Why Middle Eastern firms are rethinking their hiring strategies

“Change is the only constant,” and nowhere is this more evident than in the Middle Eastern job market. But what prompts a region known for its rich reserves and traditional business practices to rethink its hiring strategies? Is it the aftermath of a global pandemic, the rapid technological advancements, or a combination of both?

The Middle East job market has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a catalyst for change and innovation. As economies in the MENA region gradually reopened post-pandemic, recruiters faced a myriad of challenges in attracting and retaining the right talent. The disruption caused by the pandemic led to a recovery phase in 2022, where organizations had to adapt quickly to the changing landscape (founditgulf.com).

One of the main reasons Middle Eastern firms are rethinking their hiring strategies is the increased competition for top talent. With the global economy becoming more interconnected, the best candidates often have multiple offers from companies around the world. Firms in the Middle East are developing strong employer brands that communicate their values, culture, and commitment to employee development to attract and retain such talent (Dilrukshan Fernando).

The adoption of advanced analytics has also played a crucial role in reshaping recruitment strategies. Superior analytics provides a comprehensive picture of the workforce and company development, allowing HR professionals and managers to make informed decisions. AI-powered data empowers these professionals to motivate and guide their workers, fostering a productive and positive work environment (Soundlines Group).

Moreover, executive search firms like Mark Williams have adapted to top hiring trends, such as remote recruitment, AI-driven processes, and data-driven strategies. By revolutionizing their executive search expertise, they are able to cultivate trust-based, collaborative relationships and stay ahead of the curve in the competitive job market (Mark Williams).

Another factor influencing the shift in hiring strategies is the need for firms to meet targets for hiring local talent. Companies in the UAE, for instance, are implementing new hiring strategies and offering more job perks to attract and retain Emirati talent. By not limiting their considerations to traditional categories, firms are expanding their talent pools and considering candidates who can best suit the roles they are looking to fill (Khaleej Times).

In conclusion, Middle Eastern firms are rethinking their hiring strategies due to the dynamic nature of the global job market, the need to develop strong employer brands, the adoption of advanced analytics, and the necessity to attract and retain local talent. As the region continues to evolve, so too will its approach to recruitment, ensuring that companies can secure the best candidates for their future growth.

About

Warners Scott is a premier global executive recruitment specialist based in London and Dubai, focusing on Banking & Investments, Accounting & Finance, and Digital & Fintech. With over 18 years of experience, they have built strong relationships with top-tier banks, financial institutions, and accountancies. Their unique value lies in these long-standing relationships with hiring managers and internal recruiters, a vast network of candidates, and continuous engagement. This combination places them uniquely in the market, trusted by both talent and hiring managers. Their evolved perspective allows them to precisely understand recruitment needs and pinpoint senior C-suite, EVP, SVP, and MD-level hidden, ready-to-move talent that other recruiters cannot access.

Warners Scott delivers tailor-made recruitment solutions for international and regional clients, functioning as true business partners. Their comprehensive services cover retained, exclusive, and contingency searches, as well as permanent, contract, and interim staffing.

In Banking and Investments, they partner with international and regional banks and investment houses in London and the Middle East, including conventional and Islamic banks. They cover areas such as Private Equity, Asset Management, Investment Banking, Treasury & Global Markets, Wholesale Banking, Digital & Technology, Risk Management & Compliance, and C-Suite Appointments.

In Accounting and Finance, Warners Scott works alongside The Big 4 and Top 50 accounting firms, along with globally recognized consultancies. They specialize in Audit, Risk & Compliance, Tax (Private Client, Expatriate, and Corporate Tax), Corporate Finance, Transaction Advisory, Restructuring, Turnaround, Insolvency, Forensic Accounting, Disputes & Investigations, Forensic Technology, eDiscovery, Cyber Security, and Management Consultancy.

In Digital & Fintech, they assist large banks, digital startups, and innovative Fintechs in areas such as FinTech (AI, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Big Data), InfoSec/Cybersecurity (Application, Infrastructure, Network, Cloud, IoT securities), Digital Leadership, Digital Transformation, Software Development, IT Project/Program management, Data Science & Analytics, Data Privacy, and Data Architecture.

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References

– “Overcoming the Biggest Recruitment Challenge.” Foundit Gulf, 16 Aug. 2023, https://www.founditgulf.com/career-advice/overcoming-the-biggest-recruitment-challenge/.

– Fernando, Dilrukshan. “10 Global Talent Acquisition Trends in the Middle East.” LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-global-talent-acquisition-trends-middle-east-dilrukshan-fernando-mga9f.

– “The 2023 Latest Human Resource Trends in the Middle East.” Soundlines Group, https://soundlinesgroup.com/blog/the-2023-latest-human-resource-trends-in-the-middle-east/.

– “Stay Ahead of the Curve: Top 5 Hiring Trends for 2023.” Mark Williams, https://www.markwilliams.ae/stay-ahead-of-the-curve-top-5-hiring-trends-for-2023/.

– “More Job Perks, New Hiring Strategies: How UAE Companies Attract, Retain Emirati Talent to Meet Targets.” Khaleej Times, https://www.khaleejtimes.com/jobs/more-job-perks-new-hiring-strategies-how-uae-companies-attract-retain-emirati-talent-to-meet-targ.