Millions of people from all over the world want to get a job in Dubai. In 2023, Dubai is still one of the top international destinations for job seekers. This isn't surprising considering all that the UAE has to offer. Landing a job in Dubai means tax free earnings, year round sun and access to a booming economy.
But many people don't know how to find work in Dubai. Make no mistake, the Dubai job market is competitive and challenging. But with the right guidance you can succeed in landing your dream Dubai job.
As a former Dubai recruiter, I know what it takes to get a good job in Dubai. In this article I'm going to share with you the top 10 Dubai job search secrets that are essential to success. By following these 10 steps, you'll be much more likely to land a job in Dubai in 2023! Disclosure: We are affiliates for some of these products and services. Learn more.
How to get a job in Dubai - 10 secrets to success
Many people find their Dubai career blocked by long searches, dead ends and false starts. This doesn't have to be your experience. Tap into the 10 secrets below to ensure that your Dubai job search is successful in 2023.
1. Don't over apply
2. Apply at the right time of year
3. Find the best Dubai job vacancies
4. Partner with a top Dubai recruiter
5. Use Dubai job boards
6. Adapt your Dubai CV for every application
7. Optimise your LinkedIn profile for Dubai
8. Build your network
9. Get a local Dubai number
10. Use these top job search tools
Let's get started!
1. Don’t apply for too many roles
This might sound counterintuitive, but it’s very important. You may think the more jobs you apply for the better your chances will be. This isn't the case, applying for too many jobs in Dubai can actually work against you.
You are not a good fit for every role out there. Even if you're a sales person, you won't be a great fit for every sales job in Dubai. Dubai recruiters have very specific requirements for the roles they fill.
Companies in Dubai like to hire people who have the exact skillset and experience that they need. So don't bother applying for roles that you are not a great match for, you'll be wasting your time. So what should you do instead?
A targeted approach
Begin your Dubai job search by deciding on your target industry and roles. This will help you apply only to the roles that you are at least 80% qualified for.
Pay attention to language requirements, professional qualifications, educational requirements and specific regional experience. Don't apply for a role requiring an Arabic speaker if you only speak English.
When you apply for roles which are not a good fit, you will get frustrated at the lack of positive response. You'll also signal to Dubai recruiters that you're going to waste their time.
Develop a list of target companies
As you'll see below, networking is one of the best ways to find a job in Dubai. Do some research and identify your top 10-20 companies. These should be the companies that operate in your industry and hire people with your experience. Create your list based on your priority companies and begin to target them one by one.
2. Apply for jobs in Dubai at the right time of year
There is nothing stopping you getting a job in Dubai at any time of the year. But, in Dubai there are months where recruitment slows almost to a standstill. There are also months where recruitment activity is high.
What's the best time of year to apply for jobs in Dubai?
January and February are the two of the best months for finding work in Dubai. March, April and May are also months where recruitment activity is high. These are the months where you should focus most of your Dubai job search efforts.
What are the worst months for finding a job in Dubai?
June, July and August are the worst months for getting a job in Dubai. The summer months see a big drop off in recruitment activity. You should plan your Dubai job search in line with Dubai's recruitment cycle and be aware of religious holidays and other annual events that influence recruitment activity.
Read This Article: The Best Time to Search for a Job in Dubai
3. Find the best Dubai job vacancies
To get a job in Dubai, you need to know where to look. Whilst there are hundreds of websites where you'll find vacancies, you should be careful to avoid scams. With that in mind, there are four websites where you'll find the best quality job vacancies in Dubai.
1. Indeed.ae
2. Bayt.com
3. Gulf Talent
4. LinkedIn
Each of these sites has pros and cons, and you need to know how to get the best results from them. You will find most active job vacancies in Dubai by using these 4 platforms, and they are a great place to begin!
Read This Article: Dubai Job Vacancies - How to Find the Best Jobs in Dubai
4. Partner with top Dubai recruiters
Dubai is full of recruitment agencies and recruitment consultants. I recommend that you work with one or two good agencies when trying to find a job in Dubai.
Two reasons to partner with recruiters in Dubai
1. The best Dubai recruiters have an extensive network of connections. They can leverage this network to help you land a great role.
2. Recruiters in Dubai understand the market and will help you to navigate it. If you have no prior Dubai experience, this knowledge is essential.
How many Dubai recruiters should you work with?
You should not try to work with too many recruiters whist looking for a Dubai job. Instead, find one or two that specialise in your industry. There are some great recruitment agencies in Dubai, as well as some bad ones. You need to avoid the bad ones at all costs.
Not only will a good recruiter help you to find your first role, they'll also help you get promotions in the future. Provided you maintain a good relationship with them.
You should begin by downloading our PDF directory of established recruitment agencies. The agencies listed in this resource are all well established and have good reputations.
The recruitment agencies listed in this directory are organised into industries. This will help you to connect with the right specialists for your job search.
Download: The Top 20 Recruitment Agencies in Dubai
Which Dubai recruitment agencies should you work with?
Consider the following criteria when deciding which agencies to partner with.
• They should be well-established and well-respected.
• It's important they understand your role and have a well-developed network in your target industry.
• They should be willing to meet with you, or at least speak with you on the phone or via a video call.
Read This Article: Recruitment Agencies in Dubai - Your Complete Guide