SnapJob: Saudi women launch groundbreaking job-search app

A group of Saudi women have launched a new mobile app for young job seekers in Saudi Arabia, according to local media reports.

Developed by six graduates from Jeddah, SnapJob allows young men and women with qualifications and skills to find the right jobs in both the private and public sectors.

"The idea of the application came about from our noticing that Snapchat is used by all sectors of society," Ala al-Qawaei, one of the founders, told Arab News.

"From this we decided to make an application to help those looking for work."

Qawaei added that the mobile app took the team six months to complete.

"Many young men and women have the energy and experience, but are not in appropriate jobs," she explained.

"Because of this, we are presenting the application to solve the unemployment problem and help people find jobs."

The app features daily job alerts and allows employers to browse through users' CVs in various fields and specialties, with the option of direct contact with potential employees.

"The easy-to-use application aims to save time for those looking for jobs," team member Maha al-Mansour said, adding that the app allows users to make or view 30-second audio or video clips.

Saudi women are now taking on a greater role in public life, with jobs mostly in the education sector.

Currently, 400,000 women are working in Saudi Arabia, compared with less than 55,000 before 2009, according to the labour ministry.

A 2015 study conducted by the Islamic University in Madina revealed the number of unwed women in Saudi Arabia has risen to four million, a massive jump from the 1.5 single Saudi ladies over the age of 30 just five years ago.

Though partly attributed to the high cost of dowries, wedding expenses and housing, the growing number of Saudi women who have chosen to remain single through their twenties and into their thirties is believed to be also linked to their pursuit of other ambitions, such as education and employment.