So what does 2024 look like...

Well, we are into another year and this one will be an interesting one….

If you follow myself or MJ on any social media platform, you will have heard me discuss my predictions for 2024 on Dubai Eye with Brandy Scott. A bit controversial but here they are.

• H1 will be good. Q4 last year saw one of the biggest increases in roles of the year.
• This will carry some of the positivity into the first two Quarters of 2024
• The influx of talent from Asia and Europe has flooded the market and started to affect salaries
• The market is very much an employer’s one with clients taking time to find the right talent. The process takes between 3 and 4 months. This trend will continue into 2024.
• The focus on GCC experience is almost essential for most clients now and, with the abundance of good talent here, means that clients are taking longer to select the right person. This will ultimately continue throughout Q2.
• The US and Europe are predicting a tightening job market (LinkedIn /World Economic Forum data), and this will see more candidates looking to growing markets like the UAE and wider GCC.?
• The key focus for 2024 for most clients will be the drive to improve nationalisation targets. The UAE has imposed strict fines for missing these and Q4 2023 saw an increase in specific UAEN role by over 70% compared to 2022.
• Pay rises are going to be negligible this year with most people expecting around 3-6% at the top end.
• We saw a 20% increase in new roles from Family groups across the region with Multinationals having a quiet Q4. Let’s see how this continues in Q1 2024.
• HR, Finance and Sales/Marketing were consistently good throughout the year, but HR has had an exceptionally good year. We see growth in HR, Finance and Sales/Marketing with a slowdown in retail and operational roles.
• GCC experience will continue to be a must and Arabic is going to be part of a lot of new mandates.
• Nationalisation will be a big focus for 2024 especially in the UAE and KSA

?So, this looks like an interesting year. How do you capitalise on it as a candidate? Well, the good news is that if you have GCC experience there are going to be interesting roles for you in 2024.

The key things to focus on.

·???????? Structure your job search

·???????? Target the companies you want to work for

·???????? Apply to relevant roles (don’t just send your CV to everything!!!)

·???????? Build your relationship with a recruiter.

·???????? Specialise and build your skills through learning

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Best of luck and please let me know if you have any thoughts on this.

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