80,000 job applications in one month
This piece was originally shared on LinkedIn in response to recurring conversations with founders and leadership teams around this topic.
I’m publishing it here as part of an ongoing body of thinking around restaurant strategy, market entry, and operational decision-making.
It’s no secret that Dubai is one of the hottest places to live and work right now, but even I was surprised to read these figures shared by the founder of a UAE recruitment company.
Dubai shot into the international spotlight after the pandemic as expats arrived to enjoy everything the region had to offer.
As someone who left and subsequently returned to the region, I am forever reeling off reasons why it is an incredible place to do business, develop personally and professionally, and design a life that works for you.
Innovation. The pace of business in the UAE is much faster than in any other market I’ve experienced. It is unmatched for people who thrive on ‘getting things done’ and excel in dynamic companies expanding, pushing boundaries, and setting new standards.
Career Progression. Realising “the next step” during challenging economic times can be tricky if business is static. Dubai’s constant innovation and growing market create unmatched career opportunities. Whilst attractive personally, these possibilities are also incredibly exciting from a team-leadership perspective, presenting opportunities to mould, develop and progress incredible teams within a business.
Cognitive Diversity. People from massively diverse backgrounds make up the workforce in Dubai. Exposure to all these different ideas and perspectives allows for endless new ways of thinking, increased innovation, improved problem-solving and creativity whilst challenging entrenched ways of working and developing leadership skills in entirely new ways.
Lifestyle. Dubai is a fantastic place to live. You can live in the city, or you can live by the beach. There are activities for families, couples or single people. It’s incredibly safe and a fantastic place to raise a family. The sun is shining year-round. You have access to some of the best restaurants and shops worldwide. There are so many incredible places to travel within just a few hours.
Tax (or lack of)! There’s no hiding from this one! Living in a tax-free region is enormously beneficial and can allow people to change their long-term financial situation radically.