Today there is an unprecedented need to build a workforce that can support development and cope with evolving labor market needs in a period of profound economic uncertainty. Organizations large and small are stressing the importance of anticipating future skills needs to avoid skills gaps, shortages and mismatches. It is also widely recognized that occupations are evolving as industries undergo a profound restructuring, with some occupations disappearing and becoming obsolete and new ones emerging, demanding opportunities for continuous acquisition of new and competences. In this article, the team at Bayt.com -Middle East's leading job site, describe the top 6 recruitment trends expected to emerge in Saudi Arabia, and across the Middle East region, in 2016: More career changes Plummeting oil prices and the move towards economic diversification has not only reduced the significance of the oil and gas industry in Saudi Arabia, but it has also affected the job market outlook in the country. Professionals today are looking at other career options. In fact, the Bayt.com ‘Career Aspirations in the Middle East' survey, released in January 2015, showed that 7 in 10 respondents in the Middle East have set professional goals for themselves, with 26% having set goals for as far as the next 5 years. The most common of those goals was to get a higher salary (54%), followed by finding a new job (53%). And while 64% of respondents felt they deserve to work in a higher-level position, 73% of them said they would go as far as relocate to another country for employment purposes. Increased demand on transferable skills In an era of high employment turnover and mobility, transferable skills have become the arsenal that ensures your employability, increases your professional competitive advantage, and eases your transition into a new role. Surprisingly, the Bayt.com ‘Skills and Hiring Trends in the Middle East‘ poll, January 2015, has revealed that the top three most sought-after skills in 2015 were analytical thinking (18.5%), creativity (14%), and leadership (13.3%). The August 2015 Middle East Job Index survey by Bayt.com has also showed that employers in Saudi Arabia are mostly looking for candidates with good communication skills in English and Arabic (83%), good personality and overall demeanor (50%) and trustworthiness/ honesty (46%). More active online discussions One of the most critical mistakes that job seekers make according to professional respondents who took part in the Bayt.com ‘Skills and Hiring Trends in the MENA' poll is not having active online conversations. In 2016, job seekers will be offered a myriad of ways to share their views and knowledge, source feedback, and discuss matters that affect their professional lives and growth. Online professional platforms, such as Bayt.com Specialties, enable professionals to get together, ask specific questions and obtain expert opinions and answers, but also endorsements and rankings to truly stand out. Engaging in professional discussions is a great way for employers to know more about a candidate. More jobs in the SME sector According to the August 2015 Middle East Job Index survey by Bayt.com, 75% of employers said they would be hiring in the next 12 months. This will particularly be the case for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with the trend continuing from past waves with most em2ployers in these companies planning to hire more people. Unsurprisingly, the same survey reveals that significantly more respondents in the GCC (63% in Saudi Arabia) believe that their country of residence is more attractive as a job market in comparison to other countries in the region. Increased use of online recruitment According to a Bayt.com poll, 20.2% of employers in the region believe that leading online job sites, like Bayt.com, will be most widely used to source candidates this year. In parallel, 29.3% of respondents working in the HR field maintain that the recruitment of active candidates online will become the number one hiring trend of 2016. With a majority of employers sourcing talent on the internet, job seekers are advised to create searchable online profiles that stand out. Higher training budgets Today, employees in Saudi Arabia are eager to build solid career trajectories and advance their professional development. According to the Bayt.com ‘Career Development in the Middle East' survey, January 2016, a lack of career development prospects can radically make or break employee engagement and retention. Many of them feel that their company is failing when it comes to equipping them with the learning and training opportunities needed to ensure their career growth, and this leaves employees feeling stifled in their jobs. In fact, an overwhelming majority (81%) say that they would leave their company for better training opportunities. Preferred training methods identified in Saudi Arabia were training by external professional trainers (47%), seminars at professional training institutes (45%), and formal study programs (43%). Companies and professionals across the various industry and career spectrums work with Bayt.com's career development and learning tools like Bayt.com Tests and Bayt.com Courses. They also partake in specialist discussions online on Bayt.com Specialties, greatly expanding their knowledge and the knowledge of others by sharing what they know. About Bayt.com: Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with more than 40,000 employers and over 23,750,000 registered job seekers from across the Middle East, North Africa and the globe, representing all industries, nationalities and career levels. Post a job or find jobs on www.bayt.com today and access the leading resource for job seekers and employers in the region.
