8 people who can help you land your dream job in UAE

Your qualifications and experience are very important if you want to set your foot in the job market. That is what experts call ‘formal recruiting’.

But what’s now gaining significance is recruitment being done through contacts, your friends, you colleagues and even the person next door – in short ‘informal recruitment’.

Applying to various jobs posted on employment portals and job boards is, of course, the most obvious thing to do if you are looking for a job, but knowing the right people in the right places can do wonders, more than what you think.

Having said that, not many have access to all the recruitment heads in big companies nor do they know them personally or even through a contact. If you, like me, are not a social media butterfly, or even a regular to country clubs, CEO clubs or high-power cocktail parties, what’s the option?

It’s always good to know people who take your calls and, better still, are willing and in a position to put a good word about you. But what if you don’t? Well, turns out there’s more to the picture.

There are people, who will be more accessible to you, perhaps known and more forthcoming when it comes to helping those who need it the most. And it’s important that you keep in touch with such people even when you may not be actively looking for a change.

So who are these people who can help you in the process of what we just described – ‘informal recruiting’?

Recruitment experts in the UAE shared with Emirates24|7 their list of eight kinds of people who can help you land your dream job in the UAE, and this includes those who call the shots or just another person who can put in a word for you.

# Hiring manager

As a lot of jobs are posted on LinkedIn, it may not be a difficult task to trace the hiring manager of the company you’ve applied to.

“Sometimes, the hiring manager is connected to the jobseeker through LinkedIn and is the most active and direct contact to seek a job,” says Ash Athawale, Recruitment Manager at Reed Specialist Recruitment.

# HR or Recruitment Manager

Knowing the person who will perhaps initially screen you before you get to talk to your manager may be ones of the most desirable things if you need a job.

“If you have a good rapport with the HR or the recruitment manager, rest assured that you’ll make it to the first round of the interview,” said the HR manager of a multinational bank on the condition of anonymity.

“It is the next best bet for a direct application,” says Athawale.

# Former and current colleagues

Your current and former colleagues can help you in a big way. You will have an added advantage if you are a member of a professional association that may put you in touch with other people in the same sector.

“Former and current colleagues are a great source to network with,” says the Reed expert.

“Like begets like and if they know you and your skills, they are more than likely to refer you to the company. It may also help them get a referral bonus. This includes your boss. If she/he is being headhunted and you have a good relationship with them, they are likely to refer you to opportunities that they aren't keen on but may be good for you,” he explains.

# Alumni contacts

“Out of sight, out of mind,” goes the old saying but you should not adhere to this belief. In times that we live in, it’s not difficult to keep in touch with people you may have been with in school and these contacts can go a long way in your professional life.

“It is quite surprising how people don’t utilise this network from school or college. They should connect with these alumni even when you aren't looking for a job. That is Networking 101,” emphasises Athawale.

# Know thy neighbour

We may be very busy in our own lives but being friendly with your neighbour not only increases your social circle but can also help you in your professional life.

“While that might seem to be an unlikely source, it doesn't have to be your next door neighbour – could be someone who lives in the same apartment building/community or the ones you meet at the building gym,” says Athawale.

# Your personal friends

Friends in need are friends indeed, and one source you can always rely on. “While your connections on LinkedIn are the best source, don’t overlook people that you are connected to socially. Make them aware that you are looking out but do it subtly,” says the manager at Reed.

“Your BBM and Whatsapp contact list should also come handy. These are people who are already connected with you and your carefully worded status can get you queries about interesting roles,” he says.

“However, depending on the level of your search – active or passive, use subtlety and finesse when mentioning you are looking for a job. People will avoid overactive and overbearing jobseekers. You don’t want to lose friendships over your job search.”

# Parents of your children’s friends

Now, did we think of that? Well, according to Athawale, it’s a bad idea to miss out this circle of people. “These are people who you meet fairly regularly at Parent-Teacher’s meetings and it is good idea to know what they do and also for them to know about you.”

# Your doctor or dentist or physiotherapist

Nobody likes to be in pain but sadly we all visit the doctors once in a while. The good news is that hiring managers, HR managers and recruitment heads also fall sick. And, the silver lining is that we all trust our doctors… when they treat us and also their referrals.

“Hiring managers have medical problems too, so there is a possibility that a referral may be made in that setting,” hints Athawale. That, perhaps, is a long shot, but there’s no harm in trying, now is there?

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