Dubai, Aug.18th,2007 (WAM)- Strong work experience and in-depth knowledge of the local ICT market significantly enhance GCC job seekers' prospects, according to Bernie Luby, Legal and Communications Manager, Clarendon Parker Middle East FZ LLC (CPME), the regional leader in staffing solutions.

Consultants from CPME also emphasise that bilingual candidates are better-equipped for a cosmopolitan business environment like Dubai's, adding value to company profiles and investment.

Luby said: "While Dubai is experiencing a huge demand for qualified staff in the IT and telecommunications sector, the quality of candidates with the necessary skills is also increasing.

As a result, companies are in a better position to be highly selective, considering only those candidates who meet most, if not all, of the job specifications.

"A few years ago, candidates who matched 50 per cent or more of a job description would be considered for an open position.

Now candidates are required to match up to 95 per cent of the job requirements before even being granted an interview." Increased competition for job seekers, however, is translating into higher salaries, for example, multinational telecom companies have begun to offer extremely competitive packages to attract and retain talented professionals.

According to a Clarendon Parker study, the Saudi Arabian market in particular reveals a strong number of qualified candidates in the telecom and IT industry thanks to dynamic changes and rising competition. While local and regional companies are expanding, they are also setting up operations in areas beyond the Middle East, creating more job opportunities there as well.

CPME will participate at GITEX 2007 under the umbrella of Dubai Internet City, the largest managed ICT free zone in the world.

GITEX 2007, the region's largest IT and telecom industry event will be held from 8-12 September at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.