Hi Latte,
I have been looking for work also in the last few months and I wanted to offer you some advice based on what I have learnt and advice from people I have met....
1. Jobs on Linked In are not always real in that some companies use them as a means to get personal information and then put you on their email list so you start to get unsolicited mail.
Also even when jobs are really available the HR Team may not even look at applicants as they have been told to advertise through LI, but if they can't fill the post then they can use a recruitment company which they would much prefer to do so they just go through the motions of advertising it.
It's really frustrating and I really sympathise with you, but you can use LI in the following ways to help:-
- Network, network, network....
Start connecting with people through LI who are in roles you would like. If you feel bold enough, send a couple an In mail and ask if they would like to meet for a coffee to share their experience of working in HR in Dubai.
Look for companies you would like to work for and contact the HR team there - again they may not have an immediate vacancy but there is more chances of them remembering you later...
Many companies have vacancies that they don't advertise so it pays to go direct as one of the others has suggested.
- Join HR groups on LI so you can see who are the key people and follow them or connect with them
- Post some interesting articles yourself so people will start noticing you (make sure your profile is up to date of course ;)
LI is a great tool but not necessarily for applying for jobs....
2. Make sure you attend as many HR events as possible like the breakfast that EW is promoting...
http://www.expatwoman.com/hrbreakfast.aspx
And there is a huge 3 day HR Summit starting tomorrow at the Convention Centre
http://hrsummitexpo.com/
Go to this each of the 3 days if you are available - not only does it have fantastic seminars where you can learn so much, but it is absolutely the best place to meet people and network both in terms of the exhibitors and the people visiting. You never know who you may meet so be open to chatting with anyone.
Hope this helps - it's really all about who you know here, and you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone to be forward and connect/talk to people.
Good luck with it all and hope you find something soon....
