Skills Outshine Degrees in UAE Job Market

UAE Job Market: Skills and Experience Over Degrees

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) job market, skills and experience are increasingly taking precedence over traditional qualifications. A new trend shows employers focusing not on degrees but on practical knowledge, problem-solving ability, and the right attitude. This change not only enhances the diversity of the labor market but also fosters innovation and corporate culture.

The 'Can-Do' Mentality Wins

HR professionals clearly emphasize that candidates who are willing to do more and possess a 'we solve it smartly' mentality are at an advantage. A skills-based hiring process allows companies to access a broader and more diverse talent pool. A recruitment expert from Genie Recruitment highlights that clients prioritize skills and work ethics over traditional qualifications.

"Around 70 percent of our clients hire solely based on skills. They hardly consider educational background, maybe just 15 percent do. Experience and attitude are much more important," he said. He further mentioned that expectations are also changing for recent graduates: "We see candidates who think that obtaining a diploma allows them immediate access to high-paying positions. This is no longer the case, and more and more of our clients are opting out of hiring fresh graduates."

Experience and Practical Knowledge Take the Lead

Headhunters agree that experience is crucial when assessing a resume. Although traditional educational background was long essential for securing interviews, a significant shift has occurred in recent years. Skills increasingly replace traditional qualifications. This is because skills-based recruitment ensures that no suitable candidate is overlooked due to lack of formal qualifications.

"In the rapidly changing job market, expecting every new employee to be fully ready immediately is increasingly unrealistic. Instead, we should focus on long-term growth and potential. Most jobs can be taught," he added.

The Advantages of Skills-Based Recruitment

The Dubai CEO also emphasizes that skills-based recruitment is becoming the norm in the UAE. "Companies realize that a diploma doesn't always mean someone is the best choice for a position. Real skills, experience, problem-solving abilities, and soft skills are much more important," he said.

He further pointed out that in certain fields, like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, candidates are selected based on practical experience and training certificates rather than traditional degrees. "These candidates developed their skills through bootcamps, certificates, and practical projects. The same applies to marketing and digital marketing, where having a strong portfolio counts more than where or what someone studied," he explained.

The LinkedIn Report and Future Outlook

About 45 percent of companies in the UAE are already transitioning towards skills-based recruitment. "While skills-based hiring has long been standard in Europe, where degrees were also heavily emphasized, I think this change is revolutionary for the UAE and the region. It gives opportunities to people from various backgrounds, expands the talent pool, and ultimately helps companies find the right people based on actual abilities, not just what's on paper. I call this 'plug and play' recruitment. Companies employing this can build stronger and more flexible teams capable of high performance," he added.

Companies Must Adapt

Experts agree that companies need to adapt to market trends and the expectations of the younger workforce to find and retain the right talent. According to the Director of Innovations Group, the UAE is a dynamic hub offering skilled labor. "It's crucial for specialized recruitment firms to develop strategic approaches to address recruitment challenges and skill gaps," he said.

Overall, it can be said that in the UAE job market, skills and experience are increasingly coming to the forefront, while traditional qualifications are being overshadowed. This change benefits not only candidates but also companies, allowing them to attract the best talent, independent of educational background. In the future, this trend is likely to strengthen further, making the UAE job market even more competitive and innovative.