Congratulations on graduating! That is a huge achievement. You have your degree, and now you are ready to find your first job in the UAE. As a recruiter, I see many graduates enter the job market every year. It can feel tough, but with the right approach, you can find a great starting role.

Here is a detailed guide on what we see works every single day.

1. Get Your Basics Right: Your CV

Your CV is your first handshake. In the UAE, companies get hundreds of applications for one job. Yours must be clear, professional, and easy to read. This is the one thing you must get right.

Keep it to one page. As a fresh graduate, you do not need more. Recruiters spend only a few seconds on each CV. Make those seconds count.

Tailor it. Do not send the same CV everywhere. Read the job description. If it asks for “teamwork” and “Excel skills,” make sure those words are in your CV. Show them you are a good fit for that specific job.

Check for errors. A single spelling mistake can get your CV rejected. It shows a lack of care. Ask a friend, professor, or family member to read it.

Write a simple cover letter. This is your chance to show your interest. Do not just repeat your CV. Briefly explain why you want to work for that company and that role. Keep it to three short paragraphs.

2. Know Where the Jobs Are: High-Growth Sectors

To improve your chances, focus your search on industries that are actively hiring. Right now in the UAE, the biggest growth is in:

Technology & AI: This is the fastest-growing area. Companies need software developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity specialists.

Digital Marketing & E-commerce: As everyone moves online, the need for digital marketers, SEO specialists, and e-commerce managers is very high.

Finance & FinTech: The UAE is a major financial hub. Roles in financial analysis, accounting, and new financial technology (FinTech) are in demand.

Engineering & Construction: With many large projects, qualified civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers are always needed.

Healthcare: The healthcare sector is expanding quickly, creating roles not just for medical staff but for admin, IT, and finance within hospitals and clinics.

3. What Companies Want: In-Demand Competencies

Your degree gets you the interview, but your skills get you the job. We look for a mix of technical (“hard”) skills and personal (“soft”) skills.

In-Demand Competencies for Entry-Level Roles

4. The Most In-Demand Graduate Roles

Based on what we are hiring for right now, some roles are much more common. Focusing your applications on these titles can get you more callbacks.

In-Demand Graduate Roles for 2025

5. Know Where to Look for Jobs

You need to search where companies are hiring. Do not just search “jobs in UAE.” Be specific. Spending your time on the right platforms makes a big difference.

Key Private Job Portals

LinkedIn: This is the number one professional platform. It is not just for finding jobs; it is for building your professional name.

MyJobFeed.co One of the most powerful AI searches, which searches for new jobs and sends out daily updates.

Bayt.com: One of the largest job sites in the Middle East.

GulfTalent & NaukriGulf: These are also very popular and widely used by recruiters.

Attend Career Fairs

Career fairs are one of the best ways to meet recruiters and get interviews. Many companies attend these events specifically to hire fresh graduates.

Careers UAE: A major event in Dubai focused on graduate hiring and Emiratisation.

National Career Exhibition: Held in Sharjah, this is another large fair for graduates.

University Fairs: Most universities (like Zayed University, UAEU, AUD) host their own career fairs. These are excellent because companies are there specifically to hire students from your school.

Online/Virtual Fairs: Keep an eye out for virtual job fairs, which are becoming more common.

6. What to Expect: Salaries

It is important to have realistic expectations for your first salary. For most fresh graduate roles in the UAE, you can expect a starting salary between AED 6,000 and AED 12,000 per month.

This changes a lot based on your field. Here is a more detailed look at typical starting monthly salaries for the roles we discussed.

Expected Monthly Salary for In-Demand Graduate Roles (AED)

Source: Data compiled from 2024/2025 market research.

Remember, these are not guaranteed. They depend on the company, your skills, your internships, and how well you interview.

7. Find Company Graduate Programs

Many of the UAE’s biggest companies run special programs for new graduates. These are a great way to get training and a full-time job. They are structured to help you learn and grow.

Corporate Graduate Programs (Open to All Nationalities)

These programs are typically open to all graduates who meet the criteria, regardless of nationality.

Emiratisation-Focused Programs

It is important to know that many of the best programs are part of “Emiratisation”—the UAE’s plan to support its citizens in finding jobs. These are for UAE Nationals only.

Finding your first job takes time and effort. Do not get discouraged if you get rejections. Every graduate goes through this. Stay organized, keep tailoring your CV, and be persistent. You have new skills and a fresh perspective to offer.