Over 90% of professionals in the UAE are optimistic about their future professional success, showing confidence in their skills and adaptability in the evolving professional market. A survey Future of Work in the MENA 2023 by Bayt.com, a job site, revealed that only 7% of surveyed professionals were worried about the future and what future jobs will entail. 

The survey revealed that while technical skills were important to succeed in a job, soft skills like time management and teamwork were considered important by 98% of professionals, while 97% considered communication the key soft skill. Around 52% of the respondents believe that technical and soft skills will be equally important in the workplace in the next ten years. 

While 91% of the respondents believe that creative thinking will be a more valued skill in the future, 88% say technology/computer skills and time management will be among the top skills in ten years. 

The survey found that while currently previous job experience (88%) and CV presentation and cover letter (83%) are considered to be of utmost importance when hiring new employees, previous job experience will continue to be the top factor (80%) that will continue to dominate in future. The fact that more than 6 out of 10 respondents believe that technological factors will continue to play a key role in future jobs emphasizes the need for professionals to keep updating their technical and digital skills. 

The survey also found that 54% of respondents consider social and professional networks the most reliable in the job-seeking process, while 51% feel that online job boards and career websites will hold more importance in seeking jobs in the future. 

“Technology and the job market are constantly changing, and this survey helps us understand the expectations and concerns of professionals in the Mena region. The results indicate that the demand for specific skills will continue to grow, and employers must adapt to these changes,” said Zafar Shah, Research Director at YouGov.