Ramadan Q&A

Over the past week, I’ve had multiple messages asking what Ramadan means for recruitment in the UAE.

Here’s a quick piece on what I’ve seen during my time in the Middle East and how you can adjust your strategy to best move forward during this period.

There’s also our live roles for the week below.

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here’s how I can help.

We run a weekly Premium newsletter where we perform deep dives into your most asked questions which you can access below.

They’re designed to help you navigate the worlds most competitive job market with tangible action plans you can implement instantly.

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On Ramadan

Ramadan in the UAE doesn't slow business down.

At least not in the way most people think.

Here’s the facts:

We’ve spent years recruiting across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As to how Ramadan actually impacts business operations: It depends entirely on the type of firm you're working with.

Multinational corporations with global operations?

• Business continues at near-normal pace

• Teams adjust schedules but maintain output

• International clients still get serviced

• Deadlines don't shift

Local firms and government entities?

• Shortened working hours are more pronounced

• Decision-making can slow during daylight hours

• Meetings often shift to early morning or post-iftar

Don't assume Ramadan means everything stops.

I've closed major deals during Ramadan. I've seen recruitment processes move forward without delay. The professionals I worked with were incredibly dedicated.

What matters is understanding who you're dealing with and adjusting your expectations accordingly.

But don't put your entire UAE strategy on pause either.

Ramadan 2026 runs until March 18-19. If you're doing business in the region, adapt your approach to the firm type, not just the calendar.

Businesses still have needs and they’ll still need to hire - just be aware of what they might be going through.

P.S. Ramadan Mubarak to all those partaking! 🌙

Live Roles - MENA

For full JDs and more information, please direct CVs to [email protected] with the preferred role in the Subject Line.

MENA

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