Are you looking forward to boosting your career by securing a prominent position in the UAE? Then keep reading this article as it will unveil several middle East job trends and opportunities in the Middle East.
Trends in Job Market
Global economies are slowly recovering after being struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. The same recovery pace is seen in the Middle East. After the outbreak of the Pandemic, job opportunities have surprisingly increased. As most of the sectors are continuously growing and looking to expand, so are in need of new talent. The rising demand for foreign workers makes the Middle East an excellent option to work there.
Many private and government job opportunities for expats, and some professions are taking precedence over others in terms of demand.
Dubai, Turkey, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, etc are the fastest-growing commercial hubs that attract businesses from every corner of the world. Not only established companies but new startups and SMEs are continuously searching for fresh talent in the Middle East.
About 46% of the expats believe that their earnings in the Middle East are significantly higher than what they could have been earning back home.
Whether you’re a college student looking to forge your career path or a professional seeking a new opportunity, understanding the various trending careers and sectors in the Emirates is essential. There are ample job opportunities that one can opt for.
So, what industrial sectors and jobs are currently trending in the Middle East? Here we have rounded up the most
Oil and Natural Gas Jobs
Oil and Gas are the twin engines that power the Middle East’s economy. The region is home to 53 percent of the world’s oil reserves and nearly half of all known natural gas reserves. Many of the largest oil producers are in the Middle East. This includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iraq. The highest-paying job in the oil and gas industry is that of a Petroleum Geologist.
Oil and natural gas are major industries in the Emirates. They play an influential role in the global economy as they are the world’s primary fuel source. The processes involved in the production and distribution of oil and gas are highly complex, capital-intensive, and require state-of-the-art technology
The progression of the Oil and gas industry in the Emirates has opened a lot of job opportunities for foreign workers. Foreign talent from Countries like India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, and China are settled and employed in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil producer and provides approximately 15 percent of global output. Iraq has increased its oil and gas production since the end of the Iraq War and is now the second-largest producer in the Middle East.
Healthcare Jobs
If you’re in the medical field and looking for a promising career path in this industry, then you shall try your luck in UAE. There are around 180 Medical Centers and schools in the UAE that offer certificates to allow students to practice the profession.
The career is flourishing due to an increased population and tourism in the country. The national health strategy of the UAE makes it compulsory for employers to offer health insurance to their staff. The Gulf countries are also aiming to provide affordable healthcare on the global front. As a result, the number of private hospitals and healthcare facilities is consistently increasing.
Roles like laboratory and healthcare assistants, clinic managers, and others are the most wanted jobs in the UAE according to Linkedin. So For foreign doctors, nurses, and technicians, especially ones who have considerable work experience, this can be a great time to explore job opportunities here. As this career will keep rising, and improving.
Information Technology IT
The 2019 edition of the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking global competitiveness report ranked the UAE as the most competitive country in the Arabian region.
With the advent of the fourth industrial revolution, Modern automation and digitization have taken over almost every industrial sector in UAE. Resultantly, the demand for skilled IT professionals has also increased. IT professionals such as
- Data Scientists
- Computer Network Architects
- Software Developers
- IT Managers
are currently in very high demand here.
Accounting and Finance
Accounting is vital for an industry as it keeps a systematic record of the organization’s financial information. Up-to-date records help the company compare current financial information to historical data.
With the rapidly evolving corporate sector, businesses are looking for streamlined financial processes to achieve set targets and increase cost efficiency. National and foreign investors are investing in the Middle East. So more and more talented candidates in the field of accounting and finance are needed by companies.
It also enables the user to access the performance of a company over a period of time. From start-ups and SMEs to multinationals. There is good demand for professionals in the accounting and finance sector. The most in-demand and trending roles in the Middle East are
- Management Accountants
- Finance Managers,
- Head of Internal Audit
- Business Controllers
- Chief Financial Officers
- Financial Analysts
- Treasury Director
Legal sector
The contribution of the legal sector cannot be overlooked in the growth of any country. The ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 is built around three themes: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. The demand for legal assistance is inevitable during the process. Even sectors like Energy and Construction are expected to hire more legal professionals
As Dubai is broadening its legal horizon to accommodate the rapidly evolving global business landscape, there is an increased need for efficient legal professionals. They should be exceptionally fluent in dispute resolution and financial regulations.
Many established law firms in the Middle East often provide temporary positions to newly hired professionals. Competitive candidates are given positions in cities like Dubai to provide them with first-hand experience in the law culture of the Middle East. Permanent positions are later on provided in other parts of the region after the initial temporary/internship positions.
If you’re looking for significant demand jobs in Dubai’s legal sector, employment in the following roles is considerable
- Legal Counsel
- Paralegal
- Legal Assistant
For Pakistani and Asian Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, Compliance Specialists, Legal Secretaries, Conflicts Analysts, and Contract Administrators, now is an excellent time to think about moving to the Middle East.
Engineering Jobs
As this region has an abundance of oil rigs and refineries, engineering is a field with the top middle east jobs in demand. Foreign engineers specializing in chemical or petroleum engineering can find high-paying jobs in Dubai. Engineers belonging to the mechanical, aerospace, and electronics industries also have a great scope for well-paying job opportunities in Dubai. Some more high-demand engineering fields are:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
Hospitality and Tourism Sector
A range of factors such as events and activities, popular tourist attractions, economic and political stability, and a religiously and culturally tolerant population, make the UAE an ideal tourist destination.
According to a Statista report, the number of visitors and tourists in the Middle East is expected to grow by 4.3% in 2019. Modern construction marvels like the Burj Khalifa and Palm Islands, make the Middle East a highly diverse place to visit.
With the consistent growth in tourism, the hospitality industry is also flourishing meanwhile. Recruitment opportunities will also increase in this sector in the coming years. Areas like Hotels & Motels, Restaurants, etc need workforce staffing
From Hotel Managers, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, and Event Organizers, to Executive Chefs, there are several great opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector of the Middle East.
Educational sector
With the rise in population and more and more foreigners settling in the Emirates for career growth, the need for education is also increasing. The educational sector is also seeking qualified teachers for schools and colleges. If you’re looking for a teaching job in Dubai, with or without experience, this career is one of the best in that category.
Teachers and professors now can find their career boost in the UAE. International schools require teachers in all subjects. Most schools require two to three years of experience. However, some schools do not necessarily demand expertise.
The most in-demand teachers in Dubai are Arabic teachers and ESL teachers (English as a Second Language).
Artificial Intelligence Specialists
We are living in an era where artificial intelligence is taking over everything. AI is outperforming human efforts. Opting for AI automation will reduce costs in the long run for a business. It involves using computers to do the tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. AI can process large amounts of data in ways that humans cannot. The goal of AI is to recognize patterns, make decisions, and judge like humans.
Employers’ increasing reliance on new technologies has led to high demand for professionals in this sector. Today there is a dire need for AI specialists for in-house technology teams. These are one of the most in-demand jobs in the UAE, specifically in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Besides landing a high-paying job in Dubai, Artificial Intelligence specialists can also apply for a long-term UAE residency visa.
Marketing and Social Media Specialists
As more and more industries and companies are forming, the need for marketing and advertising is also increasing. The marketing department is a backbone of an organization. The functions of marketing include promotion, selling, product/service management, marketing information management, pricing, financing, and distribution.
Deploying effective marketing strategies and making an online presence is necessary to publicise a newly formed business. If you are an SEO Specialist or professional in any field of marketing and social media, you should try your luck for a job in the Middle East
New companies that are launching in the UAE necessarily need to market their brand using marketing techniques and Social Media platforms.
Finding Job Opportunities in the Middle East
While there are several job opportunities available in the Middle East, finding them and landing the job is often a complex process for most professionals. Rather than trying to do this on your own, it is better to rely on reputable recruiting agencies in Middle East.
Top employers and businesses in the Middle East prefer partnering with such recruiting agencies to source the right talent from across the world. Your association with such agencies could help you build a rewarding career at one of the best companies in the Middle East.
