Recruitment is about transforming lives – and we take that seriously

2016 was a busy year of expansion and aspiration at Hanson Search International — 2017 will be even busier

Recruitment is a cyclical business which, like financial services or aviation, depends on the local and global economic variables and geopolitical (in)stability. In 2016, those variables created major headaches for businesses and caused governments and CEOs to seriously consider every new hire and new investment.

Due to the record low oil prices, this uncertainty was especially palpable in the Middle East. Reading some financial projections over the past year and heading into 2017, one would think the world a completely grim place, with improvements slow to come. However, I feel that the best barometers of the climate we operate in are our clients and their business decisions.

For Hanson Search globally, 2016 was a year of expansion and aspiration. We moved to our Dubai HQ and hired several seasoned strategic communications and executive search experts to run our client services and recruit the best talent. Driven by demand, we set our footprint into the vibrant market of the United States. And for the icing on the cake, our firm was awarded Best International Recruitment Agency and Best Candidate Experience at the Marketing and Digital Recruitment Awards in London. It was precisely that candidate experience that makes all the difference in the world.

Research says that the stress levels when changing jobs are equal to those when facing a family death. A professional and result-focused approach from a recruiter is paramount for building trust and supporting candidates through this complex transition. Answering every email, every call and being always in the know, transparent and informed. Our job is about changing people’s lives and we take that premise seriously. These exact traits are the reason our clients trust us across the board.

One of our proudest moments last year was our penetration of the Saudi market. This has been on our wish list for a while and we closed last year with over 20 senior placements in KSA.

With EXPO 2020 and further economic diversification on the horizon in the UAE, I predict a busy year ahead. We’ll be moving to a new, larger office here in Dubai and making further senior hires. We will see the growth of digital roles in the region expand even more, and our international network will continue to grow in continental Europe, Asia and the United States. There’s a lot to look forward to in the year ahead!

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How can we help?

If you are looking for the best talent in your industry, please don’t hesitate to contact me via LinkedIn or on feliceh@hansonsearch.com for a confidential discussion.