No, right? Then how can you go to an interview without preparation? It is almost like you intentionally jump into the deep sea without a life jacket.
It is 2025, and you need to stop acting irresponsibly, especially when a professional interviewer’s guide is right in front of you so that you can learn how to face an interview in Dubai from the comfort of your home.
So, drop everything you are doing and focus all your attention on this blog. It holds every piece of hack that you ever need to excel at interviews and land a job in Dubai.
Professional Tips to Succeed in Dubai Interviews
Interviews are intimidating even in one’s own hometown, but they become super nerve-wracking when it is in Dubai. A place where hundreds of job-seeking candidates get rejected for multiple reasons, like poor interview performance, lack of relevant skills, and an inappropriate application.
However, the cover letter makers are not to be blamed. It is the inability of the candidate himself. Had he connected to a great mentor or read the pro tips shared by the Dubai interviewer, this would not have been the case. Nonetheless, it is still not too late to fix it.
Hear It from the Professional Dubai Interviewer Himself
Finding a job in the biggest metropolitan city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is not for the faint of heart. It is difficult and challenging, and it is not for those who are easily discouraged.
Moving on to the structure of the recruitment process, know that it involves several stages. It all begins with the initial CV screening, phone interviews, and HR screenings. If you have used the keywords from the job description, the Applicant Tracking System will shortlist you, and you will receive a call from HR.
Then, the process moves towards face-to-face interviews and potentially a second round with the hiring manager if they like you enough. They will ask you about three things: your qualifications, experiences and suitability for the role.
If you are able to impress them in their brief chat, they will call you for a second round, where you sit across the Head of Department. Finally, the last part is salary negotiation and the job offer letter. This is when you are officially hired or rejected. Now that you already know what the process is let’s move on to the tips from Dubai-based interviewers.
Effective Tips for ‘Before the Interview’ Phase
We already know that preparation is key, and without this key, you can never unlock the doors to better opportunities. So, pay attention and learn what you do to get hired, other than just counting on Professional CV makers.
First and foremost, as soon as you find a job ad interesting and aligning with your goals, start investigating it. You can visit the official website, go to their social media profiles and read reviews. You must also read about their mission, values, and recent news to make sure you know them in and out.
After that, go through the job description again and underline the important keywords and required skills for this role. You should try to picture yourself in that role, and if it seems doable, it is time that you start practising the common interview questions. For instance:
· How can you describe yourself in three adjectives?
· Why are you interested in this role?
· What makes you perfect for this position?
· What part of your previous role will support you in the new one?
Once you are done practising the standard HR, behavioural, situational and competency-based questions with a peer/mentor, make sure you have a few questions to ask too. This is the fastest and easiest hack for making an impression and showing your interest in the role.
Effective Tips for ‘During the Interview’ Phase
Congratulations! You have successfully entered into the second phase, where you get to sit across the hiring manager and talk one-on-one. This can be a little intimidating, but remember, if you are prepared and confident, no one can outsmart you.
Starting with the appropriate dress code for the interview, because Dubai is a Muslim country, you must wear something formal, modest enough, and comfortable. This will help you project a respectful, considerate and enthusiastic attitude.
Now, imagine you are about to enter the room, and regardless of the fast-beating heart, you must hold assured body language and steady eye contact. No one should be able to know if your legs are shaking.
A Few Moments Later…
Enter the room, shake hands, maybe say an Islamic salutation and then make yourself comfortable. Soon, the interviewer will proceed to ask you the introductory questions. Then, take a deep breath and start answering immediately. However, make sure that you take necessary pauses, speak clearly and show respect for local customs.
Besides this, if a senior manager is sitting in the room, make sure that you show extra respect towards them. You should remember that for all the questions you answer, you must follow the STAR method, which means first describing the ‘Situation’ you faced, and talking about the ‘Task’ you were assigned.
Then, describe the detailed action you took to address the situation and achieve the task. Lastly, explain the outcomes of your actions, including any positive and quantifiable results.
Effective Tips for ‘After the Interview’ Phase
The situation has quickly escalated, and the interview is in its final stages. As a job seeker, you must constantly pay attention to every word the employer is saying. Additionally, don’t just reply with your words; respond with your gestures.
Once the interview is over, you should politely thank them for their precious time and the opportunity to meet. However, if you can, it is better that you ask a question before thanking them. It leaves them with the impression that you are appreciative and interested in the position.
Fast forward to the next morning of the interview day. Almost 16-20 hours later, you need to send the recruiter a follow-up email. You can include your mild gratitude and continued interest in the role. Moreover, make sure you mention something from the interview so that he can recall you easily.
The Frequently Asked Questions of a Job Aspirant
Q. Is the Emirates interview difficult?
According to the sources, the Emirati interview process can be challenging, but the difficulty varies depending on the role you are applying for and the candidate’s preparation level.
Q. What is the hardest question in an employer-candidate conversation?
The hardest question, which often confuses job seekers, is: ‘Tell me about your greatest weaknesses.’ Moreover, the employer can put the candidate into a hypothetical difficult situation and ask for their reaction.
Q. What kind of questions do Emirati employers ask?
They are most likely to ask the standard HR questions. For example:
· Tell me about yourself in 5 sentences.
· What motivates you?
· Why do you want to work for us?
· Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Q. What is the process of getting a job in Dubai?
There are multiple stages of getting a job in Dubai. First, you need to search, then send an application and then face the different rounds of interviews. Once you are hired, you can secure a work visa too.
The Summary of Dubai-Based Interview Preparation
The blog above contains everything you need to know about interview preparation from a professional interviewer’s point of view. You will find here all the basic and advanced hacks to impress the recruiter.
All you have to do is practice them and train yourself to implement them during a stressful moment. An easy way is to have it all rehearsed with a friend or mentor. Once you are confident enough and you have a strong CV, there will be nothing standing between you and your dream role in an organization.