How to effectively navigate employee recruitment in the Middle East

In the fast-evolving business landscape of the UAE, good employee recruitment is essential for companies aiming to attract and retain top talent. From adapting to new market trends to addressing skills shortages, the recruitment industry faces unique obstacles. This blog explores the top five challenges in recruitment in the region and provides practical solutions to help businesses build a resilient and effective workforce.

Top 5 recruitment challenges in the region

1. High demand for specialised skills

With the Arab region being a front runner in the use of AI technology (see The impact of AI on recruitment practices), data & cybersecurity adoption, and with lower manufacturing costs due to tax-free policies, there is strong regional demand for skilled workers—particularly within the technology, strategy, operations and procurement professions.

2. Hiring for cultural fit & integration

The UAE and Saudi Arabia (KSA) both have multilingual and multi-cultural workforces due to their geographic location and the attractiveness of policies such as tax exemption on personal income. In spite of this, the highly-diverse culture and local language barriers can be a challenge for companies looking to hire new talent.

3. Managing regulatory & compliance hurdles

Visa and work permit challenges are a common hurdle for businesses in the Middle East. Navigating this complex process increases onboarding time and is time-consuming for both candidates and businesses. In addition, frequent changes in labour laws and regulations can create uncertainty—further complicating recruitment strategies. 

4. Limited pool of local candidates

Local governments, through the Emiratisation and Saudization initiatives, are focused on increasing regional talent and upskilling the local population. Companies often struggle with finding the best resources or experienced local talent to fulfil the quotas in their respective locations. This often means having to rely on international talent who are willing to relocate to the region. 

5. Strengthening employer branding & employee retention

One of the biggest and most unaddressed recruitment challenges is high employee attrition rates in the region. Whilst the UAE & KSA are two of the most attractive locations for job seekers, many businesses struggle with high turnover and lower retention rates, particularly amongst expats, who tend to change jobs within 6-12 months. Recruitment teams face restarting long, tedious hiring and onboarding processes. Some businesses, especially startups, may require more investment in brand visibility and recognition in a crowded marketplace, making it challenging to attract top talent who favour more established firms.

Key steps to recruiting and retaining the right talent

• • Choose an experienced recruitment partner
    The best partnerships are a result of teams having the right blend of deep industry experience, extensive local knowledge and a global outlook. An experienced recruitment partner can leverage job portals, referrals and their own network to help you source the right candidates, with the shortest time-to-hire.

• • Look for demonstrated understanding of company values & local culture
    Recruitment teams that operate in multiple locations–regionally and globally–are often better equipped to hire and integrate candidates that align with the company’s core values and diverse local cultures.

• • Verify compliance credentials
    When working with recruitment teams, ensure that they have compliant processes in place that adhere to local laws and regulations in each jurisdiction (enabling quicker onboarding and hassle-free paperwork). Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Government Relations Officer (GRO) Services are essential to facilitating business setup.

• • Ask about access to local talent pools
    Recruitment teams that have built their business and relationships within the Middle East are able to source the best local talent with the right expertise, according to your required job specifications or project needs.

• • Discuss their success with employee placement & retention
    Reputable recruitment teams work hard to ensure they can help businesses source the best-fit employees, have a smooth onboarding process and provide ongoing support. Relationships built during this process, as well as ongoing employee nurturing, helps improve retention and overall employee satisfaction. In the case of sudden leavers, the best recruitment teams can also help you find suitable backfills with quick turnaround and onboarding times.

Recruiting effectively in the Middle East requires a strategic approach that includes: working with recruitment teams, enhancing employer branding, investing in local talent development, and streamlining onboarding processes & integration for better end-to-end employee experiences. By addressing these challenges, businesses in the UAE and KSA can better position themselves to attract and retain the talent necessary for success in their respective industries.

Let’s start a conversation

Trans Skills can help you source, hire and onboard top talent for your business across the Middle East. Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can support your recruitment needs. You can also visit our page to learn more.

The information provided herein is general in nature and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. The information provided here is not legally binding. The information, data or views expressed here is for the exclusive use of the recipient and is subject to changes without any notice. You may ask the support team or your dedicated relationship manager to provide additional information regarding Trans Skills solutions.