A professional community of this size had never existed prior to the inception of LinkedIn - and the figures released show that the UAE - noted for its diversity, innovation and creativity is the most connected country in the world, so perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that the UAE would be leading the rest of the world. In addition to this, it was disclosed that UAE users have a reported average of 211 connections per-individual.
UAE residents are not only well connected but also recognize the potential of what a highly connected global community of professionals can provide for them. LinkedIn profiles are much more than just online resumes; they are a crucial online personal branding statement. When someone searches for an individual online, their LinkedIn profile is usually at the top of the search results and it is vital to make a powerful first impression.
The professional networking service understands perfectly the potential of what a highly connected global community of professionals can achieve for every individual person of the global workforce. Head of LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Emerging Markets, Middle East, Ali Matar has encouraged those currently without an account to join LinkedIn now and benefit from finding professional connections and explore the potential job opportunities that may arise by being active on the networking service.
He said, "We encourage all members to connect with relevant professionals to increase their industry networks. It is great to see the UAE ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to recognizing the value of a strong online professional network. A large majority of the UAE's workforce has come from abroad - LinkedIn makes it easy for professionals seeking to connect with each other around the world, and to keep up to date with relevant companies and industry topics, wherever the market. We are excited to have reached a milestone of 500 million globally, and look forward to seeing how our breadth of talented members will help us to achieve our goal of creating an economic opportunity for every member in the workforce."
With over 3 million members in the UAE, and over 22 million members in the MENA region, LinkedIn is growing rapidly. LinkedIn opened their first office in the MENA region in 2012 in Dubai which serves as a regional headquarters to members and customers.