Indian Professional Shares Harsh Reality of Dubai Job Hunt After 500 Applications: ‘Some Offered a Quarter of My Previous Salary’

An Indian professional living in Dubai has shared the emotional and financial challenges of searching for a job in the UAE, revealing that he submitted nearly 500 job applications over four months but continued to face low salary offers, demanding work schedules, and limited opportunities.

Shriram Chackolangara, a 28-year-old from Kozhikode, Kerala, told HT.com that he began looking for a new role in April 2026 after leaving his previous employer. Although he had initially planned to leave Dubai if he failed to secure a suitable position, encouragement from his social media followers prompted him to extend his stay.

From Engineering Graduate to Creative Professional

Born and raised in Dubai, Shriram completed his Chemical Engineering degree at National Institute of Technology Calicut before working in Bengaluru for three years. He returned to the UAE in 2023, attracted by better earning potential and the opportunity to live with his family.

Despite his engineering background, he built his career in marketing, communications, branding, and content creation, working across banking, media, and education technology. His previous role was as an Internal Communications Specialist at RAKBANK, where he managed internal communication related to digital transformation, workplace culture, and employee engagement.

Nearly 500 Applications, Limited Success

Between April and July, Shriram applied for approximately 400–500 positions, primarily targeting roles in:

• Corporate communications
• Creative strategy
• Public relations
• Branding
• Internal communications

He focused on opportunities in sectors such as banking, healthcare, real estate, and education.

Although he received interview calls from several organisations, many job offers fell far below his previous compensation.

According to Shriram, some employers offered salaries amounting to just one-fourth of what he had earned previously, while others proposed performance-based compensation, where most of the income depended on incentives rather than a fixed salary.

Long Working Hours and Salary Concerns

Beyond compensation, Shriram highlighted the demanding work culture in several companies.

He said many positions required employees to work 9–10 hours a day, six days a week, making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. He also observed that some sales roles offered minimal fixed pay, expecting employees to generate most of their income through commissions and incentives.

He believes one of the biggest hurdles for professionals in Dubai is not only securing interviews with reputed employers but also finding positions that provide salaries aligned with the city's cost of living.

Visa Challenges and Financial Pressure

Following the end of his previous employment, Shriram's residency visa was cancelled, after which he shifted to a visit visa at his own expense. Having already renewed it twice, his current visa remains valid until the end of October.

The prolonged job search has also placed financial pressure on his family.

Shriram said his 61-year-old father has become the family's sole financial supporter during this period, while his savings have steadily declined. Leisure activities, travel, and dining out have been significantly reduced as he now carefully budgets every expense.

He added that the emotional burden of unemployment has been equally challenging, with conversations at home frequently revolving around job opportunities and future plans.

Social Media Offers a New Opportunity

Unexpectedly, unemployment has also given Shriram more time to pursue content creation, an area where he has begun gaining visibility.

His videos documenting the realities of job hunting and unemployment have attracted significant engagement on social media, with many viewers relating to his experiences.

While he hopes to eventually become a full-time paid content creator, he acknowledges that social media income is not yet sufficient to support his living expenses or fulfil UAE visa requirements.

Looking Beyond Dubai

If he is unable to secure a suitable position before his visa expires, Shriram plans to relocate to Bengaluru, Mumbai, or Hyderabad in search of opportunities in communications and creative strategy with established organisations.

At the same time, he remains optimistic about returning to Dubai in the future, describing the city as a major hub for professionals, entrepreneurs, and digital creators. He believes hiring activity could improve in the coming months as business conditions stabilise.

Shriram's experience reflects the growing challenges faced by many professionals navigating competitive job markets, where rising living costs, evolving employer expectations, and economic uncertainty continue to shape career decisions across global employment hubs.