| Kippreport.com

2013 Predictions: UAE salaries set to increase but most employees looking to change jobs

January 7, 2013 10:34 by Eva Fernandes

Revaluating one’s career at the start of the year is perhaps only natural, but it is a little shocking how it is on the majority of UAE resident’s minds. According to Bayt.com’s MENA Professionals New Year Resolutions Poll- Dec 2012, 65% of professionals are hoping to change jobs in 2013.

 

Compare these findings to the results of a survey conducted by Mercer, which found salaries in the UAE are forecasted to increase by 5 percent this year. Zaid Kamhawi who works at Mercer said: “The anticipated pay increases in 2013 are predicted to be above the forecasted inflation generating real pay growth for employees.”

It is just as well that salary increments are on the way because according to the New Year’s Resolution poll, increments in salary and training were high priorities. According to Suhail Masri, VP of Sales at Bayt.com: “Our research shows a further 48% will be requesting a higher more training and 19% will ask for a better position/title. What is more our research shows that 50% of employers chose online hiring as their preferred medium for searching for senior qualified talent. Other top methods include networking events (18.3%), traditional headhunting, (14%) and newspaper ads (9.6%).”

And just as the internet has become a medium for online hiring, it has also become a primary source of research. “An overwhelming amount of employers said that they ‘always’ research a candidate online before hiring  This suggests a strong trend among employers in the region to move to online hiring and screening methods” said Masri.