The Annual Job Search Preparation Day for senior students and alumni of American University of Sharjah (AUS) was held today, October 23, and featured a special talk delivered by prominent business personality Mishal Kanoo, Chairman of the Kanoo Group. The day-long event saw the participation of leading multinational corporate entities from a wide variety of industries as well as the organization of a number of workshops that helped to prepare students and alumni meet the requirements of a demanding job market.

Entitled “Interview on Significant Global Work Trends,” Kanoo’s talk focused on the concept of success in a changing global workforce. Speaking at a Q&A session about the dynamic work environment, he said:

“You hear a lot that the economy is challenging these days, but if we look next door to Dubai for example, we know that in the near future as we gear up towards Expo 2020, we are going to witness a boom in services and jobs. If you even look to Saudi Arabia, if one quarter of the Vision 2030 materializes, a significant number of jobs will become available. The region has the youth, the caliber and the talent, that does not even need to attract talents from outside. So not only will you find jobs but have a chance to find a pathway to a career that you can build.”

He added: “The UAE has a collective mindset of ‘I can build’ and ‘I want to create’ and this is why you find people coming from the Arab region and the Indian Subcontinent wanting to open businesses here.”

When asked about the skillset needed in today’s economy to enter the job market, Kanoo said: “It is indeed a catch 22 where to get hired you need experience, and to get experience you need to be hired first. However, you need to know and focus on the skills that make you different and will add value to the industry or company you join. Employers look for that skill or personality that will add to their business.”

Speaking on the occasion, Charles A. Diab, Executive Director for Advancement and Alumni Affairs (OAAA) at AUS, said:

"Today’s search for talent is highly competitive as it is led by a growing skills shortage, advancing technologies, generational shifts and evolving dynamics around the nature of work. Mr. Mishal Kanoo's insights on significant global work trends provided a valuable learning opportunity for AUS students and alumni from his perspective on the changing workforce and the new priorities facing talent and business leaders today.” 

The event also featured a series of workshops that aimed to better inform the students and alumni’s job search. These covered a number of topics, including CV writing, interview skills and role playing, effective networking, mock interviewing, among others,

"AUS Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs team also organized several workshops today that we trust will leave attendees with a better understanding of how to get ahead in their job search. I would like to thank the many outstanding employers who joined us to help prepare our students for their job search process, and understand the notable trends influencing the talent landscape around the region and the world," added Diab.

Senior students and alumni also had the opportunity to network and meet with various industry representatives and establish networks. Participating companies included Air Liquide, WSP, L’Oreal, Tecom, Careem, Synkers, Sanofi, General Electric, Chalhoub Group, and Henkel.

The successful day was organized by OAAA’s Career Services unit, in collaboration with human resources leaders from top employers operating in the region.