Does hiring slowdown in the UAE during summer?

Dubai: It is officially summer in the UAE and with schools starting their break soon that means many people will jet off for a long vacation. However, while heat rises, some jobseekers wonder if hiring cools off too.

Despite common assumptions, hiring activity does not stop during the summer in the UAE but jobseekers should be prepared for slower timelines.

Recruitment experts say the reality is more nuanced. While summer holidays can delay interview timelines, hiring activity itself often continues and in some cases, even increases.

“There is a slowdown in hiring during the summer month, however, this does not necessarily result in a slowdown in interviews,” explained Nikhil Nanda, director of Innovations Group, workforce solutions provider with over two decades of regional experience.

According to Nanda, July and August are typically quieter months as employers take longer to make hiring decisions. “It’s not that roles aren’t open, companies know they have time before requirements become urgent, so they move more cautiously,” he said.

For jobseekers wondering whether they should pause their search until September, Nanda advises against it.

“Employers are often open to meeting more candidates during this time in preparation for the final two quarters of the year. While responses might be slower after interviews, regular follow-ups can keep your profile top-of-mind,” he said.

Not all recruiters agree that summer leads to a slowdown. In fact, some say it's one of the busiest times of the year.

“There’s a perception that when decision-makers are away, hiring stops. But from our perspective, it’s quite the opposite,” said Nicki Wilson, executive director at Genie Recruitment. “We’ve seen a 30 per cent increase in hiring decisions compared to Q1.”

Wilson acknowledged that some companies experience minor delays if key people are travelling, but she said this is not reflective of the overall market.

“New roles are coming in daily, activity levels are high, and we’re forecasting a busy summer,” she said.

She cautioned jobseekers against waiting until September, warning that the delay could cost them opportunities.

“Some candidates jeopardise job offers by requesting a September start date, employers want to hire now. Waiting can mean missing out or facing more competition when others return to the market.”

Wilson noted that while some hiring processes may take longer due to remote work or extended travel, the hiring itself does not stop.

“Recruitment is still happening, but final approvals might take longer because people are abroad or less available,” she added.

With more companies embracing remote and hybrid models, summer travel has become easier for professionals, including decision-makers. This flexibility, however, can impact hiring timelines.

“Offer letters may take a bit longer to come through, simply because people are working from different time zones or on annual leave,” Wilson said. “But delays don’t mean inactivity. For jobseekers who stay active while others pause, this can be an advantage.”

Paula Jacobson, a people and impact leader, who works at a fast-growing startup, said summer hiring is not only active, it is accelerating.

“Our hiring rate has increased by 300 per cent. There’s no reason to slow down,” she said. “In every company I’ve worked for, I’ve seen new roles pop up on LinkedIn, in WhatsApp groups, through referrals, there’s constant movement.”

Jacobson said annual leave can cause occasional delays, but it is the responsibility of internal HR teams to plan ahead.

“In startups and scale-ups, hiring is always on an upward trajectory. It does not slow down. But I do know others, particularly in larger companies have experienced pushbacks on onboarding due to senior staff being on leave,” she added.

While hiring stays strong in many sectors, others do follow more seasonal patterns.

“Industries like hospitality, especially hotels and restaurants, tend to slow down in summer and pick up again in August or September,” Jacobson noted. “It really depends on the industry and how well internal teams are prepared for the holiday period.”

Although the pace may slow, recruitment decisions continue behind the scenes. Recruiters agree that while summer travel can delay hiring processes, it doesn’t bring them to a halt. Jobseekers who stay engaged during this period often face less competition and gain greater visibility.