Emirati influencer embraces power of social media to help fellow citizens secure jobs

What started as a simple question on social media has led an Emirati influencer to use his internet fame to connect hundreds of jobseekers with employers.

Hasan Al Ameer, who has more than 100,000 followers and millions of views on many of his videos, says helping fellow citizens find jobs is his passion.

His accounts under the name Dar Zayed, Arabic for House of Zayed, regularly feature job postings in the public and private sector.

Mr Al Ameer, 50, who has held a full-time role in a private-sector company for the last 20 years, said the idea for using social media to help Emiratis came to him in 2019 when he was trying to help a relative, who couldn't land a job despite graduating from university.

“At that time, I posted a question on my various social media accounts asking Emiratis how they looked for jobs and aimed to utilise their skills,” he said.

The response was overwhelming, and it led him to use his social media channels to help jobseekers. He started by building a solid network with local recruitment firms and the hiring team of several companies after connecting with them at various job fairs over the years.

“Today, many companies send me updates on job openings. And, I post them on my channels after checking the authenticity of the company and the offer," Mr Al Ameer told The National.

"Helping others achieve their career goals is my passion."

He posts about openings across sectors, including marketing, finance, construction, engineering, graphic design, health and administration. His recent post from Al Zahra hospital in Dubai, which is looking for nurses, pharmacists, physotherapists and HR people, has been hugely popular.

Tips on building resumes and cracking interviews

It's not only about job postings, Mr Al Ameer also shares tips on how to create impressive CVs, ways to excel in job interviews and training opportunities. “Getting a job requires effort and planning, especially for fresh graduates. It's hugely competitive, and they need the right support and guidance," Mr Al Ameer added.

He spends his own money to record videos that educate jobseekers about how to secure a job. “I work on my social media pages during my weekends and post vacancies after finishing my work,” Mr Al Ameer added.

Changing lives

Many of his social media followers credit him for helping them land their dream jobs.

Shoug Al Yammahi, who graduated in mechanical engineering in 2021 and landed her first job a year later, was on the lookout for better prospects when she met Mr Al Ameer at an office she was interviewing with. "It was a chance meeting, but he suggested I apply for another job in Dubai that was better suited for my engineering background," she told The National.

"I got the job, and moved from Fujairah to Dubai, and haven't been happier. The pay is better and the opportunities are more." Mr Al Ameer, she added, even called to check if she was recruited. "I continue to follow his pages because his videos help me learn so much."

Essa Mohammed, 27, also gained from Mr Al Ameer's posts, finding a job that matched his finance background. “I’m thankful for his exceptional support and guidance during my job search. He was able to land me two job offers within a day, which demonstrates his dedication in connecting candidates with the right opportunities,” Mr Mohammed told The National. “He is an outstanding mentor and adviser. I am truly grateful for his help in developing my career.”

Mr Al Ameer is also inundated with voices of gratitude for the help he offers. “I've received hundreds of letters from followers telling me they got a job because of my posts,” he added. “It is hugely satisfying to know I managed to help so many of them.”

He recalls how an Emirati man initially obtained a job at a construction company for a salary of Dh5,000 after applying to an opening posted on his social media channels. “Within 14 months, he got a promotion and his salary went up to Dh13,000. And, later he found another job in a global company for a salary of Dh30,000."

Mr Al Ameer wants to continue helping Emiratis have "access to the resources they need to succeed in their careers".

More opportunities in private sector for Emiratis

With the country's Emiratisation drive focusing on increasing the number of UAE nationals in private sector jobs, Mr Al Ameer is confident there are better career opportunities for them.

“We have skilled people that can be very useful for companies in the private sector,” he said. "Our youngsters have great potential and can develop the right skills once they get the proper training."

Mr Al Ameer recalls how he joined the private sector for a salary of Dh4,000. "Now I’m in very good position in the company with a higher salary and great work environment.”

The Nafis programme was introduced in September 2021 with a mission to ensure 10 per cent of all skilled jobs in private companies are taken up by UAE citizens by the end of 2026. As of August, about 81,000 Emiratis had joined private companies since Nafis was launched, with the total number of Emiratis working in the private sector standing at 113,000.