| Kippreport.com

It’s not what you know…

April 4, 2011 3:12 by Precious de Leon

“In essence, we are seeing a twin track approach: businesses are trying to improve their competitiveness by hiring locally and internationally for the classic executive positions, while at the same time seeking a new winning edge by taking on expert advisors who can open doors for them,” Adam continues.

Dubai’s executive recruitment market has picked up noticeably in recent months. The question that comes next is whether or not the right well-connected talent is available.

“The quickening pace of activity reflects the economic rebound in the emirate and the GCC more broadly. But it is also reveals new trends in executive recruitment such as increasing further the number of local professionals in key roles, a preference for expatriate hires who show firm commitment to the region, and appointing people with special relationships who can open doors for their employers.

One of the first words Kipp learned when we arrived in Dubai is ‘wasta’ and although the culture of ‘wasta’ may be part of this region, it seems that it has only now really become an important aspect to recruitment. It has, apparently, even opened up a wholly new segment in the executive recruitment market.

Adams says that “in many ways, however, it is a logical response to the experience of the last couple of years which saw the onset of the financial crisis and the consequent impact on investment, growth and confidence after a long period of rapid expansion.”

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Tags: business, Dubai, employment, recruitment, UAE, work