By Isabel Ovalle
The summer is coming to an end and the holidays are yesterday’s news. September is just around the corner and it provides the perfect context to find a job, with a recent survey indicating that 63 percent of employers in Qatar are planning to hire in 2013.
Many people who are based here, are here with their families, or looking for opportunities outside their home countries, see Qatar as a land of opportunities, it being one of the main countries in the Middle East generating jobs.
This is the case with Maria, a teacher from Spain who recently moved here with her family. Qatar offers a wide range of possibilities for her. Before moving here she did an extensive job search online but eventually found a job as an assistant teacher in a local school once she was here and was able to meet the staff at the school, where her
kids study.
Nick, a communications professional from the UK, also moved here with his family, and his wife was the one to find a job first. “I live here thanks to her sponsorship and I am currently freelancing for a local company until I find a permanent position that suits me and allows us to keep a balance between our work and family life,” he said.
Experts from Bayt.com, the leading job website in the Middle East, say employers in Qatar are looking most for an educational background in engineering in new recruits, followed by commerce and business management. They also consider good communication skills important in new workers, followed by good leadership skills and the ability to work under pressure.
In addition, companies look to hire candidates who have experience in team management, computer skills and engineering, while the industries that attract and retain the top talent in Qatar are construction, oil, gas and petrochemicals, and banking and finance.
Suhail Masri, VP of sales at Bayt.com, explained that because the majority of employers used the Internet to find candidates, it was imperative for job-seekers to have an impressive online
presence.
“Developing a strong online presence requires more than merely monitoring the content of your Facebook or Twitter account; you must be able to prove your aptitude to a depth that supersedes that which your CV or a job interview can demonstrate,” added Masri.
Ultimately, networking online is essential here and it is recommended to explore online platforms that allow the job-seeker to engage with his or her industry peers.
“Use platforms such as this to establish that you are knowledgeable, that you are keen to help others, and that you have the sort of thought leadership that will benefit your potential employer,” continued Masri.
For this expert, having strong connections across industries is always beneficial, and online platforms, such as the aforementioned allows the person looking for a job to share their thoughts and opinions with peers who share common skills.
Bayt.com’s vice president gives seven key tips to those that are looking for a job here. The first one being very personal: “Know yourself, take the time to understand what types of jobs interest you, what areas you enjoy and excel in and what skills/competencies you have that can translate in meaningful ways to the jobs you are applying for.”
Masri also advises job searchers to optimize their CV. “Make sure it correctly represents you. It should be customized for the job role and free of grammatical and spelling mistakes. After all, according to 21 percent of regional employers, a resume riddled with errors is one of the most common mistakes that job seekers make.”
A job application can benefit as well from a tailored CV and cover letter, “especially if you really want a job,” clarified the expert. “Before you start applying, read the job description carefully, and tailor your CV and cover letter to that particular job role by inserting some of the keywords from the job description,” he highlighted.
Masri advocated for a consistent and persistent job search, which is more rewarding than a sporadic one. It is also beneficiary, emphasized the expert, to build a public profile, given that 84 percent of employers in the region research candidates online before hiring them.
“Recommendations play a critical role in your job search. If you have worked for a company as an employee, try asking for recommendations. Even as an intern you can ask your supervisor to recommend you; these recommendations will help you stand out,” stressed the Bayt.com VP.
Job seekers shouldn’t be discouraged easily and take each attempt to get a job as a learning opportunity. “Do not lose heart, keep trying, learn from your mistakes, and improve. Establish relationships with key decision makers in different organizations. Prepare in advance for each opportunity; cover all aspects like dressing, interview preparation, and optimizing your CV. It’s all about getting noticed by employers,” said Masri.
When writing a CV, the candidate must clearly highlight the target position, and how his or her key skills and experience are perfect for it, by listing relevant career highlights and achievements. The expert strongly recommended avoiding vague, fuzzy or copy-pasted objective statements at the beginning of the resume, as well as elaborate work descriptions, a vague objective statement and unclear titles, which will only detract from the impact of the CV and will confuse the employer.
Ultimately, employers look for candidates with experience and education, business sensibility, enthusiasm and willingness to learn, work ethic and interpersonal skills.
The Peninsula
