Thriving industries and education satisfaction
This year, many industries in the MENA region are booming with career opportunities for fresh graduates. Interestingly, more than four in five respondents (82%) are satisfied with the quality of higher education they received, with 35% being ‘very’ satisfied.
Respondents believe certain industries hire more fresh graduates due to lower salary expectations (42%) and the ability of young graduates to handle more challenges (37%).
Ola Haddad, General Manager at Bayt.com, said: “Our latest Fresh Graduates Survey reveals how young job seekers view the job market and identify the most attractive industries. Bayt.com offers various tools to help fresh graduates build their CVs, improve their skills, and expand their professional expertise.”
Key workplace skills
Respondents identified computer skills (53%) as the most important to excel in the workplace, followed by interpersonal/team skills and communication skills (both at 39%). They rated themselves highly in interpersonal/team playing skills (89%), communication skills (86%), and flexibility/adaptability to change (85%).
Job search challenges and preferences
The survey found that 43% of MENA graduates struggle with job search strategies and finding relevant jobs. Nearly 63% of graduates had work experience during or before college. For MENA respondents, job nature or passion (46%) is the most important factor when selecting a job. Around 74% of fresh graduates expect a basic salary, while 45% anticipate personal medical insurance. If unable to find a desired job, 54% of MENA graduates would continue searching, and 28% might consider other roles.
Zafar Shah, Account Director at YouGov, said: “The survey provides valuable insights into aligning recruitment efforts with the aspirations of recent graduates in the MENA region. The findings show an increasing openness among employers to hire fresh graduates, reflecting a significant change in the skills demanded in our digital age.”
The data for this survey was collected online from respondents in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.
