Biggest obstacles for UAE jobseekers - LinkedIn survey

According to a new LinkedIn survey conducted among 33,000 respondents around the world, more than a third of applicants (32 per cent) in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) don't hear back "as frequently" from companies after submitting their application

Searching for new job openings isn't hard enough, professionals in the UAE and other parts of the region have to face a number of obstacles when dealing with potential employers.

And once they do get some feedback and are called to an interview, more than a third (31 per cent) find it a challenge to negotiate for a better compensation package and role.

The number of jobseekers in the region who share the same frustration is actually higher than the global average, according to LinkedIn. The disparity may stem from the fact that there are many companies who aren’t too open or willing enough to communicate with applicants during the hiring process.

"One possible reason for this disparity is the transparency of information—or lack thereof—between recruiters and jobseekers,” LinkedIn said in a statement.

The traditional secrecy in the recruitment process is one of the factors that contribute to dissatisfaction among jobseekers. Other studies have shown that candidates often get frustrated when employers don’t communicate with them about where they stand in their application.

In global research conducted by workforce solutions provider Kelly Services, it was found that only half of the candidates were satisfied with their recent application experience. Among those who were not happy, more than six in ten (65 per cent) cited the lack of communication as their “biggest source of discontent”. Lack of communication or updates after an interview was also mentioned by 32 per cent of the respondents.

LinkedIn’s 2016 Mena Talent Trends study, which seeks to provide new insights into jobseekers’ priorities, also found that the majority of professionals in the UAE are on the lookout for better prospects, with 94 per cent saying they’re interested in learning about new jobs. More than half (53 per cent) said they’re “actively searching” for new roles, which is significantly higher than the global average of 36 per cent.

The high number of professionals in search of new employment opportunities, however, doesn’t mean most workers in the country are unhappy with their jobs.

According to Ali Matar, head of LinkedIn talent solutions for Southern Europe and Mena “Every professional is always on the lookout for career growth opportunities, strong job security and a chance to work with a better team… It is simply a desire that drives them to seek better prospects,” The survey findings do show that the job market is evolving as a result of many external socio-economic factors, so it is “essential for companies to assess their recruiting strategy and ensure it is aligned with the priorities of today’s professionals”