Job hunting in the Gulf region? There’s reason for cheer. According to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Global Prospects and Policies report, the MENA region is forecast to grow 3.2% this year as compared to 2.2% in 2017. Experts suggest that the worst is behind and confidence in the economy is gradually returning, according to Institute of International Finance (IIF).
As you wait for the job scene to pick up, use this time to upgrade your skills and brush up your profile. Staying engaged and productive during this period will keep your spirits up and increase your employability.
Wondering how to do that? Here are some tips:
Take up voluntary work
If you’re hunting for a job from home, taking up voluntary work will not only embellish your CV but also help you establish useful contacts and widen your networking circle. It will also help you develop leadership and teamwork skills—attributes that all employers look for in candidates. However, don’t stray too far away from your industry/occupation while choosing your field of volunteer work so that the experience you gather has a palpable bearing on your future interviews. Frequently underrated by jobseekers, volunteering is an easy, effective way to demonstrate to recruiters that you are motivated about your profession and proactive in approach.
Upgrade your skills
Upgrading your skills is another great way to improve employability and add to your CV. Enrolling for an online course, attending seminars and workshops or even learning a new language (a skill that’s especially useful in global financial centers like many cities in the Gulf) are excellent ways of keeping yourself busy while also furthering your longer-term objective of getting a suitable job. In fact, regularly upgrading your skills is becoming increasingly imperative in the current job environment where rapid technological advancements and volatile economic conditions are making it necessary to continue learning new skills to stay relevant in the job market.
Brush up your profile
This is a great time to redo that CV and bring it in line with the latest trends (read tips related to resume writing here, or get a professional resume done by experts by clicking here). Also, use this period to brush up your professional social media profiles and erase anything controversial from your public and personal profiles. Surveys suggest that well over half the recruiters check up on the social media profiles of candidates who apply to their companies, so be proactive and don’t let your online reputation affect your job prospects!
Blog on the industry
Regularly blogging about your industry demonstrates your commitment to your profession as well as attributes like proactive approach, analytical ability and the capacity to stay on top of industry trends. Apart from blogs, you could also try and approach industry journals and magazines to publish your articles—having a byline in a respected industry journal is a sure way of leaving recruiters highly impressed.
Searching for work can be a challenging experience, but with careful planning, you could turn it into the most significant period of your career.
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