GCC online job adverts soar 30 per cent in Q3

The number of GCC job adverts posted online rose 30 per cent in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the previous quarter, as higher oil prices and stronger economic growth prompt firms to increase hiring activity, according to a study.

The quarterly uptick in recruitment demand swung from an annual decline in full-year 2017, when the number of GCC adverts posted on job websites dropped by 15 per cent year-on-year, the study by recruitment portal Monster Gulf showed.

The firm’s latest analysis of online job posting activity in the region shows that recruitment demand has been rising steadily on a quarterly basis since the fourth quarter of 2017.

“The growing online hiring trends experienced across the GCC can be largely attributed to the various reforms and stimulus packages being rolled out by regional governments to advance the non-oil sector,” said Abhijeet Murkherjee, chief executive of Monster Gulf and Asia Pacific, in a statement on Monday.

“Furthermore, we are seeing structural reforms across the GCC, as opposed to revenue injections, which underlines the region’s determination to taper off its oil dependency and achieve long-term economic sustainability.”

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Market diversification will play a significant role in the continued growth of the GCC, he said, helped by reforms to expand the region’s private sector, such as the introduction of long-term visas for some expatriate professionals and easier licencing requirements for new businesses.

The technology sector accounted for the largest proportion of jobs adverts in the third quarter, fuelled by GCC ambitions to build high-tech cities, such as Sharjah’s $6.5 billion Aljada Smart City and Kuwait’s eco-friendly Saad Al Abdullah City Project.

“The high demand for technology professionals is no surprise given the rapid digital transformation of the GCC in recent years,” Mr Murkherjee said. “Furthermore, evolving customer demands are putting pressure on businesses to offer more digitalised services – creating opportunities for IT professionals.”

The other most active industries for recruitment include, in order of growth: consumer goods, oil and gas, manufacturing and production, financial services, education, chemicals, healthcare, hospitality, engineering and retail.

Advertising, public relations and media saw a decline in the volume of ads, according to Monster.