Morgan McKinley’s London Employment Monitor gives us some interesting insight into the hiring market in London each month to compare with the picture across the UAE. The latest data from June 12 highlights a large 33% drop in the number of available jobs across the sector.  This is also a fall on the same time last year.  So, here’s an overview of the current hiring market for financial services in the UAE:

Cautious hiring market

• As with many financial services centres around the world, Dubai’s financial institutions remain relatively cautious in their approach to hiring, perhaps as a result of the previous crisis.
• Employers will find the hiring market full of job seekers, however for those looking for a new career move, there are fewer available roles – similar to the London market.
• The Euro crisis has also impacted the UAE – with European banks looking at cost cutting measures.

So is there any opportunity?

• Although banks are right-sizing and down-sizing, there is some growth to be seen in areas of these organisations that are making money.
• Some banks are making significant profit in areas of sales trading and fixed income trading and there is continued demand in this space. This in turn has led to increased demand within risk management.  This mirrors the requirement for talent in the London market as well, and is also the case for compliance where a healthy amount of hiring is a result of banks’ need to adhere to regulation.
• Hiring is strategic, as budgets are tight, so employers are looking for key hires with exactly the right skills.
• Hiring managers are also looking for ambitious job seekers, who are prepared to be more flexible on where their next role is located.
• Dubai has long been an attractive location for expats, however the opportunities right now in the financial services sector are in Abu Dhabi and Qatar. In particular Qatar is growing at a steady pace.

Best approach to finding a new role

• Competition is going to come from professionals who are prepared to move around the UAE – job seekers are increasingly prepared to commute two or more hours to work each day or even to relocate away from Dubai within the Middle East for a good career move.
• Dubai continues to be attractive to overseas job seekers because of the perceived lifestyle advantageous. Visiting Dubai and networking is highly recommended to improve the chances of a successful job search.
• Opportunities exist for the right talent; look at the skills that you offer and do some research or contact Morgan McKinley UAE to find out if your skill set matches areas of the market that are still growing and hiring.
• Consider how flexible you are prepared to be, both in your location and in your salary expectations.

To get ahead in financial services whether in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE – it’s important to focus on what employers really need right now.  Morgan McKinley UAE can help you with advice on the skills in demand, areas of the market that are growing, remuneration across the entire region.

Contact Anthony Graves on +971 (0) 4 324 4094

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