Without doubt, having a stable job that provides a decent income and benefits is one of the biggest challenges for many individuals across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). For those who are currently on the lookout for new hiring opportunities, the latest Bayt.com Middle East Job Index Survey, September 2016, provides a guide on the most useful trends in terms of current as well as future hiring.
Overall, the Bayt.com Middle East Job Index Survey exhibits a positive movement by two points indicating more hiring potential in comparison to December 2015. There are notable increases in Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This is good news for current job seekers as seven out of 10 working respondents plan to hire in a year’s time. Six out of 10 working respondents will be hiring in the next three months.
2016 presents a good time for finding a job in the Middle East and here are a few guiding tips to help you:
1. Jobs by sector
The private sector remains ahead of the public sector in terms of future hiring within the next three months. Although differences in potential hiring within the private sector are not momentous, you will have the highest opportunity of landing a job by considering private multinational companies. According to the Bayt.com Middle East Job Index Survey, 42% of private Multinational companies state that they are definitely hiring in the next three months and 28% of them are probably hiring.
2. Jobs by industry
Potential hiring by industry fluctuates regularly. In 2015, the industries with the most hiring potential were industrial manufacturing (75%). In 2016, however, Banking / Finance have the highest potential of hiring in the next three months (74%) followed by Hospitality / Entertainment / and Recreation (73%) and telecommunications (71%). It is worth noting that the industries that are least likely to hire are currently oil, gas, and Petrochemicals (56%) and government / civil service (58%).
3. Jobs by area and country
The Hiring expectancy Index has increased by two degrees across MENA. The highest increase in hiring potential is seen in North Africa and the GCC. 69% of working respondents in North Africa plan to hire within the next three months followed by 65% of GCC respondents. If you are looking at job prospects in specific countries within these areas, then you should know that more respondents in Egypt (46%) and Qatar (43%) will definitely be hiring in the next three months.
4. Jobs by experience level
The Bayt.com Middle East Job Index Survey revealed that the majority of potential hires will be mid-career and junior positions. Only a few companies will be hiring for senior and top-level positions. However, it is worth noting that a higher percentage of respondents from Tunisia, Lebanon, and Syria will be hiring for top-level positions.
5. Jobs by academic qualifications
Graduate and post graduate degree in business management continue to trump other fields of study as the most sought-after educational qualifications. 28% of hiring companies are looking for candidates with a business management background. This number is followed by engineering (25%) and administration (20%). To access the full list of academic qualifications broken down by country click here.
For more insights into the current hiring trends in the MENA, download the Bayt.com Middle East Job Index survey.
