Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Every résumé tells a story — but behind every story is a human being navigating uncertainty and hope. Some are carrying months of rejections. Some are rebuilding after life’s setbacks. Some are stepping into the unknown, chasing a dream. Some have been unemployed for months; others are switching careers after years of dedication, and many are silently juggling personal struggles while putting on their “best self” for interviews. In boardrooms and hiring panels, it’s easy to focus on metrics, skills, and experience. But what we often overlook is the emotional weight carried by those searching for work. Empathy in recruitment is not a soft skill, it’s a leadership responsibility. It means responding to applications, even with a simple “no,” so they are not left in silence. Valuing potential and transferable skills over “perfect” résumés. Offering constructive feedback. Understandingthat confidence can dip after repeated rejections, so a little kindness can go a long way. A kind word. A timely reply. A little patience. These cost nothing, but to jobseekers out there, they mean everything. The job market is more than a transaction. It is a human connection point. Let’s hire with skills, yes — but also with heart. Because a job can change a career, but empathy can change a life. Dunston Pereira is the CEO of the Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi. From the author: At the Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi, we are determined to support businesses and entrepreneurs who want to establish themselves in Dubai and the UAE with a single window platform for multiple activities. ICA/Expat Media
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