20 things worth knowing about finding a job in Dubai

20 things worth knowing about finding a job in Dubai

50.5% of Middle East employers today prefer to source talent online, and Dubai is no exception. With on average 3,500+ jobs posted daily in the UAE alone on Bayt.com, the Middle East’s #1 job site, including jobs in Dubai, jobs in Abu Dhabi and jobs in Sharjah, the opportunities for finding your dream job are innumerable.


Job potential in the UAE:

1. Abu Dhabi (37%) and Dubai (34%) take the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively in terms of regional job availability. (The Bayt.com ‘Top Cities of the Middle East’ survey – July 2013)

2. 57% of surveyed UAE firms will be ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ hiring in the next 3 months, and 69% of the firms have up to 10 positions to fill. (The August 2013 Bayt.com Job Index survey)

3. There is a demand for qualified professionals in UAE, as engineering (27%), business management (24%) and commerce (23%) top the list of most desirable qualifications among UAE employers. (The August 2013 Bayt.com Job Index survey)

4. Skills most in demand among UAE employers include good communication skills in English and Arabic (51%), good leadership skills (49%) and being a good team player (45%). (The August 2013 Bayt.com Job Index survey)

5. Senior experienced professionals, especially those who have experience in managing a team, are experienced in sales and marketing and have good IT skills are most desired by employers in the UAE. (The August 2013 Bayt.com Job Index survey)

6. The most attractive industries in the UAE for jobs are perceived to be banking and finance (34%), construction (33%) and oil, gas and petrochemicals (33%). (The August 2013 Bayt.com Job Index survey)

7. For would-be entrepreneurs, Sharjah and Dubai rate as top cities in terms of ‘ease of starting up new businesses’. Cities in the UAE are rated highly by their residents for their ‘lack of bureaucracy in procedures and paperwork, with Dubai ranking at #1. (The Bayt.com ‘Top Cities of the Middle East’ survey – July 2013)

8. When it comes to new ideas and innovation, 56% of polled professionals state that Dubai is most receptive. (The Bayt.com ‘Top Cities of the Middle East’ survey – July 2013)

Better salary potential in the UAE:

1. Professionals can enjoy better tax-free pay in the UAE. 56% of professionals in UAE feel salaries in the country are increasing ‘marginally’ or ‘moderately’. For 2013, 21% of UAE professionals expect a raise of more than 15%. (The Bayt.com MENA Salary Survey – May 2013)

2. Professionals can also enjoy a host of other benefits which are paid by employers in UAE. The most common additional benefits received from UAE companies include personal medical insurance (50%), personal annual air ticket (46%), and gratuity (33%). (The Bayt.com MENA Salary Survey – May 2013)

3. End of service benefits are seen as being highest in GCC cities, especially in Sharjah (44%) and Abu Dhabi (42%). (Bayt.com ‘Top Cities of the Middle East’ survey – July 2013)

4. Cities in the UAE, particularly Abu Dhabi, rated positively with regards to the wage protection system. (Bayt.com ‘Top Cities of the Middle East’ survey – July 2013)

Happiness constitutes more than a better job and better pay. UAE ranks highly on various metrics related to general welfare:

1. UAE tops the list as the most attractive country to live and work in the Middle East. (The August 2013 Bayt.com Job Index survey)

2. In the UAE over 59% of the survey population assert they are satisfied with their life in general. (The Bayt.com Happiness and Wellbeing in the MENA survey – July 2013)

3. UAE ranks number one in the region in many attributes, including general safety and security, availability of entertainment avenues, availability of public utilities, stability of political environment, opportunities to socialize, access to healthcare facilities, availability of public transport, general infrastructure, and availability of employment opportunities. (The Bayt.com Happiness and Wellbeing in the MENA survey – July 2013)

4. The UAE ranks second regionally in terms of perceived attitude and behaviour of people in general, ability to lead a stable financial life and ability to maintain healthy personal relationships with family and friends. (The Bayt.com Happiness and Wellbeing in the MENA survey – July 2013)

5. Abu Dhabi and Dubai feature among the Top 5 cities regionally, as listed by the Bayt.com ‘Top Cities of the Middle East’ survey (July 2013), to live and work in. This survey considered economic factors, entrepreneurial factors, labour rights, environmental factors, everyday life, socio-cultural factors, and quality of life.

6. Abu Dhabi is perceived to be the best city regionally in terms of availability of quality healthcare facilities. (The Bayt.com ‘Top Cities of the Middle East’ survey – July 2013)

7. Cities in the UAE are believed to have the most effective law enforcement, with 79% of – Abu Dhabi respondents stating that law enforcement in their city is ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, followed by Sharjah (76%) and Dubai (75%). (the Bayt.com ‘Top Cities of the Middle East’ survey – July 2013)

8. Abu Dhabi is also seen to have the lowest crime rates, followed by Dubai and Sharjah, as per respondents to the Bayt.com ‘Top Cities of the Middle East’ survey (July 2013).