LinkedIn announced its report results, titled “Talent Trends in the Middle East and Africa 2016”. The report uncovered job seekers’ priorities and the best way to attract employers.
Everyone is interested in new job opportunities even if they do not seek new jobs, the report explains. In UAE questionnaire, 94 per cent of employees said that they would be interested in checking new jobs. 53 per cent of the questionnaire respondents in UAE said that they are seeking new jobs, as opposed to the world average percentage which registered only 36 per cent of new jobs seekers.
In this regard, Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn South Europe, Middle East & North Africa –LTS, says “The Job market is witnessing a change caused by many external factors either on economic or social levels. Therefore, companies should reevaluate the employment strategy in order to fit job hunters’ priorities.”
Obstacles to face when job hunting
LinkedIn’s report sets the biggest obstacles that face job seekers in the region. The first obstacle manifests in the long wait that job applicants, compared to their peers around the world, in the Middle East and South Africa have to endure in order to get replies from the companies. It is worthy to note that 32 per cent of the questionnaire’s respondents have pointed out the previous obstacle. In addition, 31 per cent of the questionnaire’s respondents consider that salary and post negotiation is another obstacle to face, as opposed to the international average of negotiation over salaries or posts.
One of the reasons why job seekers face such obstacles may be because of a lack of transparency between the applicant and the employer, according to LinkedIn. Obviously, companies ought to be more transparent and have a clear vision and culture, 69 per cent of job seekers implied. Job hunters have as well expressed their need to understand the benefits and advantages given by the company, in addition to its mission.
How to seek new jobs and get them?
In an attempt to combine talents and job market, LinkedIn’s report uncovered the way job seekers can find new jobs. Employees in the region are likely to find jobs through recruitment companies, 13 per cent, or their personal network, 25 per cent, instead of applying for the jobs on the company’s online website.
Job seekers in the Middle East and South Africa tend to research the company’s information before applying to the jobs and half of job seekers update their resumes before applying. Technology is the main factor in getting a job; employees in UAE tend to hunt new jobs online through social media websites such as LinkedIn, 40 per cent of job seekers, and other online websites of recruitment companies.
“Talent Trends 2016” annual report has surveyed more than 33 thousand employees around the world, among those 3298 employees who live in the Middle East and South Africa and are members of LinkedIn. They were surveyed in the period between July-March 2016. It is worthy to note that 35 percent of the 3298 surveyed employees are citizens of this region.
