Are employers in the UAE and KSA moving in the right direction when it comes to talent attraction and retention? Well, not quite! According to an alarming report by LinkedIn, 75 percent of working professionals in the UAE and KSA are seeking new opportunities in 2025.  

The report, which surveyed over 22,000 professionals and 8,000 global HR and talent professionals, also highlights key challenges in job searching and finding talent with the right skills. The key findings from the report include:  

Finding the right talent with the right skills: LinkedIn finds that nearly 50 percent of HR professionals in KSA and the UAE are finding it harder to fill roles with suitably skilled talent. This indicates a significant shift in the job market in 2025, which is changing the way talent finds, applies for, and secures jobs.  

Job search struggles: While the job search is on the rise, the survey finds that 51 percent of professionals are facing difficulties in finding jobs that match their skills and experience. In addition to this, 58 percent are struggling to maintain a positive outlook during the job search, as 43 percent report that the process is frustrating, and 57 percent find it time-consuming.  

Building optimism in securing jobs: Despite the challenges, 58 percent of professionals seeking new opportunities have an optimistic outlook about landing a new role this year, suggesting that the job market is set to improve despite ongoing obstacles.

You may also like:

• What's shaping jobs roles in 2025: A WEF report
• Salary Outlook 2025: What % pay hike to expect this year?
• 2025 Outlook: How flexibility and diversity drive economic growth
• Is pay transparency the new normal in 2025?
• GCC Stats finds talent mobility & employment surge across gulf

Optimism ≠ effective recruitment: Despite the high hopes of job seekers, they still need to work on their job search skills, as simply applying for more jobs will not necessarily help them secure one. Among job seekers, 44 percent who have doubled their applications this year are yet to receive any response from recruiters. Additionally, 48 percent believe it is harder than ever to get a response to their applications. It is not smooth sailing for recruiters either. Around 29 percent of HR and talent acquisition professionals report spending up to five hours sorting through job applications, and 69 percent reveal that only half of the applicants meet the criteria for the job roles. Furthermore, approximately 50 percent of job applicants wish for better or more efficient ways to determine whether their skills match a job's requirements. However, 35 percent admit to applying for all open positions regardless of whether their skills and experience align.  

 “It’s easy to see why job seekers are applying to more roles than ever, trying to break through the job market, but it’s not working. However, the views of HR professionals we surveyed show that the hiring market is healthy– so professionals need to shift their approach and be more strategic in applying for roles that match their skillset so they stand out,” shared Najat Abdelhadi, LinkedIn Career Expert. She also outlined effective tips for professionals seeking new opportunities in 2025 including, adopting an adaptability approach, upskilling, using AI to optimise their job search and visibility, and using job search tools correctly