Senior management positions and high-level specialists will be in demand in the UAE in 2024. Salaries for senior management positions will show annual growth in most segments,- expected in RH.

At the same time, according to ADpro, this trend is particularly relevant for foreign companies that have recently established themselves in the UAE and less so for local companies. At the same time, the peak of demand for top executives among foreign companies was also reached in 2023, while this year they will mainly seek to hire mid-level specialists and expand the team, the expert said.

The preparation of a CV in the UAE is practically no different from the practise in other countries. However, there is a high number of responses to job adverts in the UAE. That is why ADPro Managing Director Aljona Dynko gives tips to increase the chances of success.

• Add a LinkedIn profile link instead of a photo. For most positions, especially managerial positions, a photo can make the CV look less polished. Instead, it’s better to add a link to your LinkedIn profile where you can find a photo if needed. For some customer-facing positions, a photo is required, but this is usually specified in the job description.
•  Include personal information in your CV. Unlike Western and European applicants, recruiters in the UAE want to know more personal information about the candidate, especially marital status, driving licence information and visa status.
• Emphasise your experience, if there is one in the Gulf States, it is particularly appreciated. If the company is from a different region, go into detail, especially about the company’s capitalisation and its position in the industry.
•  Focus on results. Candidates often talk more about the work process, but it is obvious that the recruiter wants to know concrete achievements, also in quantitative terms. If possible, include a portfolio with the results of your project work. Personal recommendations are a bonus.
• List language skills. English is a must, as all communication will be in English. It is important to maintain an official tone in both the CV and the interview.

A job interview in the UAE can take place in two ways. In the first case, the interviewer describes the job and the company to the applicant and then asks them to tell something about themselves. In the second case, the interview begins immediately with questions such as “What attracted you to this position and why are you a suitable candidate?”

• Appearance. As the UAE consists of several emirates with different rules, it is necessary to study the dress code. Lifehuck: Check the company’s social media and see what the employees are wearing in the photos. You can also write an email to the HR manager and ask for a clarification of the dress code. In general, it is better to favour strict, non-binding suits that conceal legs, collarbones and arms, as well as tattoos and piercings, if any. HR advice: Do not wear national dress.
• Punctuality. Patience and punctuality are highly valued in the UAE, so it is best to be there 15-30 min before the interview starts. This not only helps to show the necessary qualities, but also to mentally prepare for the interview.
• Greeting. If your interviewer is of the opposite gender, it is best to wait until they extend their hand instead of initiating a handshake. Most religious Muslims do not consider it respectful to touch members of the opposite gender. If the person of the opposite gender does not offer a handshake, you should place your hand over your heart and bow slightly in greeting.
• Conversation. During small talk before the actual interview, do not miss the opportunity to mention your references or people associated with the company who may know you, as relationships are given special attention in the UAE. You may also be expected to disclose some personal information, such as your marital status, living habits and so on. Also, you should not interrupt the recruiter at this stage and beyond.
• Drinks. You may be offered drinks, especially the traditional Arabic coffee – Gahwa. It is considered rude to refuse, it is better to accept the drink. Always put your right hand forward to accept the drink. When drinking coffee, hold the cup in your right hand, as the left hand is often considered “unclean”.
• Salary discussion. Usually, the salary is not discussed in detail during the interview. If the recruiter raises this topic, it is not appropriate to discuss it and it is better to wait for an offer.

📌 LinkedIn. It is important to have an active page that you are constantly updating and adding projects to. Start by activating the “Open for new opportunities” mode, select the job title, location and type of work and become more visible to recruiters.

Research the target company, find employees of one of your target companies on LinkedIn and get in touch with them, comment on posts from the company’s HR manager and feel free to ask for advice.

📌 Job sites. The most popular job search platforms are dubizzle, gulftalent.com, naukrigulf.com and bayt.com.  In addition, Bayt.com can evaluate resumes for a fee, Gulftalent.com provides training courses in various industries from IT to oil and gas for a fee, creates and evaluates resumes for free and contains information on labour law.

📌 Job fairs. They offer you the opportunity to get to know the participating organisations, their values and the vacancies at first hand. These fairs include the job fairs in Abu Dhabi, UAE Careers, and the National Career Exhibition.

📌 Recruitment agencies. Focus on well-established agencies. There are the international companies Michael Page, Hays, and RH in the UAE. Among local agencies, Guildhall is very well known. A candidate never pays recruiters to apply to their organisation, this is done by the client/employer.

📌 Networking. When building your network, utilise the skills of all your senior contacts, whether they are in your target department or not, as most companies in the UAE have a vertical structure and referrals from senior officials are highly valued. In the UAE, it is common for jobs to be filled through referrals from people you know, so networking is an important tool. Find out how to communicate in an expat community to be successful here.