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Unsurprisingly, working from home has been popular for many workers, although it hasn’t been a win for every profession.

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, working remotely or partially remotely has many takers. Modern Job Search Strategies in the MENA 2023 survey by Bayt.com found that 85% of respondents lean more towards companies that allow remote work all or some of the time, while 91% have noted that they are considering shifting jobs in 2023.

The results suggest that given its popularity, remote work is likely here to stay and is a necessary offering for businesses that want to retain talent, particularly at higher levels.

Ola Haddad, Director of Human Resources at Bayt.com, said, “Our latest survey provides data on how job seekers adapt and thrive in these emerging trends. Employers must also keep these trends in mind to remain competitive, whereas job seekers should focus on developing the necessary skills and harnessing digital tools to stay relevant and successful in a more balanced and future-ready work environment.”

The modern professional prioritizes several skills – around 85% expect remote hiring to increase in the next few months, signaling an evolving job market embracing digital transformation and evolving work policies.

Respondents have also noted the top three most important skills to be the ability to work without supervision, 34%, flexibility and adaptability, 27%, and self-motivation and discipline, 17%. This data highlights the increasing need for autonomy in the present job landscape. 

The report also found that when looking for new opportunities, 71% of respondents prefer online job websites compared to traditional job hunting methods. For recruiters in the region, these findings mean that investing more in digital platforms is necessary for the future of work. 

One aspect that has remained is the primary mode of communication being email, recorded at 41% between candidates and employers, with 38% being online job websites. Video interviews in the hiring process have also bred a familiarity among 53% of surveyees, while there is a distribution for other methods, such as face-to-face 30% and phone interviews 27%.