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According to Bayt.com and YouGov survey, 26% of UAE companies are 'definitely hiring' in the coming three months

25% of companies state that they will be hiring in a year's time, with the majority of jobs coming from the private sector
Dubai, UAE, 12 February 2012 - The latest Job Index survey conducted by Bayt.com , the Middle East's number one jobsite, and YouGov, a research and consulting organisation, has shown that the UAE's hiring expectancy in the coming months is slightly higher than it was in quarter four of 2011. Most jobs in the coming three months will be for junior executives in the private sector, with a preference for computer science, commerce and business management qualifications across the region.

Of the 50% of companies in the UAE that are 'definitely' or 'probably' hiring in the next three months, the majority (44%) will be looking to hire less than five people, while 24% will look for 6-10 new employees. In a year's time, the figures are slightly more positive with 63% of companies 'definitely' or 'probably' hiring.

Across the region, the majority of survey respondents (31%) equally prefer candidates with the following experience: strong computer skills, and the ability to manage a team with a prior experience in a managerial role. Sales and marketing experience followed next (26%). Meanwhile, in terms of skill sets, good communication skills in both English and Arabic is considered to be the most important skill in a job-seeker, according to 51% of respondents. Other skills that employers look for are the ability to be a flexible, helpful and cooperative team player (45%), overall personality and demeanour (43%), and trustworthiness (42%).

In the UAE specifically, sales and marketing experience is equally as desirable as engineering experience (joint 29%), followed by computer skills and managerial experience (joint 28%). On the other hand, the three most desirable skills for UAE employers are good communication capabilities in English and Arabic (52%); the ability to be a team player (47%); and good leadership skills (42%).

Meanwhile, the top five academic qualifications that are most sought-after by UAE employers are engineering (26%), business management (23%), commerce (20%), administrative (19%), and computer science (17%). Employers are mostly looking for junior executives, executives, coordinators and senior executives.

"Employment trends are relatively similar across the region, with roughly a quarter of MENA companies expecting or considering hiring new employees in the coming months, and in a year's time," said Suhail Masri, Vice President of Sales, Bayt.com . " Bayt.com specialises in bringing employers together with their ideal candidates. Likewise, it provides essential information for job-seekers to properly arm themselves with the tools required to make a difference in today's competitive market."

"It seems that there are fewer people considering either an industry change or international relocation at present, which would suggest that employees are, in general, satisfied with their current situations," said Sundip Chahal, CEO of YouGov. "Hiring expectancy figures for the next three months and in the next year across are leaning towards the positive, with the private sector's multinational companies hiring the most during this time."

Data for the Bayt.com Job Index January 2012 HR survey was collected online from January 2 - 24, 2012. Results are reported on a base of 9,238 respondents. Countries that participated are UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Pakistan.

-Ends-

About Bayt.com
Bayt.com is the largest and most relevant community of professionals interested in the MENA region with over 7,000,000 registered jobseekers and 40,000 employers. Bayt.com has 11 regional offices, over 200 staff and a 10 year track record of successfully matching the region's top talent with top employment opportunities at every career level, in every industry.

For further enquiries:
Bayt.com contacts
Lama Ataya
Chief Marketing Officer
Tel: 04-449 3100
Lama-ataya@bayt.net

MS&L contacts
Theodore Halabi
Communications Manager
theodore.halabi@mslpr.com
Tel: 04-367 6152

© Press Release 2012