Dubai: Emaar, Emirates Airline, Etisalat and Etihad Airways are among the largest and most successful brands in the UAE, so it’s no wonder that most people want to work for them.
The four UAE-based brands emerged in the top ten ranking of employers that are preferred by jobseekers in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), according to the latest study released on Wednesday by LinkedIn Corporation, which has over 400 million members worldwide. Two other homegrown businesses, Al Tayer Group and Dubai Islamic Bank, showed up in the top 20,
The professional social networking site reviewed millions of interactions from its members to find out which companies are mostly in demand in the job market.
Emaar snagged the number one spot, beating other huge global companies like Google, Apple and Procter & Gamble (P&G) . Shell emerged as the second most sought-after company, followed by Emirates Airline, P&G, Etisalat, Unilever, Saudi Aramco, Apple, Etihad Airways and BP.
Rounding up the top 20 are Google, KEO International Consultants, Al Tayer Group, Schlumberger, Weatherford, Dubai Islamic Bank, OSN, Qatar Petroluem, GE and Consolidated Contractors Company.
Ali Matar, head of LinkedIn talent solutions, Mena, said the 20 employers have attracted jobseekers' interest because they "have invested heavily in their employer brand, adopted a strategic approach to talent acquisition" and embraced social recuiting.
"In addition, the fact that they are strong local brands that have well-earned international reputations is undoubtedly a pull factor for local candidates," Matar told Gulf News.
Ahmad Al Matrooshi, managing director of Emaar Properties, said the results of the study highlight that their company is the most preferred “employer of choice” in the Mena region.
“It demonstrates the rewarding career and personal development opportunities that Emaar offers to its team members, who become part of a dynamic company that is quickly expanding across the region.”
“Emaar offers an inspiring work environment where our employees work with professionalism and pride on the development of our iconic properties.”
He said the company promotes the credo, “No Other Way”, that encourages staff to deliver their best while learning from their senior managers.
Abdulaziz Al Ali, Emirates’ executive vice president for human resources, said the airline showed up in the ranking because it is still an “employer of choice for candidates” in the Middle East and around the world.
The airline receives nearly 500,000 applications for just a few thousand positions every year, highlighting the company’s popularity among professionals looking for work.
“Candidates are attracted to work at Emirates because of our reputation as one of the world’s most admired and successful airlines, as well as the career advancement opportunities and the stability that comes from working at a growing and highly profitable enterprise,” said Al Ali.