3 Pro-Tips: Ace Job-hunting In A Saturated Market

Have your job skills landed you in a saturated market? This is definitely an uncomfortable position to be in, and at times you may feel like there’s little to no chance of you getting noticed by any employers.

However, there are some steps you can take to make sure that you and your skills stand out. There are a wide variety of jobhunting tools we have available at our disposal, empowering us to search and locate for potential opportunities like never before. In addition, the World Economic Forum is supporting the MENA region through a series of private collaboration platforms that help close skill gaps as well as gender gaps² — ultimately ensuring that everybody in the region finds the right employment for them.

Here’s what you can do to make sure you’re using all the tools in your arsenal.

Plan out your CV

With the way the job market is set up, your CV is the first — and sometimes the only — impression that recruiters can get of you. Recruiters sift through around 250 CVs for each job position¹, and they form their first impressions in the first twenty seconds. That’s why it’s important that you create a CV that stands out.

This can happen in two ways: the first is by considering the layout and the second is by considering the content.

When thinking of layout, make sure your CV is clean and professional — especially if you are applying in conservative industries. There are many CV templates available on the internet and even in Office Word you can consider for your use.

With content, narrow down the information you want to present the most. This may vary according to your industry and profession, but some general points include:

• Most recent role
• Companies listed
• Overall experience
• Relevant keywords for the position.

If you’re a fresh graduate, your content can be narrowed down to your degree, volunteer and/or extracurricular activities, and accomplishments.

Network Extensively

It’ll be tough to push through the job market alone. With all of today’s tech resources at your disposal, a surefire strategy to getting job offers is to get to know people.

If you’re new to the UAE job market, don’t worry — you can still flex your networking muscle by signing up for all the job hunting sites available, such as Bayt, Indeed, and Dubizzle for starters. Log onto Meetup and go for outings with fellow expats and businessmen. Use your Linkedin profile to build a personal brand that helps draw potential recruiters to you.

Maintain Your Digital Footprint

It’s not enough to create a network — you need to make sure you stay within reach as well. Set a limit on the amount of time you take to respond to messages so that you don’t lose that connection and make sure that the profile you create for yourself is an accurate depiction of who you are. Over half of the employers surveyed by CareerBuilder, a job listing website in the US, have said that they are less likely to interview a candidate with no visible presence online.

This is how paramount your online identity has become. Investing in creating and maintaining one can increase your chances of getting noticed and hired significantly.

Once you’re done establishing this, try actively reaching out to people as well. Linkedin is the best platform for this. Just leave a quick comment on a few posts as you scroll through your feed, or send a small thank-you note to people who’ve accepted your invitation to connect. These are small steps you can take to build an online presence, which will play a crucial role in drawing attention to your profile.

Register With A Recruitment Agency

Many businesses in Dubai rely on recruitment agencies or headhunters to find new hires. To greatly increase your chances of finding the ideal employer for you, consider going for a recruiter. You will be able to rely on the experience they’ve accumulated within the country to find a good company and chances are, they’re in contact with many high-profile organisations that can help significantly with your career growth.

If you decide to take this path, you can have a consultant that can direct your job-seeking efforts as well as endorse you for any suitable roles. They can also coach you for interviews, and help you build the confidence you need to land the right job for you.

The jobhunting experience can vary differently from one person to the next, depending on their industry, location, and accumulated experience. If you aren’t careful, it can be all too easy to get lost in all that you have to keep up with. It’s always a good idea to seek help from a verified recruiter, so you can rest easy knowing that someone is actively working with them to find their next big opportunity. They can help you seamlessly integrate these tips into an action plan so you can hit your targets and get the job that suits you best.

If you think you need a little help with that, we can step in. Take a look at our website for more information. 10 Recruit is a Human Resources Consultancy based in Dubai, UAE. We provide career solutions to individuals and organisations across multiple career paths and stages. Rediscover yourself with us.

References

¹ Glassdoor for Employers. (2019). Hiring & Recruiting Archives — Glassdoor for Employers. [online] Available at: http://employers.glassdoor.com/statistical-citations/ [Accessed 27 Feb. 2019].

² Samans, R. and Zahidi, S. (2017). The Future of Jobs and Skills in the Middle East and North Africa. [ebook] Geneva. Available at: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_EGW_FOJ_MENA.pdf [Accessed 27 Feb. 2019].