• Pandemic, digitalisation and transformation in employee priorities shape top jobs
• 6 out of 10 top jobs in UAE and KSA are digital-focused and in need of advanced skills such as programming languages and machine learning
• HR and Talent professionals feature heavily as businesses scurry to hire and retain top talent
• 45% of professionals would change jobs to develop new skills and nearly 50% would move for more money
• Work culture, wellbeing and salary key drivers for employees seeking new jobs

 Data Scientist, Cyber Security Specialist, Talent Acquisition Specialist, and Back End Developer are among the fastest-growing jobs in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to new data from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network.

The pandemic, digitalisation and a slew of new government policies in the region have all influenced this year’s list.

While the list shows a number of new career opportunities in KSA and the UAE, it highlights a new trend in the Kingdom: continued evolution of the workplace and an increase in hiring levels have seen HR and Talent focused roles featured in the top 5. Skills such as Big Data, Network Security and Machine Learning are also some of the fastest growing skills in the region, as technology and AI continue to hold center stage in the region’s agenda.

Confidence is soaring

In line with the unveiling of the fastest growing jobs, new research from LinkedIn reveals that a staggering 9 in 10 MENA professionals feel confident in their current role. This increased confidence could in turn be driving a desire amongst the workforce to change jobs, with 78% considering a switch this year. In the UAE, job competition has also dropped by nearly 35%, and job seekers across markets are in a stronger position to negotiate salaries and terms that benefit their ideal world of work.

It was found that the desire to consider a new job role seems to decrease with age with nearly 9 in 10 (87%) of Gen Z surveyed looking for a change compared to the 71% of boomers and Gen X.

Employees know what they want – and they are ready to ask for it 

The research also uncovered that nearly 85% of workers feel confident enough to push for a promotion or new job opportunities at work, while almost half of the workers surveyed in KSA and 40% workers surveyed in the UAE think their confidence in their role will only get better in 2022. One of the key motivators of this surge in worker confidence can be attributed to the increased prevalence of flexible working with 51% of the workforce saying that it has made them more confident to think about trying a new career.

Salaries appear to be a core factor with 48% citing an increased compensation as a good reason to consider a new job, while 50% also saying that a salary increase would convince them to remain with their current employer.

Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn MENA and EMEA Venture Markets said: “We’re witnessing the tangible impact of a rapidly evolving world of work. New government policies, accelerated digitalization, and renewed business priorities are reflected in the fastest growing job roles we see today. Now more than ever, professionals are rethinking why they work and how they want to work, and as a result of this we have seen employee confidence skyrocket.”

He added, “A staggering 8 in 10 professionals in the UAE and KSA are considering changing their jobs. This is part of a larger global trend that has also seen companies revamp policies and benefits to not just hire, but also retain quality talent. Candidates are being increasingly selective about the organizations they choose to apply for — citing flexibility, compensation, and company culture as critical factors.”

Helping the workforce find new jobs

New research from LinkedIn finds that 78% of people in the UAE and KSA are considering changing roles in 2022, with improved salary (48%) and an opportunity to learn new skills (45%) being the factors most likely to make people move jobs.

To help job seekers, LinkedIn is unlocking a range of LinkedIn Learning courses globally to help professionals gain skills to find their next opportunity. These include courses like: Creating Great First Impressions, Video Interview Tips, Finding a Remote Job and Finding a Job at Companies That Embrace Diversity and Inclusion, to name a few. These courses are available for free until 30 June 2022.

LinkedIn is also releasing its 10th annual Global Talent Trends report, with a focus on the reinvention of company culture. The report offers insights into how companies can stand out and attract top talent in this competitive market.

The UAE’s Top 5 Fastest-Growing Jobs and the skills needed:

KSA’s Top 5 Fastest-Growing Jobs and the skills needed:

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