UAE job market signals rebound with 9.5% hiring surge in Oct

Job market in the UAE signalled a gradual turnaround with hiring activity returning to pre-pandemic levels at a 9.5 per cent year-on-year uptick in October, latest research data from LinkedIn suggests.

The report said despite this improvement, the labour market has not returned to consistent growth and it is unclear whether this will offset the potential global economic impact of a second wave of infections facing many countries.

Ali Matar, head of LinkedIn Emerging Markets, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), said over the past three months there has been an improvement in the UAE hiring rate, although it is unclear whether this will offset the potential global economic impact of a second wave of infections facing many countries. “Focusing on transferable skills can help open a variety of roles that people may not have previously considered. Skills can be applied to different jobs or industries, creating new employment opportunities. Likewise, investing time in developing new skills, being proactive in your job search and engaging your professional network is key to finding a new job quickly.”

The research shows that demand for digital skills remains strong across the globe with over 150 million jobs expected in the technology sector over the next five years.

LinkedIn’s data also suggests that as countries around the world face a second wave of infections, avoiding a lockdown to preserve the economy doesn’t improve the national hiring picture in the long run. Brazil saw one of the steepest declines in hiring globally, while Sweden’s hiring rate still hasn’t returned to growth and is tracking behind other European countries.

To help people who are looking for new job opportunities, LinkedIn is rolling out the beta version of their Career Explorer tool globally. The Career Explorer dashboard, which will be in English, is an interactive tool created to help people find jobs that match their skills. Using LinkedIn data, job seekers can see how their skills can lead them to new career opportunities, and what additional skills they may need, along with LinkedIn Learning courses that can help fill those gaps.

LinkedIn data shows there are pockets of hiring growth, with 14 million jobs available on the platform globally, particularly in healthcare and technology roles. LinkedIn has identified10 jobs that have experienced steady growth over the last several years and will continue to grow in demand by employers in the future, including Digital Marketer, Graphic Designer and Data Analyst. Digital skills in particular are in demand, with LinkedIn data forecasting that the technology sector will add 150 million jobs globally in the next five years.

— issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com