These weekly surveys are aimed at providing Bayt an insight into the various career and lifestyle-related issues currently impacting job seekers in the region. The key learnings generated from Bayt Polls will be incorporated into the company's business and disseminated through the media to promote a better understanding of job seekers. Run consecutively for seven days on the site, each poll generates an average of1,400 responses from around the region. All results are posted on Bayt.com.
The overwhelming impression from the first five rounds of polls is that job seekers are looking for more than just the ability to cover their monthly expenses. The opportunity for future growth is the most important factor when evaluating a job. Moreover, with the advent of technology and Internet penetration expanding in the region, job seekers generally turn to the Internet for guidance and support during their job search. They also indicated they are most confident that online recruitment sites and leads from family, friends, and colleagues will help them find their next job.
Opportunities for Advancement Valued the Most
When assessing employment opportunities, job seekers are looking for more than just jobs that will help them cover monthly expenses.76% of job seekers expressed the importance of finding a job that will advance their career. Underscoring this priority,46% of job seekers place the opportunity for future growth within an organization at the top of their list, higher than salary or even company reputation. However, when it comes to relocating for an employment opportunity, the majority,76%, will consider leaving their present location only if the salary was sufficiently attractive.
The Internet as a Resource and Enabler of Job Opportunities
As Internet penetration and the number of Internet users continues to grow in the region and abroad, more people are going online to find information. Career-related matters are no different. Job seekers turn to the Internet for guidance and support during their job search, with47% stating the Internet as their main source of support in comparison to22% that prefer utilizing insights from professional colleagues and16% from family. In terms of the most effective job search method, job seekers indicated both online recruitment sites and leads from family, friends, and colleagues will most likely help them find their next job,36% and34%, respectively.
Mona Ataya, VP Marketing at Bayt.com says, "Our core philosophy has always been to equip job seekers with the tools and knowledge they need to foster their lifestyle of choice. The Bayt.com polling initiative will further enable us to keep our finger on the pulse of job seeker trends and issues, thereby enabling us to provide those tools and information in a timely, current, and relevant manner."