Thousands of jobseekers flocked an Emiratisation job fair at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) to submit their applications and meet potential employers.

Tawdheef, the three-day job fair started on Monday will conclude today. The annual recruitment show links qualified Emirati talents and job seekers with employers from government and private firms.

Employers asking for work experience as a major requirement for being hired is still a big challenge for many Emirati job seekers who have just graduated from school, said one of the attendees.

Zainab Hassan Al Nuaimi, an Emirati fresh graduate, said she had submitted many applications for IT jobs in various companies since she completed school in 2019, but she has been rejected for lack of experience.

“It’s very absurd that most employers ask for the experience even from a fresh graduate. How can I get the experience when I haven’t been given the opportunity to work anywhere?” Al Nuami asked Khaleej Times.

Another jobseeker, 23-year-old Mariam Mohammed with a degree in accounting from HCT – Abu Dhabi, said it was her first time visiting the job fair and she was hopeful it might help her find a job.

“I completed my course and I am here to look for a job. I have spoken to quite a number of employers and I believe I have the qualifications they are looking for,” she said, adding that it has been her first time to attend the job fair.

Young Emiratis seek MoI jobs

On Tuesday, hundreds of jobseekers flocked the Ministry of Interior (MoI) stand and lined up in long queues to apply for jobs through smart applications.

“We have received an overwhelming number of job seekers since the first day of the job fair and this is normal for us at such an event. Many young people want to work for the ministry because they have confidence in us,” said an official.

“The ministry is operating across the nation and we recruit job aspirants from all fields.”

The official didn’t give the exact number of job applications they have received at the fair but noted that it could be up to 2,000 applications a day.

What employers are looking for

Khalifa Al Tamimi, design engineer at Halcon, an Abu Dhabi defence company is under EDGE, said they are looking for great skills, efficiency and people who can add value to the company.

“Currently, we have about 200 employees. But the company is looking forward to employing 400 people, majority UAE nationals, over the coming five years. But they have to be specialised and very smart at what they are doing,” said Al Tamimi, adding that Halcon recruits employees in the engineering field, including aerospace, electrical and software engineers, chemical engineers and others.

He advised jobseekers to apply to jobs that suit their profile and field.

“It is important that job seekers are selective with their search. They should only send out applications for those roles in which they meet most, if not all, the criteria,” he said.