Dubai: If you are applying for jobs in the UAE and hearing nothing back, you are not alone.
A staggering 84% of jobseekers in the Middle East feel their applications are being overlooked, according to a recent survey by global recruitment firm Robert Walters. And as more professionals turn to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to speed up the job hunt, recruiters say it is only making things worse.
The AI backlash
The survey reveals that more than 59% of candidates now use AI tools to generate CVs and cover letters, with 16% using them regularly. While this can help speed up applications, 67% of hiring managers say they can tell when a CV is AI-generated, often due to generic language and overly polished formatting. And for 41% of recruiters, spotting AI use creates a negative impression of the applicant.
Jason Grundy, Managing Director at Robert Walters Middle East, warned that while AI might seem like a shortcut, it often backfires. “Hiring managers value authenticity and want a genuine reflection of a candidate’s experience,” he added.
Why you are not hearing back
With 39% of jobseekers submitting 20+ applications a week, recruiters are facing an application overload. As a result, 55% of hiring managers admit that the flood of CVs has slowed hiring, with many candidates not even meeting the basic criteria.
Worse still, qualified applicants are being missed. Over a third of hiring managers manually sort through CVs using applicant tracking systems (ATS), but the volume means standout candidates can easily be overlooked.
What turns employers off
- 44% of hiring managers reject applications due to lack of relevant experience.
- 62% of candidates say they won’t bother with long or complex application processes.
- AI-generated CVs, copy-paste cover letters, and non-tailored applications are frequently tossed aside.
Ghosting
Interestingly, it is not just companies going silent, candidate ghosting is on the rise too. As jobseekers apply en masse, many drop out of the process halfway through, especially when interviews drag or feedback is delayed.
Grundy advises companies to keep communication open, move quickly, and showcase company culture and career growth early in the process. But jobseekers should also take note: a rushed, untargeted application may get you in the door, but it won’t get you hired.
Top tips to land a job
1. Ditch the one-click mentality
Tailor your CV and cover letter for each job. Generic, AI-generated applications are easy to spot, and often discarded.
2. Focus on git
Only apply for roles that genuinely match your skills. Highlight specific experience that aligns with the job description.
3. Keep it teal
Let your personality and career goals shine through. Authenticity matters more than perfection.
4. Prepare to stay engaged
If you get called for an interview, follow through. Ghosting a recruiter now could hurt your chances later.
5. Be ready for these tnterview questions
To gauge your commitment, employers may ask:
- Why are you leaving your current role?
- What would make you regret joining us?
- What excites you about this specific opportunity?
These are not just screening tools, they are chances for you to show you are serious, motivated, and aligned with the company’s values.
Source – https://gulfnews.com/uae/how-to-get-a-job-in-the-uae-avoid-the-application-black-hole-1.500148791