Interestingly, the majority of companies in the country are seeking strong communication skills in both English and Arabic (78%), the ability to work effectively in a team (53%), the capacity to perform under pressure (43%), along with efficiency/productivity (43%).
This index is published twice a year and represents an in-depth study aimed at measuring job availability and prevailing employment trends. It also highlights key workforce developments across the Middle East and North Africa region, identifying the most in-demand skills and qualifications.
Most Sought-After Skills, Jobs, and Academic Qualifications
Receptionist roles (24%), administrative managers (24%), sales executives (22%), and administrative assistants (22%) are the most frequently sought positions by employers in Jordan over the next quarter. Additionally, 36% of respondents indicated they are looking for candidates with administrative experience (including team management capabilities), 35% are seeking individuals with sales and marketing expertise, while 28% are targeting applicants with IT/computer experience.
Academic qualifications most in demand include computer science certificates (25%), information technology (23%), and engineering (20%).
Commenting on the survey, Ula Hadad, Human Resources Administrative Manager at a leading platform, stated: "The Middle East Employment Outlook continues to reflect rising demand for talent across various sectors and professional levels. Successfully attracting and retaining top talent hinges on adopting a strategic approach—clearly communicating the company’s vision, showcasing its culture, and emphasizing flexible working arrangements."
Employment Trends in Jordan
Job seekers across the Middle East and North Africa region are experiencing positive outlooks, as employers across industries express interest in hiring in the short term. The sectors most likely to expand hiring over the next three months are human resources (68%), hospitality and entertainment (67%), and banking and financial services (65%).
Furthermore, 46% of Jordanian companies planning to hire in the upcoming quarter expect to fill no more than five vacancies, while 27% plan to fill between six and ten positions.
Long-term employment expectations remain optimistic as well, with hospitality and entertainment leading at 79%, followed by business consulting, business administration, and management consulting (78%), and manufacturing (75%) as the most likely sectors to grow their workforce over the next year.
Sectors Most Attractive to Talent
The most appealing sectors for skilled professionals in Jordan are banking and financial services (46%), information technology, internet, and e-commerce (34%), and advertising, marketing, and public relations (29%).
Notably, banking and financial services stand out as the top choice for local talent (38%), recent graduates (46%), and female professionals (49%).
From another perspective, Zafar Shah, Research Director at a regional insights firm, remarked: "The future looks promising for job seekers across the Middle East and North Africa region, as the area gradually recovers from pandemic-related disruptions. Effective vaccines combined with employees returning to offices have positively influenced hiring trends. The first employment outlook report of the year, highlighting the required skills and job roles, has delivered encouraging results."
Data for the Middle East and North Africa Employment Outlook were collected online between December 8, 2021, and January 10, 2022, involving 1,481 participants from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, and other countries.
