For many applicants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it has become common practice to apply for dozens or even hundreds of vacancies; however, recruiters note that simply increasing the number of applications no longer guarantees an interview invitation.
Since employers receive a huge volume of applications for a single open position and increasingly use artificial intelligence tools for preliminary screening, candidates who send the same resume to all vacancies face difficulties standing out among competitors.
Mahesh Shahdadpuri, Chairman of TASC Outsourcing group, told Khaleej Times that the main problem today is the mismatch between the candidate's profile and what employers are actually looking for. He added that applicants sending identical resumes to numerous vacancies struggle because they compete under conditions of growing talent market competition without tailoring their applications to each specific opportunity.
These comments came against the backdrop of the recent Naukrigulf Hiring Index, which showed a 23 percent decline in hiring across the UAE in April and May compared to the same period last year. The sharpest drop was recorded in the low-paid and entry-level segments amid regional geopolitical uncertainty.
Nevertheless, Avinav Nigam, founder and CEO of TERN Group, believes that the slowdown was due to temporary factors rather than a loss of confidence in the UAE economy. Nigam noted that the region experienced a level of geopolitical instability from February to May for which there was no ready action plan. He emphasized that when uncertainty strikes, any sensible enterprise suspends long-term commitments, and hiring is a long-term commitment.
He also reported that many companies postponed recruitment instead of completely canceling it. Recruiters point out that entry-level specialists are experiencing the greatest difficulties, as companies defer hiring junior staff while continuing to recruit for critical management positions.
According to the Naukrigulf report, vacancies with salaries up to 10,000 dirhams per month showed the sharpest decline, falling by 26 percent year-on-year in April and May. Positions with pay between 11,000 and 20,000 dirhams saw a 22 percent decrease, while roles with salaries between 41,000 and 80,000 dirhams only decreased by 11 percent.
Nigam agreed with the data, noting that the entry level was hit the hardest. He explained that when a company is in a state of uncertainty, it protects what it cannot afford to lose. Therefore, hiring senior specialists, managers, and revenue generators continues, while entry-level hiring is often seen as something that can be postponed.
Artificial intelligence has become a popular tool among applicants, simplifying the application process, but recruiters argue that the rise of one-click applications has sharply intensified competition for every vacancy. Shahdadpuri noted that it is now not uncommon for a single vacancy to attract several hundred applications within a few days, especially for professional and managerial roles.
Nigam, founder of TERN Group, stated that the ease of online application created a problem of volume, not quality. He commented that when applying takes 10 seconds, everyone applies to every offer. A role that previously received 200 applications now receives 2000, and good candidates end up buried by the system, not due to their incompetence.
Although AI plays a key role in recruitment, he also noted that many screening systems still prioritize keywords over actual abilities. According to him, a candidate who knows how to optimize their profile for the algorithm will consistently outperform one who objectively performs better at the job but does not know how to play by these rules.
Despite the slowdown, Shahdadpuri reported that some sectors continue to hire employees, especially those aligned with the long-term economic priorities of the UAE. Technology, artificial intelligence, financial services, healthcare, renewable energy, logistics, and advanced manufacturing continue to create demand for skilled professionals, alongside roles in consulting, compliance, cybersecurity, and data analysis.
He advised applicants who have been applying unsuccessfully for months to adopt a more targeted approach. It is necessary to tailor each application to the specific role, highlighting relevant experience and measurable achievements, and to continue developing skills such as AI, digital literacy, data analysis, and communication. Furthermore, the recruiter stressed that networking remains one of the most effective ways to find opportunities, especially in a market like the UAE, where personal connections are important.