Recruiting

Hi there,

Indeed, recruiting is a low point at the moment. 

Not only in Saudi Arabia, but everywhere. 

And on top of that, it's also off-cycle at the moment. 

My recommendation is the following:

• Make a long list of the firms you're interested in
• Research each of them in turn
• If you don't find clear opportunities at some of them, try to get in touch with the recruiter
• Have your CV prepared and discuss with the recruiter whether they have any opportunities that would be relevant for your profile
• You're likely to emerge with a short list from here.
• Additionally, see if you could apply outside of your region as well

Re networking and referrals, I've built two guides on this that unpack the topic in more detail. Sharing them here:

Expert Guide: How To Handle Networking Calls and Get Referrals

Expert Guide: How To Get Referrals Via LinkedIn?

If you need help, send me a note.

Best,
Cristian

Your impression is correct — recruiting in KSA has slowed down a bit compared to the crazy pace of the last few years.

Firms like Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company are still hiring, but:

• more selectively
• more tied to actual project pipeline
• and often more through campus channels or targeted hiring rather than massive open postings

So the fact you’re seeing fewer associate-level openings is real.

That said, I would not interpret it as “the market is closed.” It’s more cyclical / timing-related.

On networking: honestly, for someone early in career, the goal is not “networking” in the abstract. The goal is to build a few real professional relationships.

A simple way to start:

• reach out to people with backgrounds similar to yours
• ask for 15 mins to understand their path
• be curious and specific
• don’t ask for referrals immediately

Most people fail because their outreach is too generic.

A much better message is:
“I saw you moved from X into consulting in Riyadh and I’d really value hearing how you approached it.”

Also, consistency matters more than intensity.
Two good conversations per month are worth more than spamming 50 people.

And one practical thing: in the Middle East market especially, visibility and relationships matter a lot more than people think. So even if hiring is slower, networking is still worth doing.

Yes, it has slowed down. I’ve heard the same from several coachees I work with, and they’re reporting fewer entry-level openings across the board. The broader macroeconomic situation in the region isn’t really helping, so firms are being more selective and leaning more on campus pipelines for now.

That said, this is actually a great window to double down on networking and positioning yourself well. If you can build strong connections over the next few months, you’ll be in a much better spot to submit applications in late Q3 or Q4, when hiring activity typically picks up again.

Best,
Franco

Yes recruiting in Saudi is slower right now, partly because it is summer and firms are heads down on the intern cycle. Entry level lateral hiring usually picks up again post summer once the intern cycle wraps up. How quickly it ramps will also depend on how the regional uncertainties evolve in the next few months.
If you are willing to relocate to Saudi and bring relevant credentials, there is a real possibility. Local based candidates have an edge in this market.
On networking, the basics are simple but most people do them poorly. Identify the right people through LinkedIn, reach out directly with a short and specific message, and where possible go around LinkedIn to direct work emails which tend to have higher response rates. Quality of outreach matters more than volume but you do need volume too. Once you get one conversation, always ask for one more introduction within the firm.

Good luck ! 

Hi there,

I’m sorry you’re navigating this challenging job market. The Middle East recruitment landscape was already tightening due to reduced regional funding, particularly from KSA, but broader geopolitical tensions, mainly the US-Iran conflict concerns and their impact on the GCC, have created even more uncertainty. As a result, hiring in consulting, along with many other industries, has become increasingly competitive.

For your next steps, focus on making sure your case interview preparation is exceptional so that you’re fully ready when opportunities arise. At the same time, invest in building a strong, long-term networking strategy across a broad range of firms. Expanding your reach and maintaining consistent connections can significantly improve your chances.

Wishing you the very best in your search.

Annika

hey!

Saudi Arabia has slowed a bit on public entry‑level postings, but firms are still hiring, just more through campus channels and referrals, so it feels quieter from the outside. It’s more a shift in how they hire than a real freeze. For networking, keep it simple: reach out to people with similar backgrounds, send short and specific messages, and build small touchpoints over time instead of asking for a referral right away. 

Alessa

Your read is right. Entry-level hiring at MBB Riyadh has slowed. Most early-career hiring is going through campus, and lateral associate roles get filled through Partner referrals before they're even posted.

So networking matters more than applications. Start with people 2 to 5 years ahead of you, they're more accessible. Use LinkedIn deliberately with personalised notes. Show up at industry events. Ask sharper questions than "how did you get in." Stay in touch every couple of months.

Good luck.