UAE salaries for professional services roles increased by an average of 2 per cent in 2023 as an influx of talent to the region and more competition for roles shifted the market in favour of employers, according to recruitment consultancy Robert Half.
While wages in most sectors in the Emirates experienced a small uplift, the average annual increase in the human resources sector was more than double that of other industries, Robert Half said in its 2024 Salary Guide.
The average salary increase in human resources is 4.4 per cent, driven by demand for compensation and benefits experts, and talented administrators.
Professionals in the finance and accounting sector experienced an average salary increase of 1.6 per cent this year, followed by financial services at 1.2 per cent, information technology sector at 1.2 per cent and legal at 0.7 per cent, according to the salary guide.
The report analysed starting salaries across more than 100 professional services roles within the finance and accounting, financial services, IT and technology, human resources and legal sectors.
“The UAE has become the ultimate lifestyle move – and demand from expats has never been higher,” Gareth El Mettouri, associate director for the Middle East at Robert Half, said.
“With an influx of talent flooding the region and more competition for roles, candidates are willing to accept lower packages to give themselves a foothold in the Middle East, which brings down the overall market rate and restricts salary growth.”
The jobs market in the UAE, the Arab world’s second-largest economy, has recovered well from the Covid-19 pandemic thanks largely to fiscal and social measures taken by the government to attract skilled workers and incentivise companies to set up or expand their operations.
Most companies in the Emirates plan to hire more employees during the rest of the year, and wages are expected to increase by slightly under 2 per cent this year, according to the Cooper Fitch Salary Guide 2023.
More than half of companies (57 per cent) expect to raise salaries this year, according to Cooper Fitch, which polled senior management at 300 companies in the GCC.
However, the UAE is seeing a shift to an employers’ market, with more people moving here due to the luxury lifestyle and economic headwinds in other countries, according to Robert Half.
“The UAE government’s efforts to create a welcoming environment for businesses are paying off. Many companies are setting up or establishing new offices in the region, driving demand for talent across sectors,” Mr El Mettouri said.
“However, global and regional instability is seeing many companies put their hiring plans on pause until next year in the hope of gaining clarity on what the future holds for the global economy.”
There is less movement of talent at a senior level in the finance and accounting sector, but candidates in middle management positions are in demand – particularly in corporate accounting, the data found.
In IT and technology, there is still significant demand for project managers and senior leaders who can set up offices as more businesses move to the region, the report said.
Those fluent in both Arabic and English will be able to command the best salaries in the legal sector. Corporate lawyers are also in demand as the volume of initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions soars, it added.
In the financial services sector, more businesses are offering profit-sharing opportunities to retain senior talent. There are also good opportunities for established brokers and private bankers with strong relationships to relocate to the UAE, the report said.
While a significant number of employees in the UAE switched jobs at the beginning of the year, a lack of stability in core markets means that fewer candidates are actively looking for new roles, the consultancy said.
Most roles are replacements, rather than newly created positions.
“Candidates are relocating without jobs; they have to accept a job quickly in order to secure a visa, putting businesses in a position of power,” it added.
UAE Salary Guide 2023 – in pictures
Nearly seven out of 10 (69 per cent) UAE employees are likely to look for a new job in the first six months of 2024, the report said.
Reasons cited include the rising cost of living, lack of employee benefits, uncompetitive pay, poor work-life balance and limited career progression opportunities.
Employees aged between 25 and 34 are among the most likely to leave their roles before the end of the year, Robert Half found.
Meanwhile, four in 10 (41 per cent) employees in the Emirates received a pay increase in the past 12 months, either through an annual increase or a new role.
“Employers are increasing living allowances in some areas but reducing them for new employees,” according to the salary guide.
“While people are receiving increased housing allowances, employers are reducing education and family healthcare allowances.”
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Uefa Nations League
League A:
Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Croatia, Netherlands
League B:
Austria, Wales, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey
League C:
Hungary, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania
League D:
Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
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• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
