Job Hunting During Ramadan Doesn't Have To Be Hard. Read These 5 Tips

Did you know that Ramadan is actually the perfect time for people to focus on finding a job? According to recent work poll, 60% of professionals indicate that hiring during Ramadan increases, or is at the same level as the rest of the year.

This only means that job seekers should take advantage of Ramadan and focus on finding a job. Here are 5 helpful tips to guide you in your search.

Job Hunting Tips During Ramadan

1. Always be on top of your game.
Do not slack. The job will not find you, you should find them. Millions of people are also looking for a job, not just you. You should always check new job postings, other recruiting sites, and check company websites for job ads.

2. Improve your CV.
Update your CV with your current photo and details and check each point one by one to make sure there’s no error. A well-written CV with no mistakes definitely impresses recruitment managers. Your CV is what makes a company call you back.

3. Make an impression with your cover letter.
Do not make a generic cover letter that’s copied from the internet. You need to make an effort before applying. Companies would appreciate your effort to impress them even before applying. Job role specific cover letters will do the trick.

4. Manage your time wisely.
Ramadan is the best time for self-improvement. Use your extra time to apply for jobs and improve your skills. You can take courses and tests to show your prospect employers that you are improving your skills constantly.

5. Network with the right people.
Focus on building a network with other professionals in the same industry you’re working for. LinkedIn is a good way to find like-minded professionals. They can help you land your dream job by giving you tips.

When is the right time to apply for a job in Dubai?

There is really no good or bad time when applying for a job in Dubai. But it is highly recommended that you apply from September to May. Avoid submitting applications during December as most employers are away. June, July, August, and December are dead months in Dubai.

Ramadan falls on from May to June, while Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are celebrated on June and August. During Ramadan, there is a reduced working hour and business activities are slow. December is the month when Christmas holidays and national day in the UAE are celebrated. Most people are away on vacation and not available for interviews.

If you wish to apply in Dubai, you need to take advantage of the months when the hiring activity is in full swing. This is usually the period after Ramadan. Make the most of this time and prepare to apply in a competitive job market in Dubai.

What are common mistakes you should avoid when job hunting in Dubai?

Most people come to Dubai to enjoy a tax-free salary and seek career growth. However, there’s a majority of people who still commit mistakes while job hunting in Dubai. Avoiding these mistakes can help you take advantage of job hunting in Dubai:

Wrong timing
While most people come to Dubai in the wrong month, they think this will not affect their job hunting. However, in Dubai, you need to consider the best time to apply for a job. Dubai has a typically hot weather and a seasonal job market. You may want to visit Dubai after Ramadan or Eid. You can start application during January and July. If you’re applying for a job in schools, you can start application in August, as this is when most schools in Dubai hire new people.

Incomplete CV
This is one of the most common mistakes most job applicants do. Some applicants have unprepared CV or poorly written CV. You need to customize your CV for the job application you’re interested in. Use a formal CV format. Your CV makes a good impression to employers. You need to have a CV that will impress employers within just seconds of viewing your CV. All human resource representatives receive CVs on a daily basis. Yours need to stand out from the pack.

No Strategy
Treat job hunting like a project. You need to set a target and steps you need to take to achieve your goal. You should have a job strategy. Don’t just shoot your CV at random companies. Develop a strategy that can be broken into days. For example, you can try to send to 50 companies per day, and hunt for 50 more job websites and create your profile daily. You need to focus on your goal and assess which strategy works for you.

Only applying online
Do not rely on just one medium when applying for jobs. If you have an account on LinkedIn, don’t just stop there. Look for 4-5 more websites to create a profile for your job search. Apply on daily vacancies and wait for calls. While browsing company websites, go to their career pages and see how you can apply for a job. Do you need to drop your CV or do a walk-in interview?

Apply with one CV
This is the worst mistake anyone could ever do while hunting for a job in Dubai. You should not have just one CV. You should make sure your CV is custom-made to every job position. Highlight the skills which the employer is looking for. This increases your chances of getting a job.

Wrong use of social media
Social media is now a powerful tool in your job application. Be active on social media and look for groups which post opportunities. You can join discussion groups and look for new jobs there. You will be amazed at how it offers new opportunities for everyone.

No Networking
Some Human Resource professionals view CVs from referrals than online job sites. References can increase your chances of finding a job. You need to network with other people. You can leverage all the chances you have to gain new friends and networks who can help you find your next job.

Failing the interview
Prepare for interview questions. Research about the company even before you go for the interview. You need to practice in front of the mirror and hone your skills. You don’t just go to the job interview. Prepare and be confident!

Wrong position
Apply for a job once you’re convinced that you are fully qualified and meet all the job poster’s requirements. Most job seekers go for all the jobs they can see. You need to save time and money and to do this, you need to apply at positions which you’re confident you can do.

Agency
Do not always resort to agents. They charge money and in return promise you a job. These are all just scam. Do not be a victim of fake jobs and work your way to a job on your own.

Job Hunting Tips While on Dubai Visit Visa

The job market in the United Arab Emirates is booming with more and more job vacancies and opportunities each year. As a job applicant, you’ll find yourself competing with a sea of applicants. The question is, how will your CV pop out? To top it off, you’re on Dubai visit visa looking for job in Dubai, running out of time because it’s going to expire soon.

Most people think that writing in your CV that you’re on visit visa and its expiring soon will get you a job in Dubai fast. But in fact, it’s not as effective as most people think.

Here’s another fact-hiring managers will only care about their company. It doesn’t matter to them if your visa is expiring soon.

1. Be Professional in Your Approach
You should always be professional in your approach. You know that your UAE visit visa is going to expire soon and you somehow want the hiring manager to know this, but not in a manner of desperation.

Remember that you can still attend to interviews even after you return to home country. If the company is interested in hiring you, they can provide a plane ticket and a Dubai work visa. Impress the hiring team with your professionalism and confidence. Never show a hint of desperation.

2. Prepare CV & Cover Letter
Be sure that your CV and cover letter is ready. It shouldn’t contain any grammatical errors and all details are accurate. Refer to a guide in writing resume to help you.

3. Indicate Availability for Interview
It is important to let the hiring manager know that you are available within a period of time, which covers the duration of your visit visa. Include these details: Visa Status: Visit Visa, expires X-X-2016

4. Provide contact details
Should your departure date pass, you should include contact details (when you can be reached at your home. It must include home country phone number and email. All three contacts should be included both in your CV and cover letter.

5. Submit your CV
They say that when you apply for a job, you should choose a boss and a company. Once everything is prepared, start sending them to job opportunities in your profession or industry. Be sure to indicate which job you are looking for, salary expectations, and skills relevant to the job opening.

Try to be more specific with your skills and convince the hiring manager that your skills set fit the job requirements.

6. Walk-in Interviews
Most people opt for applying a Dubai job online, but there are also chances for walk-in interviews. Schedule a day in a week for walk-in interviews. Dress up and be confident. Do not forget to mention that you will be in the country up till a particular date. You can tell the hiring manager that they can contact you via phone, email, and online. Do this in a professional manner.

7. Thank You Letter
Right after the interview, do not forget to send a ‘Thank You’ note to the hiring manager. Express your gratitude for the interview. This will make a good impression to the hiring manager and will help recall.

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Do you know other tips to boost your job search during Ramadan? Do share in the comments below.