Dubai - the epicentre of the next recruitment boom?

Contrary to rumblings that Dubai, one of the most popular cities in the United Arab Emirates, is slowly becoming one of the most popular destinations in the world for recruitment, the reality is that target has already been achieved.

Dubai's standard of living, tax free income and weather has made it a hotspot for those on the hunt for jobs and recruitment agencies looking to place jobseekers in open vacancies.

The rise and rise of Dubai

Despite being hit hard by the global recession, Dubai has come out the other side looking better than ever, especially when it comes to the jobs market. Vacancies are rising and businesses are displaying a renewed confidence that suggests hiring strategies are moving to the next level.

Hospitality, food and drink, retail banking, media and diamond/gold mining are just a handful of the industries that are performing particularly well there, encouraging many jobseekers in these fields to take the plunge and move to the region.

Furthermore, a vast amount of international brands are looking to the Middle East as a destination for future investment. Brand launches are happening thick and fast in the city with expansion on the minds of many CEOs and decision-makers, sparking an uplift in hiring volumes.

In an era where Europe and North American aren't performing as expected, Dubai has taken the mantle as many jobseekers' primary destination for career growth and development. But what is it about Dubai that is making the city so attractive to job hunters?

Quality of life

According to a global standard of living survey, Dubai offers the best quality of life in the Middle East and was rated as the best place to live in the Middle East by American global consulting firm Mercer.

Furthermore, figures from the Community Development Authority in partnership with the Dubai Statistics Centre suggests the happiness average in the Emirate ranks at 7.9 on a scale of 1-10, with the standard of living and security ranking particularly highly (93 per cent of Dubai's community indicated they felt secure and protected, according to the study).

Another one of Dubai's advantages is the low tax rate - so low it is actually zero! As a result, workers tend to end up with a large sum at the end of the month, though the cost of accommodation and groceries means a mid-level salary is generally needed for a comfortable life. The cost of dining out with friends is good value (30 AED in a mid-level restaurant) while the cost of transport is affordable too.

In addition the UAE is one of the most liberal countries in the Gulf, with other cultures and beliefs generally tolerated, and there are little-to-no civic problems, contributing to the feeling of safety and security that many Dubai residents feel.

The enviable combination of a high quality of life and rapid expansion into the city among international businesses means Dubai is one of the biggest global hubs for recruitment. Strong growth and demand means companies are continuing to hire and, as Dubai is looking to recruit the best and brightest, the city looks ready for a continued period of strength in the recruitment market.

Author Bio:

Written by Randstad Middle East part of Randstad, the leading specialist recruiter. Present in 46 countries, employing over 28,000 people & helping over 2.5 million people find work worldwide every year. We pride ourselves on our professional, personable approach to recruitment – an attitude that is truly ‘lived’ by everyone in our organisation, known for its strong & consistent values ‘to know, serve & trust’.