The latest Jobs Index survey conducted by Bayt.com, the Middle East’s number one jobsite and YouGov, a research and consulting organisation, has revealed that the majority of jobs, in the next three months, will come from the private sector with most companies looking to hire five or less people in the next three months mostly to fill junior executive positions.
Over the next three months,29% of companies in Kuwait will be ‘definitely hiring’, with a further26% ‘probably hiring’. The majority of these jobs are likely to come from the private sector which, regionally, has the highest hiring levels; survey statistics show that Multi-National Companies (MNCs) will offer the most jobs, with30% ‘definitely hiring’. This is followed by large local companies (29%) and small-medium local enterprises (SMEs) (27%). From the public sector (including government, charities, semi- and quasi-public companies),22% stated that they will be ‘definitely hiring’ in the next three months.
The figures are slightly more positive for a year’s time, with the private sector still providing the most jobs;34% of MNCs will be ‘definitely hiring’, as will31% of large local companies,26% of local SMEs, and23% of public sector companies.
“Statistics across the region are very similar. Companies for the most part are less likely to hire in the coming three months, though it’s interesting to note that local companies have the largest cumulative percentages of ‘definitely’ and ‘probably hiring’. In that respect, SMEs will make up the bulk of employment possibilities in a year’s time, suggesting that there may be an increase in start-up companies,” commented Amer Zureikat, Vice President - Sales, Bayt.com. “The number and type of employees sought by companies is suggestive that there are still cost-conscious initiatives at play which extend themselves to the HR arena. Kuwait employers realize that using an online portal, such as Bayt.com, offers direct, convenient and cost-effective access to the region’s most talented job-seekers including a very large and significant cross-section of highly qualified, top-calibre local talent.”
Companies across the region looking to hire in the next three months are predominantly seeking employees for junior executive positions (37%), although there is also a relatively high demand for executives (30%), coordinators (29%) and senior executives (27%). Most companies (49%) will offer less than five jobs, while an additional20% will look to hire between6-10 new employees.
In the same timeframe, a cumulative73% of Kuwait companies, who claim they will hire in the next three months, will look for ten or less employees; of these,55% will have five or less positions to fill.
“Whilst it is reassuring to see that some hiring is expected to take place over the next quarter, it’s perhaps not surprising to see most companies aiming to hire later in the year. With the global economy back on the front pages, many companies will be pushing potential recruitment plans out in the hope that the current Eurozone crisis does not trigger a regional recession”, said Sundip Chahal, CEO, YouGov.
The qualifications most desired regionally are those to do with commerce (23%), however in Kuwait, Computer Science qualifications are most desirable (22% opted for Computer Science graduation/post-graduation qualifications). Commerce follows with21%, then Administrative qualifications (19%). Psychology, Social Science and Statistics qualifications came in as least desirable, with only1%.
In terms of experience, managerial skills topped the list as most sought after across the region with38%; computer skills came second with31%. Candidates with mid-level experience (3-7 years) are preferred, with23% placing them higher than those with senior level (7-10 years) or junior level (less than three years) experience, both of which ranked at14%; those with very senior level experience ranked in last at12%. In Kuwait, employers look most for candidates with managerial skills (33%), and computer skills (32%).
Good communications skills in both Arabic and English are a must for58% of respondents across the region. Other traits that employers look for in candidates are team player abilities (48%) and overall personality and demeanour (46%); In Kuwait, employers look most for the ability to communicate effectively in both English and Arabic (78%), trustworthiness (56%) and, jointly, team player abilities and overall personality and demeanour (52%).
The industries that are attracting or retaining top talent across the region are banking and finance (36%), telecommunications (35%) and construction (31%). In Kuwait, banking and finance ranked first (43%), followed by oil, gas and petrochemicals (35%), and consumer goods (27%).
Asked about the attractiveness of their country of residence, respondents in Qatar were the most optimistic with49% saying their country was much more attractive than other countries in the region, UAE came second with48% stating the same, while KSA came in at third at44%.
Data for the Bayt.com Job Index October2011 HR survey was collected online from September26 – October17,2011. Results are reported on a base of2,344 respondents. Countries that participated are UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Pakistan.