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Finance or IT graduate? Head to UAE...

Things are looking up for the career hungry graduate in the UAE and elsewhere.

New research conducted by HR consultants ManPowerGroup, and reported on in the Gulf News, has examined data and recorded company forecasts for the next 12 months. More than 42,000 companies from across the world participated in the study, thus producing one of the most concise and detailed insights into the global job market we have come across in a while.

So, what did the study find?

Opportunities abound

The report revealed promising prospects for job seekers, especially for those in the UAE. Data showed that just under two thirds of top bosses in the UAE – and elsewhere – are aiming to increase headcounts over the coming year. Moreover, some 90% also predict that their payrolls will expand within the next three years.

The skills gap persists

As the world becomes ever more connected and high tech, training levels are struggling to keep up. This skills gap, coupled with a hindered recruitment process, has caused hiccups for employers and businesses alike.

More and more companies are now opting for overseas talent to fill their vacancies, with IT staff, engineers, technicians, finance and accounting, specialised machinery operators all proving the hardest roles to fill.

In fact, according to ManPowerGroup’s report, some 40% of employers within Europe, the Middle East and Africa are struggling to find the right candidates. In 2015, this figure stood at nearly four in ten employers (36%) which, ManPowerGroup commented, indicates that employers face “the highest talent shortage since 2007”.

For KPMG’s UAE branch: “CEOs are finding it more difficult to recruit specialised talent as opportunities elsewhere continue to blossom and there is greater competition for Emiratis, both seasoned and fresh graduates, who are increasingly aware of the need to contribute to organizations’ bottom lines”. (Don’t forget to check out the job opportunities with KPMG on our job board!)

Also in the UAE, CEOs anticipate shortage of professionals with specialist skills in the research strategy sectors, which includes the likes of cyber security, digital, innovation and data and analytics. These sectors are among the fastest growing globally and employers in India, Africa and ASEAN tell a similar story.

Every cloud has a silver lining

However, for returning graduates, this candidate shortage is actually good news. Your unique skills, global perspective and top-rate UK education will make you an asset to any employer. Build on your education and experiences, pair with an unforgettable CV and you will be well on your way to that dream role.

In the UAE, some of the most popular positions are those in the financial services, technology and accounting and finance. These sectors’ popularity does not make finding the right candidate any easier though, with accountants, financial controllers, private banking sales professionals, IT security managers and anti-money laundering experts all lagging in terms of recruitment. For graduates looking to break into any of these industries, now is the time – not only are the sectors in the midst of a career-long boom, but applicants can enjoy the rare feeling of employers scrabbling to give them a job. Who wouldn’t want that?

From drivers and machine operators to IT technicians and sales roles, the UAE offers a myriad of exciting jobs in expanding industries. To see for yourself, register with GradLink today.