How to Find a Job in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has always been one of the most attractive countries in the Middle East to live and work. In particular, Riyadh is considered to have the highest possibility of employment in the region ahead of many other cities, with 49% of respondents saying that the availability of jobs in Riyadh is either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. Riyadh is also considered among the cities that offer the most competitive salaries according to 40% of respondents in the Bayt.com ‘Top Cities in the Middle East’ survey, July 2012. According to the latest Bayt.com Middle East Consumer Confidence Index – August 2014, jobs in Saudi Arabia are plentiful. In fact, 52% of respondents in Saudi Arabia say there are plenty of jobs in the Kingdom for those looking for employment, while 38% of them expect a surge in the number of jobs in Saudi Arabia in the next 6 months. The above-mentioned stats mirror those from the Bayt.com Job Index Survey – July 2014 which shows that 40% of employers in Saudi Arabia are definitely hiring in the coming 3 months, with 65% of them looking to hire up to 10 employees. In light of the above, if you’re looking for a job in Saudi Arabia, then your chances are high to land one! All you need is a plan. Below is a checklist from the career experts at Bayt.com, the Middle East’s number 1 job site, to help you find a job in Saudi Arabia:

1. Build a compelling CV
   Your CV is often the first impression a hiring manager has of you, and you only have a few seconds to grab their attention and invite you in for an interview. It is therefore essential that you get your CV right. Click here to create your CV on Bayt.com now.
2. Create a Bayt.com Public Profile
   Your Bayt.com Public Profile is similar to an online business card. It tells people who you are and what you’re good at, and makes you findable on search engines such as Google.
3. Develop your personal brand
   Your personal brand reflects who you are. Developing one will give employers a realistic assessment of your strengths and the skills that you’ve mastered.
4. Apply for jobs in Saudi Arabia
   There are thousands of jobs advertised every day by employers in Saudi Arabia, so keep an eye on these jobs. You can also follow us on Twitter, at @BaytJobs, for hand-picked jobs in Saudi Arabia and the region.
5. Engage in meaningful discussions on Bayt.com Specialties
   Nowadays, employers want to dig deeper into the personality of the candidates before calling them for an interview. Bayt.com Specialties helps you establish a presence as an expert in your field through meaningful community discussions.
6. Harness your job interview skills
   Harnessing your interview skills will help you stand out from other candidates. Read on to discover the points that you must always remember before going into a job interview.
7. Upgrade to the new Bayt.com Premium Account
   Upgrade to the new Bayt.com Premium Account and enjoy the advanced form of People and Salary Search, but also free contact credits and much more.
8. Follow top companies
   Company pages on Bayt.com show all job vacancies available at a company, gathered in one place. It’s also a great way to research a company before going for a job interview.
9. Network both online and offline
   Bayt.com research shows that 34.5% of professionals found their last jobs through their network of friends and family, closely seconded by 32.5% who found their last job online. Networking is a great way to let people know that you’re looking for a job.
10. Stay up-to-date with the latest news in the job market
    Follow our blog for the latest news in the job market, but also career advice and tips from the experts. Looking for a job in Saudi Arabia is much, much easier than you think. In fact, Bayt.com provides thousands of jobs in Saudi Arabia for all job roles and career levels in any given day. We hope the checklist above will provide a framework for your job search efforts and help you find a job you love.

Good luck!
Photo credit: Faisal AlKhudairy