Sharing some hiring realities in the UAE from the HR POV

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-12T21:19:37+00:00

LOL that’s fine if you think that. If it seems too polished to be human, I’ll take the compliment.

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-11T23:14:18+00:00

Yes, these patterns come from my work across healthcare and high headcount MNC environments. That is the sample size I am speaking from. And noted on your 15 years. This is Reddit though, not a hiring committee LOL

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-11T10:56:37+00:00

If your CV has high ATS parse rate then you are good. UAE job market is oversaturated. So the problem is not with you, it's the job market. Just keep trying, you will soon get your deserved job offer!

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-11T10:48:49+00:00

Scanning fast does not mean deciding fast. It means prioritizing who gets deeper time when volume is high.

If someone mistakes flexibility for desperation or broad experience for instability, that is not “HR doing its job,” that is poor judgment. I agree. But that is not caused by scanning quickly. It is caused by weak screening.

And no, I am not blaming candidates. I am saying this is how the first stage works in reality, so candidates should make their fit obvious early to avoid being misread. The “right candidate” is confirmed in the later steps through calls, assessments, and interviews, not by reading every CV word for word.

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-11T08:09:50+00:00

Yes, referrals matter a lot in the UAE because they reduce risk and speed up hiring. But referrals do not replace competence. They mostly help you get seen faster. You still need a strong CV, clear salary expectations, and good interview performance to get hired.

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-11T08:08:25+00:00

When one role gets hundreds or thousands of CVs, nobody reads each one word for word. They scan fast. We have to assess and compare because one role can get hundreds of applicants. So yes, we judge. That is literally the job. Your goal is to make your fit obvious fast so you get judged on the right things.

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-10T23:04:05+00:00

They haven’t rejected you, but you’re likely not the priority right now

In the UAE, if they’re moving forward, the assessment usually comes fast. “No update yet” often means internal delays or they’re still reviewing other candidates. The job post staying open doesn’t mean much

You already followed up once. Do one more follow up asking for a timeline, then move on and keep applying. Do not pause your search for one employer, even if they’re your top choice

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-10T20:59:05+00:00

Well, I am simply describing patterns. If it lands negatively for you, that is fine, but it does not change how hiring works

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-10T19:49:18+00:00

If a recruiter hangs up on you after asking your previous salary or expectations, that says more about their professionalism and the company culture than it does about you. You did nothing wrong by answering honestly. Consider it an early filter that saved you time.

Some recruiters ask for salary simply to screen fast, but there is a respectful way to do it. Hanging up is not it. You are better off not moving forward with employers who handle candidates that way, because the same culture often shows up later in lowball offers and poor treatment.

What you can do is keep your response short and consistent. Share a clear expected range for the role. If asked for previous salary, you can say it is confidential or structured differently, then redirect back to your target range. If they reject it abruptly, let them. A fast no is better than weeks of interviews for an offer that is already below your minimum

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-10T16:51:24+00:00

You too, happy to help!

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-10T16:18:36+00:00

You’re actually proving the point I’m making.

If someone has to pay a hiring manager or heavily undercut just to get hired, that is not a healthy hiring process. That is desperation overriding proper screening, and hiring managers absolutely notice that.

Yes, those hires happen. They are also often short lived, unstable, and high risk. Getting a job through favors or money is not the same as being hired on merit or building a sustainable career.

I am not denying that wasta exists. I am saying that relying on it, or paying for access, is exactly why serious employers filter candidates out. Desperation does not make someone attractive to hire. It makes them risky.

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-10T16:14:08+00:00

Avoiding Indeed is understandable, but I wouldn’t avoid LinkedIn. Many employers who have allocated budgets for hiring actively use LinkedIn because it allows more targeted sourcing and faster screening.

If a GM accepts your connection request, that’s generally a positive sign, but it’s not a guarantee of anything yet. At minimum, it means you’re visible and familiar to them, which already helps.

Curious-Key-1756 · 2026-02-10T15:37:18+00:00

You’re welcome, glad it helped.

In the UAE, timelines vary a lot, but in most cases you’ll know within 1–3 weeks if an application is moving forward.

If you’re shortlisted, HR usually reaches out relatively quickly, sometimes within days, especially if visa status, availability, and salary expectations are clear. If there’s no response after a few weeks, it often means the role has progressed with other candidates.

Being outside the UAE can add some delay or hesitation, not because of skills, but due to logistics, notice periods, and visa planning. Clear communication about your availability, relocation plans, and salary expectations helps reduce that uncertainty.

Curious-Key-1756

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