Dubai is a dynamic city with a wealth of opportunities for workers abroad looking for employment. However, navigating this competitive job market is difficult. Especially from abroad, with no connections in the city and no knowledge of how recruiting works in the Dubai. That’s where recruitment and employment agencies can help.
Employment agencies are an important ally for job seekers during one’s job search. They streamline the process, and provide invaluable insights to make each application stand out.
So, how do you work with an employment agency in the Dubai to find your next job? Let’s start from the beginning.
What does an employment agency in Dubai do?
Employment agencies fill in the gap between hiring companies and job-seekers. These third-party companies narrow down the right candidates for companies. They also assist job-seekers to find the right fit for their skills.
As a job seeker, you’ll come across two types of agencies offering to help you find a placement — recruitment and employment agencies.
What’s the difference?
– Recruitment agencies in Dubai work for the employer. Companies send agencies specifications about their open positions, and agencies find a few right candidates among hundreds or thousands of applicants.
– Employment agencies in Dubai work for job seekers. They register applicant’s interest and then find roles for them that match their skills.
What are the benefits of using an employment agency in Dubai?
Employment agencies can be immensely helpful in your job search, whether you’re applying from Dubai or from abroad. Here are a few benefits of building relationships with employment agencies in Dubai:
Receive feedback
Agencies provide helpful feedback throughout the process. They assist you with optimising your resume and give you tips to succeed at your interview. Their insider-knowledge of the job market puts you one step ahead of other applicants.
Access a network of client companies
Employment agencies have connections to hundreds of companies in the region. This means you will have access to plenty of job opportunities, including vacancies not posted on job sites or social media. Applying to jobs before companies advertise them online increases your chances of getting hired.
Get help with salary negotiation
Part of an employment agency’s job is to help you get the best salary possible according to the position, your skills, and your experience. Companies pay agencies a fee based on the applicant’s salary, so it’s also in your agency’s best interest that you get the best deal possible.
Save time
An agency does a lot of the job-hunting process for you. They sort through all the positions to match you with the best fits. That means hours you won’t have to spend looking at job ads and sending resumes to positions that may not be right for you.
Find a variety of jobs
Some employment agencies in Dubai specialize in one industry. You’ll find others that work in several niches and offer a broader range of positions. Depending on your skills and career goals, this can be an advantage, as you’ll find more options to apply to.
Help to navigate the Dubai job market
If you’re living abroad or have recently moved to Dubai, you might not be familiar with how the job market there works. With its portfolio of local and international companies, Dubai employment agencies can make sure your application complies with all the requirements this market expects.
Reduce risk
Fake job adverts and scams are getting more sophisticated and harder to spot. By working with a legitimate employment agency in Dubai, you reduce the risk of coming across scams.
How do employment agencies in Dubai work?
Most Dubai employment agencies work similarly. They receive a list of vacancies companies want to fill and take a few steps to find the right candidates.
The process for you as a job seeker can be lengthy, but it’s not complicated. Here’s what an average application process with a recruitment agency looks like:
- Research which employment agencies Dubai align with your industry.
- Send your resume.
- Schedule an appointment.
- Prepare for the interview.
- Attend the interview.
- Wait for the recruiter to reach out to companies and help you set up interviews.
- Get interview tips from the recruiter.
- Stay in touch with the agency after the interview.
- Accept an offer!
What kind of jobs can you get from Dubai employment agencies?
Recruitment and employment agencies in Dubai can help you get a broad range of jobs — from specialized skilled jobs to jobs that require no special training or previous experience.
Below are a few examples of the types of jobs you’ll find with an agency:
Permanent jobs
Within a company are long-term, full-time or part-time positions. The company pays a fee to the agency to fill this position.
Temp-to-hire positions
These positions start as a temporary job with the option to convert to permanent, depending on the company’s needs and your performance. Most times, these positions are a trial to find out if you’re a good fit for each other.
For companies, it’s convenient to bring in new hires temporarily before going through the process of a permanent hire.
The agency is in charge of paying you during the trial phase. They only receive payment once the company offers you a permanent contract.
Temporary or seasonal jobs
For different reasons, there are plenty of temporary openings within companies. They may try to fill a vacancy while another employee is on leave. Alternatively, they may bring in more staff for a particular project or during a busy season.
How can you make the most of employment agencies?
Quality over quantity
Sending the same old resume to dozens of recruitment agencies won’t work. Even if you’re applying for jobs with no skills or experience required, it’s a good idea to appear professional from the start.
Research every agency and make a list of only a few that work with businesses in your industry. This helps you spot scams early. Plus, ensure you’re submitting better-quality applications to the agencies that can help you.
Follow up
Sending your resume is just the first step. You’ll want to call the agency to make sure they received your resume and to schedule an interview.
How soon should you follow up? Make the contact point in 3-5 days after sending your resume.
An exception is if you receive specific instructions on following-up. If you’ve been told to wait till they get back to you, practice patience!
Build a relationship
Following up is an art. The goal is to get a response and to form a relationship with the recruiters. After all, you want them to know you and what you can bring to the table so they can find the best jobs for you.
Take advantage of any extra services
Some agencies offer paid free training for job seekers. They may offer workshops, online courses, networking events and job fairs. To find out about your agency’s events, sign up for their newsletter or ask your recruiter to keep you in the loop.
Ask questions
The recruiter is there to guide you through the process, so take time to come up with questions for them before your meeting.
Professional recruiters are happy to answer all your questions and make sure the process is clear to you.
What are some red flags to avoid with employment agencies?
Job scams are getting harder to spot. Nowadays, scammers create websites, social media accounts and content to make their fraudulent company seem more legitimate.
It’s important to stay vigilant. Protect yourself and keep in mind these red flags that signify you’ve come across an illegitimate agency.
Charging you a fee to find you a job
In Dubai, it’s illegal for an employment agency to charge job seekers for placements. Fraudulent agencies may seek to charge applicants in different ways:
- Upfront payment to find you a job.
- Admin fee.
- Training fees.
- An interview fee.
- Visa or residence fees
- Taking a percentage of your wages once you’re hired.
- Charging a fee to perform background checks.
These expenses are not the applicant’s responsibility to cover.
Legitimate agencies earn money by taking a commission from the company for every vacancy they fill.
Pressuring you to sign straight away
Legitimate agents will give you as much information about offers as you need and plenty of time to look into your offers.
Here’s what a fraudulent agency may try to do to get you to agree to a fake job offer:
- Pressure you to sign on the spot
- Keep the details about the offer as vague as possible
- Talk you out of reading a contract or consult a lawyer
Accepting a job offer overseas is an enormous commitment. Do not sign any contract you haven’t read or understood. Look into it in detail and ask for help if needed to protect yourself.
Not arranging an interview with you
Any legitimate agency will want to meet job seekers face to face first. After all, they are recommending you to their clients, so they have to make sure you’re representing yourself accurately.
Don’t have details about the position
If they’re vague about the job vacancies or don’t have enough knowledge about the industry, they may be a fraudulent agency. So, if you leave your meeting with more questions than answers, something’s amiss.
Negative reviews
Professional, legitimate employment agencies will have positive reviews consistently across the web. Don’t follow any links the agency sends you or rely only on their website. Look up the agency separately.
Also, pay attention to how they reply to any negative comments. The way companies handle negative comments says a lot about how they operate and how they take care of their customers.
Try the following search terms. Include quotation marks and other symbols to narrow down your search:
- UAE reviews “agency name”
- “agency name” scam
You get an offer right away
Needless to say, if you get an offer right away without going through applying, interviewing and negotiating, it might just be too good to be true.
They should have an excellent reason to get in touch with you. Perhaps you shared your details with them at a job fair or by applying directly on the company’s website.
But any agency offering you a job right off the bat is not legitimate.
Another sketchy situation may be getting an offer with an unusually high salary or too many benefits.
They’re asking for bank details or other confidential information
While a recruiter may ask for an ID during your interview, they should not ask for your bank account details or other personal information. Keep in mind that a recruiter does not need this information.
So, now you know the warning signs. How can you tell if an agency is legit?
How to choose an employment agency in Dubai?
Several renowned recruitment and employment agencies have made Dubai their home, connecting companies and talent from all over the world.
While it’s important to do your due diligence, the scams and frauds shouldn’t put you off applying to jobs in the Dubai. You just need how to recognize a truly legitimate agency. Here’s how to spot it:
It’s a licensed agency
To operate in Dubai, the recruitment or employment agency should have a license from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and be registered at the Ministry of Economy.
Check if the company is registered with the Ministry of Economy, go to this website and enter the recruitment agency’s name. If the name appears on the search results, click on ‘View details’ to see the company description, which should mention recruiting or hiring services.
Check their online presence
When researching an employment agency, consider all the online presence. Does their website look professional? Do all the links work? Are they mentioned in media outlets?
Their online presence should match what they claim.
Positive reviews
Chances are you already know someone who’s worked with the agency you have in mind. So, ask friends, family and acquaintances for their opinion. Any mention of the red flags covered previously should be enough for you to give that agency a pass.
But if their testimonials speak of a legitimate agency and professional recruiters, it’s a good sign you should get in touch.
Still, do your due diligence and look up online reviews on social media and websites like Trustpilot or Glassdoor. Remember to search for news articles that mention this agency in a positive light.
The jobs you’re offered match your skills
Part of a recruiter’s job is to assess your skills, experience, interests, career goals and even personality and find a match with specific positions and companies. This also means being honest when there are no matching vacancies or when your skills or industry are not a good fit for their existing clients. A professional agency won’t waste your time — and theirs — by working with you if they’re not in the best position to help you.
Transparency
A reputed agency will take the time to explain how your contract works and what it covers, who is employing you, what are the terms of that employment, and how you can negotiate.
Employment agencies hire applicants directly, and recruitment agencies only find talent that is then hired by their clients.
In any case, you should receive a contract from the company and an offer letter from the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. To check if the contract is legal, go to this website and enter your details.
Reputation
Some employment and recruiting agencies have been in the business for several decades. While new agencies can be legitimate too, it’s easier to verify a company with extensive experience in the area. Start with the most reputed agencies and work your way down from there.
What are the 12 best employment agencies in Dubai?
There are dozens of Dubai employment agencies in the market, each one dedicated to connecting different companies and industries with the best talent from all over the world.
Below’s a list of 12 reputed employment agencies you can get in touch with today.
Bayt
This renowned employment agency in Dubai has been in the recruitment business for over 20 years, making it one of the leading agencies in the region. It’s received several accolades that speak for its professionalism and quality.
Bayt boasts an extensive network of high-profile clients across the Middle East. Today, they work with over 40,000 companies and over 39 million professionals in the region. Find vacancies listed by using filters to narrow down your search and find the right opportunities for you.
Create an account and upload your resume for free to access their job database and get found by companies.
Hays
This one’s an international recruiting company with a well-established network of clients worldwide. They started operations in the Middle East in 2005, and since then have amassed a broad portfolio of clients ranging from medium-sized businesses to large multinational organisations.
On their website you’ll find jobs in many areas, including the following niches:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Logistics
- Office Support
- Oil and Gas
- Sales
- Supply Chain
They combine their large portfolio of clients with expert recruiters and inside knowledge of their industries to connect job seekers with vacancies in the region.
NADIA
Since its establishment in 1983, NADIA has helped over 230,000 job seekers find placements in companies throughout the Middle East.
After being in the business for over 35 years, this agency has built a strong portfolio of clients in the following sectors:
- Construction
- Consumer Products
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Oil and Gas
- Professional Services
- Retail
- Shipping and Logistics
- Travel and Hospitality
Job seekers can upload the resume for free and start applying to the positions advertised on their website.
BAC Middle East
In its 41 years of operations, this Employment agency in the UAE has positioned itself as a leading staffing agency across industries in the region. They were also the first recruitment company in the world to achieve ISO9001 certification. That’s an international standard to assess a company’s Quality Management System.
On their website, candidates can upload their resume, apply to vacancies, and follow up on their applications for an easy, seamless process.
Charterhouse Middle East
Founded in Sydney, Australia in 2003, it established operations in the Middle East with headquarters in Dubai the following year to great success. In the subsequent years, it also established bases in Singapore, Doha, Hong Kong, and Melbourne.
Their emphasis on personalised services and close working relationship with candidates make them an appealing option for applicants.
On their website, you’ll find several openings in the following sectors:
- Professional Support
- Real Estate & Facilities Management
- Retail & Hospitality
- Sales & Marketing
- Supply Chain & Manufacturing
ANOC
This employment agency has extensive experience and is currently focused on working with clients in the Gulf area. For a small fee, you can hire their resume and cover letter writing services.
With a methodology that combines expert recruiters and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, it’ll be easier than ever to start and move through the process of finding job placement.
They have a broad range of jobs in niche areas like administration and office support, engineering; hospitality; and human resources and recruitment. Thus, making it an appealing option for people of all qualifications, including blue-collar jobs.
Manpower Middle East
This agency boasts over 3,100 offices in 80 locations, 3.4 million placements and 400,000 clients worldwide. Their unique selling point is the combination of this global perspective and unmatched knowledge of their local job markets.
For job seekers, this means leveraging the broad experience, solid portfolio of clients, and experienced recruiters, and knowing that all the process will be done according to the rules.
While they offer placements in virtually all industries, it’s a good place to start if you’re looking for customer service, retail, and service jobs.
Accel HR Consulting Agency
This international employment agency has been in operation in the Middle East for over 10 years, connecting thousands of candidates with companies in need of filling vacancies.
While they have a strong portfolio of clients in different industries, they have placements in
industries like construction, retail, hospitality, logistics, and manufacturing.
ESP International
This boutique employment agency was established in London in 2000. It scaled up its operations in the Middle East after opening its Dubai branch in 2008.
They specialise in events-specific consultancy and hire in a broad range of industries across ten sectors. events agencies, production, exhibitions, conferences, corporate, design & creative, event services, digital marketing, hotels & venues, and not-for-profit.
Something interesting that sets them apart is the launch of The Eventice—a competition for graduates allowing students to compete for jobs in the industry.
For job seekers, this means more specialized guidance within the events industry and better opportunities to send applications to targeted companies in the industry.
Sundus Recruitment and Outsourcing Services
This Emirati-owned and managed employment agency with over 20 years of operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The agency also has an ‘On-Demand Labor Supply (ODLS)’ and Executive Search and Manpower Supply services license, assuring job seekers of the quality of their operations.
Sundus’ website is packed with job advertisements for you to apply in sectors like alternate energy, call centre, construction, telecommunication and so much more.
Meethaq Employment Agency
This employment agency was established in 2013 as part of the Al Ghandi Group. They provide customised staffing solutions for companies in all industries across the UAE, connecting talent from all over the world with vacancies in the country.
The employment agency stands out on this list for offering temporary work and outsourcing services. Temporary work is ideal for job seekers with no previous experience or those who seek more flexibility, such as students.
You won’t find positions advertised on their website, but you can submit your resume via their contact form.
Closing thoughts on Employment Agencies in Dubai
There are plenty of legitimate employment agencies in Dubai that have placed thousands of applicants in their perfect jobs. No matter the industry, the skill level, or the required experience, there is sure to be a spot for you.
Be on the lookout for red flags! Conduct your due research before making an important commitment such as taking a job offer abroad.
With the help of these agencies, you’ll find the perfect job for you in Dubai.
