“Summer is almost over, the locals and the Business owners must’ve been back to Dubai from their OOTC Holidays. Which means there must be a considerable number of job openings available in the market.” How many times have we heard this? Pretty sure you must be familiar with this narrative too, are you?
While the job market in Dubai has been hit hard by the pandemic in these past 2 years, there are still a lot of opportunities for those who are willing to look for them, especially now. In this Listicle, we’ll share 8 things you can do to improve your chances of finding a job in Dubai. Whether you’re looking for a new company to hop on, or you’re a newbie expat trying to navigate your career journey in the Emirates, this might just help you land the perfect opportunity you’ve been chasing. So read on.
1. Update and make your CV stand out
In Dubai, You must have a well-written and professional CV. It should highlight your skills and experience that are relevant to the job you are applying for. That means if you’re like me who is open for different types of opportunities, I suggest you create a separate CV for each field of interest. Unfortunately, In general, being a Jack-of-all-trade and having an all-in-one CV wouldn’t do you any good in landing a job.
By the way, don’t forget to personalize each design as per the industry you’re applying. Yes, I said it, you can’t have a uniform template for 3 different job interest you’re applying. If the goal is to stand out, then this is what you must do.
It is also beneficial to include any volunteer work or extra-curricular activities that you have participated in.
2. Intentionally expand your network
It is important to network with as many people as possible. Don’t decline a last minute birthday-invite if you don’t have anything important to do anyway. look for events to attend to, participate in a Sports club, search for meetups and social gatherings of your interests. Find ways to get your name and face out there.
The more people you meet, the more likely you are to find a job that is a good fit for you. Take advantage of the time at your expense and never waste a minute for not showing up. Your perfect opportunity might just be one event away.
It is also important to research the companies that you are interested in working for. Learn about their culture and values. See if they have any openings that match your skills and experience. If you can, reach out to someone who works at the company and ask them about their experience.
3. Research is key
We know this but most of the time we ignore it: If you’ve done your research, you’re 50% hired. (I just made this up.) But seriously, research is essential in the process.
Vast resources are easily available in a whim that can help you learn about the types of jobs that are available in Dubai. Make sure you spend some time reading articles, watching videos, and talking to people who have experience working in Dubai. This will help you to get a better understanding of the job market and what you can expect.
The internet is your friend: Use online job boards, search engines, and social media sites; most companies are actually active on their social media accounts. Take advantage of this information.
4. Consider a recruiter
Never be afraid to ask for assistance, recruiters exist for a reason. They can help you connect with employers and find jobs that are a good fit for your skills and experience. They can also guide the job search process and help you prepare for interviews.
There are many recruiters in Dubai, however, it is important to choose one that is reputable and has a good track record. Recommendations from friends or colleagues is always reliable, nevertheless, you can also research recruiters online. Evidently, once you have found a few good options, you can contact them to discuss your job search goals.
Using a recruiter can be a great way to find a job in Dubai. But, always remember to apply step number 3 before you commit.
5. Attend job fairs
Even though we’re living in the internet age, the old fashion way shouldn’t be ignored. Job fairs, though some consider it obsolete (pardon the Millennials), are still a great way to learn about job opportunities in Dubai.
In a Job fair you particularly have a direct chance of getting hired as attendees can meet with employers simultaneously.
Job fairs are usually held at various locations around the city, mostly in Word Trade Center. You may Check the event listings in the local newspapers or online to find out when and where the next job fair will be held.
6. Use your Social Media productively
Use Your Social media platforms extremely to search for a job. Instead of wasting hours and hours of blankly staring at your meaningless FB walls or frameless Grams, use it with the intent of actually looking for a job. This is a common mistake of everybody (I, for one, is guilty of it sometimes.) We easily drift into the sinkhole of endless scrolling and mindlessly consuming information which undeniably doesn’t add value whatsoever. Nevertheless, before you explicitly loathe yourself, It’s good to know that you can easily update your LinkedIn profile, as easily as catching up with your feeds. LinkedIn is a great platform to connect with potential employers and learn about new job openings. Similarly, use Twitter to search for jobs and follow companies.
7. Prepare for interviews in advance
Preparing essentially means you take time to thoughtfully consider your past job experience, qualifications, and goals relative to the position and employer. This could be done if you, again, research the company and carefully review the job description to understand why you would be the best fit for the job. Furthermore, bear in mind the company culture and at least consider your answers to common interview questions. (This may vary as per the Industry you belong with.)
8. Take heed the virtue of patience than swindle to the deceptive waiting game
What I mean is, while in the middle of the search… Don’t, not even for a second, ever believe that you have enough time to look for a job. In job searching, months could flash on a whim without you noticing.
On the other hand, you can make the most of it though by improving your skillset: Try a new hobby or revisit an old one. Organize your personal stuff (physical and digital). Oh, remember the book you wanted to read? set a day or two to immerse in it. Play an instrument or learn a new language. There’s just so much you can do, now is the time,. Add value to yourself!
As the famous Philosophy goes “Patience is not simply the ability to wait. It’s how we behave while waiting.”
The process can take some time, but eventually, you will find the right job for you.
I hope this list of quips and quotes shall guide us in our search for the greener pasture in this land of opportunity away from our home country. May all of our efforts be fourthly rewarded in time. Inshaallah!
What do you think should we add to the list above? Send away and comment down below.
