How to Source and Attract IT Industry Talent in KSA and UAE

Learn how to source and attract top tech talent in KSA and UAE.

October 23, 2025
0 min read time
Reviewed by:
Faye Ameen
Update:
October 23, 2025
0 min read time
Nawal Malik
Copywriter
Copywriter
Nawal Malik
Key take aways

The Middle East is experiencing rapid digital transformation and is emerging as a major digital-economy hub. With companies investing heavily in new technologies, the demand for tech talent is soaring, yet only 33% of technology jobs worldwide are filled by workers with the skills required, underscoring the urgent skills gap in the region

This blog post will discuss seven unique and unconventional methods for sourcing and attracting IT talent in KSA and UAE to help you stand out in the competitive tech industry landscape.

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Unique Ways to Source and Attract Tech Industry Talent

1. Craft Compelling Job Descriptions

Crafting detailed and appealing job descriptions is crucial for attracting top tech talent. Clear, well-structured descriptions that highlight company culture, growth opportunities, and innovative projects can instantly grab a candidate’s attention.

Here’s how you can make your job descriptions more effective:

  • Choose a clear, relevant job title.
  • Explain why the role is a unique opportunity.
  • Highlight innovative tools and technologies used by your company.
  • Clearly define responsibilities and expectations.
  • Mention perks, benefits, and career growth opportunities.
  • Include a transparent salary range.
Try Qureos’ Free Job Description generator and effortlessly create professional, detailed job postings.

2. Leverage Hackathons and Tech Challenges

Hosting hackathons and coding challenges provides an engaging way to connect with skilled developers. These events allow participants to showcase creativity and technical expertise while helping companies identify promising talent.

For instance, Rise Innovation Lab by Barclays organizes hackathons worldwide to attract top professionals. You can organize similar challenges around real-world company problems and evaluate participants’ ability to find innovative solutions, then assess if they fit your company culture.

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3. Utilize Talent Scouting through Online Gaming Communities

Gamification can make talent sourcing more engaging and effective. By connecting with online gaming communities, companies can find tech professionals with strong problem-solving, teamwork, and technical skills.

Platforms like Discord and Twitch provide access to a diverse pool of tech individuals passionate about gaming and technology.

Read: Unique ways to source and attract finance industry talent in KSA and UAE

4. Embrace Skills-First Approach

Tech leaders worldwide are rethinking traditional hiring practices by prioritizing skills over specific degrees. According to LinkedIn data, focusing on skills can significantly increase the talent pool by up to 10 times!

This shift in mindset allows companies to tap into a broader and more diverse talent pool, bringing in individuals with non-traditional backgrounds who possess valuable skills but may lack formal education in the field. 

5. Create a Diverse Company Culture with Reverse Mentoring

Technology is indeed evolving rapidly, and young talent brings in fresh perspectives and insights, but there are things that only experience can teach you. Reverse mentoring programs in a company help bridge the gap between senior executives and young recruits. 

Pairing junior tech employees with senior executives facilitates knowledge exchange and fosters innovation within the organization. It also demonstrates the company’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and continuous learning, making them more appealing to top tech talent in KSA and UAE.

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6. Offer Flexible Work Arrangements

According to statistics, 72% of workers consider work-life balance an important factor when choosing a job. Offering flexible work options, such as remote work, flexible schedules, and compressed workweeks, can appeal to IT professionals seeking a healthy work-life balance. It also enhances job satisfaction and productivity among tech employees. Not only that, it can also help you expand the talent pool and include individuals not geographically available for traditional office-based roles.

7. Optimize Hiring through AI-Driven Technology

Recruitment technology has revolutionized hiring practices for HR professionals and employers, and the IT industry is no exception. Companies can streamline their talent acquisition process using AI-driven recruitment platforms and gain access to a global pool of skilled professionals.

These platforms leverage advanced algorithms and data analytics and enable employers to automate candidate sourcing, screening, and matching, saving time and resources while ensuring quality hires.

Attracting top tech talent in KSA and UAE requires creativity and a willingness to embrace unconventional strategies. By leveraging these unique approaches, companies can differentiate themselves in the competitive tech industry and attract the best talent.

Let Iris by Qureos be your partner in discovering and sourcing the right tech professionals for your company from across the globe.

Explore the features of IRIS by Qureos for more details.

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