standard of living, lifestyle allure, and professional development prospects as core factors in this preference.

In a remarkable show of market strength, the UAE flaunted a 0.3 percent year-over-year growth in hiring rates, demonstrating a 30 percent rise since pre-pandemic levels. This environment is giving rise to a job seeker’s market where 62 percent of surveyed professionals are actively seeking or poised to search for new job roles, motivated by aspirations for enhanced salaries (42 percent) and a longing for better work-life synergy (33 percent).

The price surge in rentals, however, isn’t going unnoticed as it influences 73 percent of the UAE and KSA workforce to consider relocating—a move opening up conversations about the significance of affordable accommodation in talent retention.

Professionals within the UAE labor market are also acknowledging the growing value of skills over degrees, with 83 percent emphasizing skillsets in their job hunt. Furthermore, commitment to continuous improvement is pronounced, with 76 percent willing to tackle challenging projects to broaden their capabilities and 72 percent dedicating time to online learning for career advancement.

The drive to future-proof their professional journey is evident among 84 percent of UAE workers who are concentrating on skill-building. Meanwhile, 79 percent of professionals in KSA exude confidence in navigating new job interviews, with 78 percent feeling equally upbeat about initiating job searches—an optimism supported by the 77 percent who envisage brighter job prospects in 2024 compared to the year prior.

The survey also highlights gender-disparate motivations with more women in KSA (61 percent) seeking a career shift than men (57 percent), driven by desires for higher remuneration and a superior work-life equation. In contrast, job satisfaction keeps a majority of women from job hunting (57 percent), while men lean towards staying for attractive salaries and benefits (52 percent).

Ali Matar, LinkedIn’s Head of MENA, comments on the evolving landscape, citing that professionals are taking an assertive stance in their career trajectories. With competition heating up in the job market, candidates must differentiate themselves by showcasing relevant skills and staying abreast of industry trends to enhance their employability.