Jobseekers prefer 'free and frequent' interaction with employers: Bayt.com

Jobseekers in the UAE have said that they want easier ways to communicate with potential employers, and that they would ultimately like to have a job where they are able to communicate 'freely and frequently', a new survey has found.
Bayt.com's 'Communication at Work in the Middle East' poll found that more than 90 per cent of respondents want to have a job where they can communicate easily. On the other hand, a fair portion of jobseekers showed their displeasure with companies that never reply to their job applications. According to the poll, 59.6 per cent of respondents in the Middle East believe that the HR department should always communicate with job seekers, even if they are rejected; while 20.2 per cent believe that HR departments should communicate with prospective job seekers only if they are qualified. Another 20.2 per cent believe that companies should only communicate with the short-listed candidates. "Communication is the essence of employee satisfaction, successful team dynamics, and higher work productivity. It is critical that employers and managers frequently review their communication practices and regulations in order to guide their workforce towards success," said Suhail Masri, vice president of employer solutions at Bayt.com.
In terms of communicating at the workplace, and among employees, email is the main method of communication at work, according to 67.5 per cent of respondents. Also, 14.8 per cent of respondents communicate in-person, 13.5 per cent on social media, 3.3 per cent through instant messaging, and 0.9 per cent through audio or video conferences as other primary methods.
When it comes to the most effective methods for workplace communication, 48.4 per cent of respondents voted for email, 37.1 per cent for in-person, 6.3 per cent for instant messaging, 6.0 per cent for social media, and 3.2 per cent for audio and video conferences.
In addition, another survey that focused on how gender equality and empowerment can be improved in the workforce, revealed that flexibility, maternity leave, and mentorship and training are some of the areas in which support could be improved. The survey by Hopscotch noted that six out of 10 women believe the UAE still has work to do to achieve gender equality. In addition, 71 per cent of females believe employers should be in the driving seat to empower women. Helen McGuire, founder of Hopscotch, said: "Women tell us time and again that they want access to useful meet & greet events with employers and the survey itself revealed that two-thirds believe women should empower other women."
Job seekers in the UAE can look forward to a friendlier job market, as new evidence by Monster.com suggests that 2017 will be a better year for workers in the region. "While online hiring activity in the UAE currently remains very low, the movement of employees and employee talent gaps will create more opportunities but higher competition for job seekers, making it important for job seekers to find ways to stand out," said Sanjay Modi, managing director of Monster.com, APAC and Middle East region. - rohma@khaleejtimes.com