DOHA: Construction is the most preferred industry to work for Qatar residents while oil, gas and petrochemicals is the most preferred for residents of Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region, said the Bayt.com Career Aspirations in the Middle East and North Africa survey.
The study was conducted by Bayt.com and YouGov, a research and consulting organisation.
Data was collected online from last December 3 to 10, with 8,963 respondents from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.
The survey showed that around seven in 10 respondents in Mena have set professional goals, with 26 percent having long-term ambitions to achieve in the next five years. The most common goals are to get a higher salary (54 percent), a new job (53 percent), and learn new skills (52 percent).
In Qatar, 71 percent of respondents have set professional goals they want to achieve, the top three of which echo those of the region.
In terms of personal goals for 2015, 73 percent of Qatar respondents want to save more money, 37 percent want to buy property, and 38 percent want to spend more time with family. Eight in 10 (83 percent) Qatar respondents feel positive about 2015.
Financial issues are the top worry for 51 percent of Mena respondents and 53 percent of Qatar respondents.
In Qatar, this is followed by career path uncertainty (38 percent) and work-life balance (31 percent). The ideal retirement age for Qatar respondents is considered after 60 (37 percent), in line with the thinking of 43 percent of Mena respondents.
Four in 10 (42 percent) respondents across Mena would rather be an employee than an entrepreneur — though 39 percent would like to have their own businesses.
In Qatar, 52 percent of respondents would prefer to be an employee compared to 30 percent who would rather have their own businesses.
The preferred industry to work in, according to Qatar respondents, is construction. The top three factors most important to Qatar respondents when selecting their jobs are salary and benefits (84 percent), opportunities for career growth (64 percent) and job security (27 percent).
The Peninsula
