Many Job Seekers Fail in Dubai Interviews

Why Many Job Seekers Fail in Dubai Interviews & How to Avoid It

If you have made it to the Dubai job interview after several resume rejections, you can’t risk giving wrong answers in the interview now. Many job seekers fail in Dubai interviews, not because they lack skills or experience. They have everything, but they just gave many wrong answers and created a bad impression. Why does this happen, and how can you avoid it? Read in this post.

Find out about the reasons why job seekers fail in Dubai interviews and how you can avoid it. 

Reasons Why Job Seekers Fail in Dubai Job Interviews 

Go through the reasons for Dubai job interview rejections given below and make sure you don’t make these mistakes. 

1. Lack of Research About the Company

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is giving a job interview in Dubai without knowing much about the company. Dubai recruiters expect you to:

• Know the company’s products, services, or projects
• Know about your role and responsibilities
• Be aware of its culture and values

Tip: Spend at least 30 to 60 minutes researching the company before your Dubai job interview. Check their website, LinkedIn page, and any recent news about them. Even a small comment about a recent project can make you stand out from others.

2. Generic Answers

Another reason behind failing in a Dubai job interview is giving generic answers. Dubai recruiters are tired of hearing generic responses like:

• “I’m a hard worker.”
• “I want to grow in my career.”
• “I am the best in my job.”

These answers don’t show your real skills or achievements. Dubai recruiters want to know how you have applied your skills in real situations and what results you achieved.

Why generic answers fail:

• They don’t differentiate you from other candidates.
• They make it seem like you didn’t prepare for the job interview at all.
• They don’t show your problem-solving or practical skills.

They want good answers that show your skills in action.

Tip: Use the STAR method- Situation, Task, Action, Result- to answer questions. For example:

Instead of saying “I am good at teamwork,” say, “In my last project, I coordinated a team of 5 to complete a client report a week ahead of schedule, which improved client satisfaction by 20%.”

Also Read: How to Prepare For Your First Job Interview in Dubai

3. Ignoring Cultural Differences

Dubai companies have a multicultural work environment. Your recruiter might be from Dubai, Saudi Arabia, the USA, or any other place. Different parts of the world have different definitions of professionalism. Some recruiters are punctual about time, while others are punctual about communication and good ethics. 

Therefore, whether you are giving an online interview or an offline Dubai job interview, be mindful of these things:

• Speaking too casually or informally
• Being late or unprepared
• Forgetting basic greetings or polite manners
• Dressing unprofessionally
  

Tip: Dress professionally, greet politely, and maintain formal but friendly communication. Research basic Dubai job interview etiquette and follow it. 

Also Read: Industries in Dubai That Hire Foreigners the Most

4. Poor Communication Skills

Even if you have excellent technical skills, years of work experience, and good degrees, you can still fail in an interview if you dont communicate properly. In Dubai interviews, recruiters not only assess your skills but also how you can communicate with others. In Dubai, you will be working with colleagues from different parts of the world, so the recruiter needs a candidate who can speak well. 

• Speak politely and clearly.
• Don’t rush to give answers. 
• Don’t use too much “um,” “like,” or “you know” in your answers. 
• Practice your answers beforehand. 

Tip: Practice explaining your experience clearly. Record yourself answering common Dubai job interview questions and improve areas where you sound unsure or rushed.

5. Not Asking Questions

Many candidates make the mistake of not asking any questions at the end. It can make you seem uninterested or unprepared. At the end of all the Dubai job interviews, recruiters will ask you, ‘Do you have any questions for us. If you say no, you will look uninterested.

Tip: Always have 2 to 3 questions ready for such situations, like:

• “What does success look like for this role in the first 6 months?”
• “Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?”
• “What are the growth opportunities in this position?”

Also Read: How to Prepare for an Online Dubai Job Interview

6. Focusing Too Much on Salary Early

Unless and until the recruiter brings up the salary topic, don’t talk about your salary expectations. Dubai recruiters don’t like it when candidates lead with salary expectations in the first round. It can make it look like money is your only motivation.

Once you have impressed the recruiter in the job interview, you can negotiate a higher salary knowing that the recruiter likes you. 

Tip: Wait until the employer brings up compensation. Focus on showcasing your skills, experience, and fit for the role first.

7. Overconfidence or Arrogance

Some candidates appear overly confident or arrogant during job interviews in Dubai, thinking it will impress recruiters. However, Dubai recruiters prefer candidates who are professional, humble, and have a collaborative attitude. Overconfidence can make you seem difficult to work with.

Tip: During a job interview in Dubai, be confident but respectful. Share achievements without exaggeration, so that it doesnt sound fake. 

Also Read: How to Find a Job in Dubai Without UAE Work Experience

8. Lack of Knowledge About Industry Trends

Dubai recruiters expect candidates to be aware of trends and developments in their industry. You will be asked various questions about your industry, and those questions might be specific to the Dubai market. If you couldn’t answer an industry-related question, you may be rejected for the job. 

For example, if you are applying for an HR job in Dubai, you might be asked about UAE labor laws. 

Tip: Research recent industry news, latest skills, or market trends. Mention relevant updates in your answers to show that you are knowledgeable and well-prepared for the Dubai job market.

Also Read: How Long Does it Take to Find a Job in Dubai?

We hope that you find this post helpful and informative. If you need more Dubai job interview tips, stay tuned at LearnwithFaiz. You can check out our Dubai job interview preparation course and find out about the questions asked and prepare answers beforehand.