Are you looking for a job opportunity in Dubai? After several turbulent years, Dubai’s job market is as vibrant as it was before the pandemic.
Dubai’s job market has also become more diverse. It means that many industries, such as security, investigation, marketing, advertising and hospitality, are looking for more employees and are willing to hire from abroad1.
The tech industry still holds the top positions, including Full-stack engineer, Data scientist, and Customer success specialist. If you are looking for a job in Dubai’s technology industry, then you’re in luck.
Where do you begin in Dubai’s booming job market? This guide will walk you through all the essential information, including visas, sponsorship and where to search for jobs.
Get the right visa
A work visa is required if you plan to work in Dubai. It’s getting a work visa is easy if you are employed in Dubai.
It is easiest to travel to Dubai once you have been offered a job. Travelling to the emirate with a tourist or visitor visa is possible, and then changing your status when you find employment.
For some countries, visitors to Dubai don’t need to apply for a visa in advance. One will be an issue upon your arrival. There are two options: the 90-day or 30-day option.
The UAE allows job seekers from some countries to stay for up to 90 days after arriving in the UAE.
These tourist visas can be a great way to get into the country to do job searches, but it is crucial that you either obtain a work visa or leave the country after your visa expires. You have a 10-day grace period following visa expiration. However, your visa can be revoked if you are caught working with a tourist visa.
Good news is once you have found a job, it is responsibility of employer to get you a visa. You will need to give your employer some documents, such as your passport number and they will take care of all aspects of your sponsorship and visa application.
Know your market
The emirate’s financial stability is good news, but not all job markets are ready for a rebound. There are some markets where job-seekers may find success,
- Tech
- Human resources
- Hospitality
- Banking
- Consulting
Many of these sectors perform so well that they are expected to see an increase in salaries. LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise report 2022 explains more. It notes that those looking for work in these sectors will have the best chance of finding employment in Dubai,
- Content Coordinator
- Back End Developer
- Data Scientist
- Business Development Associate
- Ecommerce Coordinator
Update your CV
Your CV is the most essential tool you have in your job search.
Dubai’s job market can be very competitive. A recruiter will spend, on average, six seconds reviewing your resume. Avoiding major CV pitfalls like buzzwords is crucial. MyJobs is an excellent source for CV tips, advice and other resources for those seeking more assistance.
Create your online identity. It can make a difference in your job search success. You should remove potentially dangerous posts and images, create a resume, and fill out job seeker profiles on sites like Bayt and LinkedIn. It could be a good idea to show a little character by sharing information about your hobbies and family.
Do not apply for jobs you are not qualified for. Being excited about a company does NOT mean that you should use to jobs that don’t suit your skills. Employers may view scattered applications as indicating that a candidate doesn’t know their goals and lacks direction.
Apply online
Start looking online to see which job opportunities they have and get a better idea about which companies are hiring in Dubai.
These are some great sites to find internships and jobs:
- Myjobabroad.com
- Bayt.com
- Khaleej Times Jobs
- Indeed
- Gulftalent
- Glassdoor
Think about a recruiter
Headhunters are a common way for Dubai businesses to hire. It is widespread to work with an agency, and it is still the best way for you to get a job in the emirate.
Look for agencies that will take a commission on behalf of the employer, not you, if you choose to work through one. Avoid scams that ask for high fees from job-seekers.
Network
Dubai’s companies are looking for employee-referred candidates. Many companies have a referral program within their HR department. Networking is an effective tool for finding and landing a job.
One report reveals that nearly half of Americans heard about openings through word-of-mouth, while 37% received information through their professional networks. It’s possible that similar statistics could be applied to the UAE job market. Making personal connections is an integral part of your job search.
You can still network even if you are unable to travel to Dubai for the networking events. There are many online communities and social media networks. You can also find “online job fairs” that will help you “who you know.”
Be patient. It takes time to find a job anywhere in the world, but Dubai’s job market is exceptionally competitive. On top of the talent saturation, hiring in Dubai tends to be seasonal, meaning most recruitment takes place from January to March and almost completely stalls during the holy month of Ramadan and the hottest months of the summer. It’s not uncommon for your job search to take six months to a year – so hang in there!
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