Growth more 
important than salary for Emiratis

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Growth more 
important than salary for Emiratis

Emiratis exploring options at career fair; 
feel job satisfaction is important

by

Muaz Shabandri

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Published: Thu 24 Apr 2014, 10:12 PM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 5:49 AM

More and more Emiratis are looking at career growth as a priority when selecting new jobs.

Khaleej Times spoke with several young Emiratis visiting the Careers UAE exhibition hosted at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to find out their expectations from the UAE job market and how Emiratisation initiatives had helped UAE nationals.

According to young Emirati job-seekers salary expectations have lowered and priority is for career growth.

Amina Noor, a young Emirati visiting the fair said: “For me the most important thing when selecting a new job is job security. Career growth and salary follow. I’ve worked for a private company but it is difficult to grow in these companies. It took me a few months to find my first job but I don’t think it is really difficult for Emiratis to get into a job. Most young Emiratis look for career growth when deciding on their first job. These career fairs provide a good opportunity to network and meet with people from different companies.”

Rahima Khalifa, a graduate of Higher Colleges of Technology who was visiting the career fair to explore career opportunities shared a different view.

“Everyone has his or her own aspirations and a job-seeker always looks for something that matches his education. Unfortunately, I don’t think there are enough opportunities for young Emiratis. A lot of my friends are looking for jobs and most of us apply for jobs online but never get calls or follow-up.”

She lauded the Careers UAE initiative for bringing together Emirati job-seekers and companies recruiting new talent.

“Careers UAE is a great initiative because the human resource departments of various companies are spending time to interview candidates. It provides job seekers an opportunity to come under one roof and meet people from different companies.”

For high-school graduate, Musaab, the exhibition was a good place to learn more about companies providing employment and education at the same time.

“It is my first time at a career fair and I am looking to be a part of a company which recruits school students and provides them with higher education. Definitely, I have a minimum salary expectation because I believe one needs to have a decent income to lead a good life,” he said.

Another job-seeker, Abdul Aziz said: “I’ve worked in two jobs but I am exploring my options at the career fair. Personally, I believe job satisfaction is more important than the salary one receives. It’s good to network at such career fairs and I strongly believe these events should be held more often.”

The three-day career fair ends today and is open to Emirati job-seekers only.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com


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