UAE expat jobseekers' dilemma: Leave or stay put?

Dubai - Hiring slows down but forecasts suggest pace could pick up in 2017.

Hiring in the UAE has slowed down in line with uncertain market conditions even as forecasts suggest the pace of hiring could pick up in 2017. 
According to the Monster Employment Index (MEI), September was particularly bleak, with the UAE registering a 33 per cent year-on-year decline in overall job opportunities posted online compared to September 2015 (click here to find the latest jobs). 
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The continuing decline observed over the past three months could be attributed to the stagnant oil prices and the challenging market conditions that have made companies hesitant about growing their workforce, says the online recruitment firm. 
"Jobseekers in the UAE have been facing difficulty finding relevant employment opportunities online over the past few months as companies reduce their hiring activity in light of the current economic difficulties being faced," said Sanjay Modi, Managing Director, Monster.com, APAC & Middle East. 
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However, he notes that the current market conditions - and the resultant lull in hiring - may not last very long. "Hope should not be diminished immediately," he notes. 
And therein lies the dilemma staring expat jobseekers in the face. Should expat professionals without a job - or one that they're satisfied with - hold on in the hope that conditions will imminently improve? Or should they take a call on exiting the country for now and returning when job opportunities beckon? 
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Experts maintain that, all other things being equal, companies usually prefer an on-ground candidate to one that they have to interview remotely. 
In addition, a locally resident candidate is also able to join faster than those that have to wrap up things in another country and then make the move. 
Finally, what works for local hires is that they need minimal orientation in the local culture and the area, and can hit the ground running.
Those who join from another country (even if they have past local experience) need a longer gestation period to settle down - look for a place to rent, for instance. 
On the other hand, it get increasingly difficult for those without a job to continue living in the UAE as there remain practical issues of expats' residence visas, which are usually dependent on at least one person in full-time employment. 
According to Monster's index, despite the oil price being what it is, the UAE has far better job opportunities than its other oil-producing neighbours. 
"While low oil prices are affecting the nation's economy, the UAE is ahead of other GCC countries in regards to the nation's economic diversification efforts, meaning it is less reliant on its oil economy and will be less affected by its price," he says. 
He adds that opportunities look particularly exciting in the near future, especially with Expo 2020 less than four years away. "With a positive outlook for the UAE in 2017, and with many projects in the pipeline gearing up to expo 2020 and 2021 visions, we expect the UAE employment market to steadily improve across sectors as companies become more confident in the UAE economy and plans start to materialize," he says.
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