The Modern Job Search Strategies in the MENA 2023 survey says 85 percent of respondents prefer working for companies that offer remote working arrangements, all or some of the time. Conducted by Bayt.com, the study also revealed that 91 percent of those polled are considering changing jobs this year.
Moreover, 71 percent of survey respondents say they prefer looking for jobs online, instead of the traditional methods for job search. This suggests a digital shift for recruiters who want to engage potential candidates in search of career opportunities within the region.
Data for the Modern Job Search Strategies in the Mena 2023 survey was gathered online from May 3 to June 28, 2023. Results are based on a sample of 7,591 respondents from the following countries: UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Sudan.
Job search trends
Ola Haddad, director of human resources at Bayt.com, said: “There is an observable shift in the MENA region’s job market tendencies. Our latest survey provides data on how job seekers are adapting and thriving in the face of these emerging trends. Employers must also keep these trends in mind to remain competitive, whereas job seekers should focus on developing the necessary skills and harnessing digital tools to stay relevant and successful in a more balanced and future-ready work environment.”
Other trends that emerged in the survey include 85 percent of respondents saying remote hiring will increase in the next few months, underscoring an evolving job market that is beginning to embrace digital transformation in the workplace.
Meanwhile, the top three skills respondents deemed most important that current professionals must have included the ability to work without supervision (34 percent), flexibility and ability to adjust to change (27 percent) and self-motivation and discipline (17 percent). These results show the growing value of professionals who demonstrate autonomy and adaptability in their current roles.
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 Online presence
In terms of the job application process, Bayt.com’s survey data shows that email remains the primary communication method for job seekers at 41 percent, followed by interaction with online job platforms at 38 percent, underlining the increasing importance of online presence and effective digital communication for organizations as well as search firms operating the MENA region.
Furthermore, 53 percent of the respondents say they are very familiar with video interviews which are now increasingly becoming a part of the hiring process. Meanwhile, the preference for a specific type of interview remains distributed between face-to-face (30 percent), video (30 percent), and phone interviews (27 percent).
For today’s job seekers, the survey highlights the importance of creating a strong online profile and having a cover letter (38 percent) as being the most crucial aspects of having a successful job-hunting journey. Finally, Bayt.com’s survey says those seeking new employment opportunities must learn how to leverage digital tools to stand out in the competitive job market.
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