Is ChatGPT ruining your chances of landing a job in Dubai?

ChatGPT is an incredible tool. I use it. Most people I know use it.

It helps us work faster, think clearer, and get things done in a lot less time. As a recruitment consultant, it helps me draft, research and respond more efficiently. As a business owner, it cuts my admin time in half and lets me locate information that is sometimes hard to find.

But there’s a side of AI that’s becoming a problem, especially when it comes to job applications. I receive hundreds of applications every week for roles here in Dubai. I don’t use an automated system to filter CVs. Every CV that comes through is reviewed by an actual human (me 👋) and recently something has changed.

I’m seeing waves of applications where the emails all sound the same. The structure is the same. The phrases are the same. It’s very obvious they’ve been AI-generated. Even when someone has added their own ideas first, the final result often reads like a polished but generic template.

To be honest, I rarely read those emails in full anymore and they definitely aren't the most important part of your application. Yes, always be professional and make sure it looks formal and appropriate, but for me...I go straight to the CV and other supporting documents. And this is where I'm seeing a bigger problem:

When the CV itself sounds like it was written by AI, that’s when it becomes a real disadvantage.

We all know AI is part of modern life. It would be unrealistic and hypocritical to say “don’t use it.” But there’s a big difference between using AI as a tool and letting AI replace your voice.

Recruitment is about people. My job is to match the right person to the right company, somewhere they’ll actually be happy and thrive. When I read a CV full of robotic phrasing and very recognisable AI writing patterns, it strips away the human behind it.

And sometimes, that CV is all I have.

Of course, I spend a lot of time on calls and meetings to understand candidates properly but not everyone makes it to that stage for one reason or another. If the first impression is a CV that feels impersonal and AI-generated, it’s much harder to feel confident putting that person forward.

I’m not saying don’t use ChatGPT for job applications. That would be silly in 2026.

Use it to:

- Check spelling and grammar

- Improve clarity

- Help structure your experience

But the stories, personality, and real examples of what you’ve done and what you bring...that needs to be you.

No one can explain your career, your achievements and your strengths better than you can. AI can polish your words but it can’t replace your voice. And in a competitive job market like Dubai, your voice is exactly what helps you stand out.