Dubai: It’s getting even more difficult when it comes to job searching in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

While there has been a general tightening in the hiring market, more than half of professionals now believe that job searches have become ‘harder in the last year’, according to research by LinkedIn.

“Nearly half (46%) of HR professionals surveyed in the UAE and KSA say the search to fill roles with qualified talent has become harder, signalling a necessary shift in the way people will need to apply for – and land – a job in 2025,” according to the networking platform.

Multiple hiring firms have issued updates on the UAE and Saudi job situation. The common theme is that salaries and incentives are under pressure because of the sheer number of aspirants for each position. Many are also willing to take on new jobs at a lower entry-level package.

But that hasn’t stopped from a staggering 75% of polled professionals in the two Gulf states saying they plan to look for a new job this year.

“It’s easy to see why job seekers are applying to more roles than ever, trying to break through the challenging job market - but it’s not working," said Najat Abdelhadi, a LinkedIn career expert.

"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.”

At the start of a year, it’s typical for aspirants to be more active and hopeful about their chances in the marketplace. This could be one reason why such a high percentage – 75% - of professionals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are willing to give it a try.

Some industries, such as tech and retail, continue to hire. Also, jobs in the construction and project sectors continue to be limited and much sought after. Construction, in particular, is seen as a ‘sunrise sector’ for some years to come.

“New projects in Saudi Arabia and UAE are just getting mobilized and tenders awarded,” said a project consultant. “These are backed by ample funding, and we are certain about the good times continuing to roll.”

And that would mean more job prospects too.

According to LinkedIn, nearly three-quarters of this year’s ‘jobs on the rise’ positions are new to its annual lists, with an ‘AI engineer’ emerging as the most common role globally.

This year’s ranking also sees more demand likely for ‘security-focused engineering, travel and in-person service sector roles’.