What you need to know about job search in the UAE

I was speaking to a friend recently who is considering relocating to the UAE. He asked what it’s like to search for a job in the UAE, and I told him my experience leading up to my previous job. The advice I gave him inspired me to write this post for those who plan on relocating soon. These tips are a combination of my experience and the experiences of people I know. It is always good to be prepared.

Online application: I got my first job in Dubai by applying on Indeed.com. Other websites I applied to and got interview calls are LinkedIn, Bayt and InternsMe (now Oliv)
Be active on LinkedIn: When I was on bed rest during my pregnancy, I kept writing articles on LinkedIn, and one day, someone reached out to me, letting me know she’s been seeing my content and will want me to work for their company as a content writer. I accepted the offer and was paid for the content I wrote while working from home. You never can tell who is watching you; keep doing what you do.
Let your online portfolio speak for you: I once attended a job interview for the position of business development consultant in a training institute. I told him about my organization coaching experience in Nigeria and went further to show him some career-related videos I made on my YouTube channel. He got really excited watching them, and that got us talking about my career journey. I got offered the job after the interview. Having a social media portfolio can be all that’s needed for you to get hired. 
Connect with people from this region: Connecting with recruiters or people in your field of work can increase your chance of getting noticed on social media. 
Learn a language: I started learning Arabic when I knew it could increase my chances of getting a job. I started by learning the alphabet, numbers, basic greetings, how to write in Arabic and some slang. I learnt from some of my friends, taking an online course in Arabic and watching YouTube videos (and I’m still learning). 
Be great at your work: Keep improving your skills, learning, developing your ideas in preparation for the day you will be hired or called for an interview. 
Attend networking events: Attending events can increase your chances of meeting your potential employers; it’s also an opportunity to learn what’s new in your field. I usually attend networking events in the Youth hub (Jumeirah Emirate Towers) and was opportune to work with the organizers of LinkedIn Local Dubai 2017. I met some of the people I interviewed on my Youtube channel at two networking events in the UAE. You can check for upcoming events HERE.
Let people know you are searching for a job: You can let your friends know you are searching for a job; you shouldn’t be shy about it. They may know someone who will hire you or may link you up with your potential employer. 
Get your documents attested: I don’t know much about this, but most of my friends who did their’s told me it was required for the jobs they now have. I’d advise you to check out the documents attestation website HERE.
License to practice: You may need some license to practice according to what my friend in the medical field told me. 
Driving License: It might be required for the position you are applying for—for instance, sales and marketing manager, business development manager and so on. If you can, get the license.

Vaccination: Some employers would rather hire someone who has gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Be sure to ask during the interview.

Do you mind sharing your UAE job search experience in the comment section?