Getting Employment in the Dubai Job Market
Introduction
The diversification of Dubai’s job market is reflected in the fact that sectors, including hospitality, marketing, security, and investigation, are actively recruiting foreign nationals to meet their staffing needs. However, where do you even begin in the nascent Dubai job market?
Important topics covered in this guide include visas, job openings in Dubai, sponsorship, job hunting, and interview preparation.
Know About the Job Market
Not all Dubai job markets are prepared to recover, even if the general financial health is steady. People looking for job openings in Dubai may have better luck in the following markets:
- HR
- Technology
- Banking and Finance
- Consultation
- Hospitality
Salary increases will likely persist in several industries due to their strong performance. The following occupations within those industries are the most in-demand job openings in Dubai, according to LinkedIn’s Jobs report:
- E-commerce Coordinator
- Data Scientist
- Business Development Associate
- Back End Developer
Visa Process
A work visa is required for anyone intending to work in Dubai job market. Fortunately, they are rather straightforward if you work in Dubai-based firm. Arriving in Dubai after receiving a job offer is the best course of action due to the need for a work visa. However, if you are looking for work in the emirate, you may enter the country on a tourist or guest visa and then change your visa status to permanent resident after you’ve found jobs in Dubai.
Most people visiting Dubai don’t need a visa beforehand; you will be given one when you arrive (transit visa). Foreign nationals holding a passport have three visit eligibility periods: 180, 90, and 30 days. The visa procedure is mostly outside our control after you have employment, which is great news. Your company will handle the whole sponsorship and visa procedure on your behalf, save for providing them with certain papers, such as your passport number. Unfortunately, there is still more work for you to complete.
Health Card and Work Permit
While your work visa is being processed, you must send your medical records, copies of your passport, a recent picture, a letter of employment offer, and your visa application to the Department of Health and Medical Services.
Additionally, you need a blood test to exclude the possibility of infections such as TB and HIV. There is now a travel ban in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for those known to be carriers of certain illnesses. If you pass all the exams, you will be provided with a health card, which is required for all foreign employees in Dubai.
To apply for a work permit in the Dubai job market, you must submit the following documents to the Ministry of Human Resources: a copy of your passport, a copy of your employment contract, your entrance visa, your medical records, and your employer’s labor license.
The General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs is responsible for issuing residence visas, which is the last need. Both online and onsite forms are accepted at the AMER center. The following items are required: a completed form, a copy of your work in Dubai permit, a passport picture, your original entrance permit, medical records, a health certificate, a receipt for the processing of your work permit, and a copy of your passport.
Completing Your Resume for Dubai
Verify the spelling and punctuation of your resume before emailing it. Make extensive use of a spellchecker and edit your resume by hand to fix any mistakes you find. There will be much less room for advancement if your resume is riddled with typos and other grammatical errors. Check that the LinkedIn profile you’re including is compatible with the one you’re providing. Your career chances can take a nosedive if your resume and LinkedIn profile don’t match up.
Keep in mind that Dubai prefers more formal resumes (up to three pages) than their Western counterparts. Summarize your job experience in great detail and explain your previous companies and educational institutions concisely. Be careful to fill out all the required fields with your personal information and consider if a picture would be suitable to provide.
Search About Prominent Companies
Notable jobs in Dubai companies are recognized for their stringent recruiting practices and stellar reputations among employees. Some companies to kick-start your research include:
Connect With a Recruiter
Through headhunters, many firms in the Dubai job market fill open positions. One of the most frequent and effective ways to get jobs in Dubai is to work with job agencies in Dubai. Some agencies you may want to look at for job openings in Dubai:
Find job agencies in Dubai that charge the employer, not you, a commission if you want to use their services. Avoid falling victim to scams perpetrated by unscrupulous recruiters who demand exorbitant payments from job-seekers.
Hunting for Job
Due to the high competition in the Dubai job market, recruiters often spend up to six seconds reviewing resumes. Buzzwords and other significant CV errors should be avoided at all costs. You may learn more about the organizations recruiting in Dubai by perusing the job listings on various internet job boards.
Here are a few credible resources for internship and job seekers:
- UAE Ministry of Education (for internships)
- Indeed
- Khaleej Times Jobs
- Glassdoor
Importance of Networking in the Dubai Job Market
Organizations in the Dubai job market actively recruit individuals who are recommended by current employees. Several organizations in Dubai have referral programs run by their HR departments. Because of this, networking is a potent resource for finding and keeping a job.
According to research, 37% of Americans learn about jobs in Dubai via professional networks, and almost half of those polled knew about them by word of mouth. Comparable data is likely to apply to the Dubai job market. As a result, networking is an essential aspect of your careers in Dubai.
You can still network even if you cannot attend the events in Dubai. To aid with the “who-you-know,” there are specialized “online job fairs” in addition to the many online groups and social media networks.
Conclusion
Hunting jobs in Dubai is arduous in any city, but Dubai’s is notoriously cutthroat. On top of the talent saturation, recruiting in the Dubai job market is often seasonal, with most hiring happening between January and March and almost ceasing during Ramadan and the summer’s hottest months. Keep at it; getting a job and making careers in Dubai might take six months to one year.
Learn more about the Dubai job market by visiting our website.
