Want a job in the UAE? First pack a heavy CV

Veteran managers with experience in crisis management, who speak Arabic or have ties to the region remain in demand despite the economic downturn, experts say.

And the few companies that do need staff have little use for the kind of inexperienced expatriate professionals who were able to land jobs before.

“What is happening is we’re suddenly getting people with a bit of grey hair, people who have been through a business cycle, coming out to the Middle East,” said Anthony Simpson, managing partner of the Middle East office of Ray & Berndtson in Dubai. “We’re looking [to recruit] people to come to this part of the world who can actually add value to businesses and make things happen ... you’re seeing veterans but also better-quality expatriates coming.”