Headhunting in Dubai: Reach Specialists Who Are Not Looking

In short: headhunting is the search for people who do not answer job ads: doctors with their own patient base, top beauty specialists with loyal clients, managers, assistants to principals. We map the market, approach candidates confidentially, assess them and present a shortlist. You make the hiring decision and agree the terms. Our fee is fixed per role and agreed before the search starts, with a free replacement within one month after the start date. The start date depends on the candidate's notice period: under UAE law it is usually 30 to 90 days.

When you need headhunting, not regular hiring

A key role. Medical director, clinic or salon manager, head of sales: a wrong hire costs more than the search.
Someone with their own base. A doctor, injector, stylist or master whom patients and clients follow personally.
A rare specialty. A niche DHA-licensed doctor, an eClaimLink specialist, a chief of staff for a family or family office.
A confidential replacement. You need to quietly find someone for a position that is still filled, without a public vacancy.
A vacancy open for months. You get applications, but not the level you need: strong candidates simply do not read job ads.

Regular hiring vs headhunting

	Turnkey hiring	Headhunting
Who we look for	People looking for a job or open to one	People who are employed and not looking
Where candidates come from	TLNT database, applications, referrals	A market map: who works where, LinkedIn, professional communities, referrals
How we approach	Vacancy and screening	A personal, confidential approach to each person
First candidates	Within days, start in about 2 weeks	Shortlist usually in 2-3 weeks, start after the notice period
Best for	Front-line and experienced specialists	Key, rare and confidential roles

How we work

Profile and market map

We go through the role, the results you expect and the package, then list the companies and people with the experience you need.

Confidential approach

We write and call personally and do not name your company until there is mutual interest. We explain honestly why the role could matter to this particular person.

Assessment

Interviews on real cases, DHA licence checks for medical roles, references, a practical check on a model for masters and doctors. We look at the non-compete clause in the candidate's current contract.

Shortlist and meetings

We introduce 2-4 candidates who meet the criteria agreed at the start, with an honest view of strengths and risks.

Offer and start

We advise on a market package; you agree the terms with the candidate directly. We help with the current employer's counteroffer and the notice period, and stay in touch in the first weeks.

FAQ

What is headhunting?

Headhunting is the search for specialists and managers who are employed and not looking for a job. A consultant finds them through a market map, approaches them personally and confidentially, assesses them and introduces them to the employer. The employer makes the hiring decision.

How is headhunting different from regular recruitment?

Regular hiring works with people who are looking for a job or open to one. Headhunting reaches people who do not read vacancies, so it is used for key, rare and confidential roles. A shortlist is usually ready in 2-3 weeks, and the start date depends on the candidate's notice period.

Is it legal to headhunt employees in the UAE?

Offering a job to someone employed by another company is legal. Check their current contract: UAE law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 10) allows a non-compete clause of up to 2 years after the contract ends, limited by time, place and type of work. We look at this clause before the offer; a lawyer gives the legal assessment.

How much does headhunting cost?

The fee is fixed for each role and agreed before the search starts. 10% of the fee starts the search, the rest is due once the person has started work. Free replacement within one month after the start date.

Will candidates know that our company is hiring?

Not until you want them to. We describe the role without the company name and reveal it only to candidates who have confirmed interest and passed the first assessment.

Headhunting in Dubai and the UAE

When you need headhunting, not regular hiring

Regular hiring vs headhunting

How we work

Who we headhunt

Terms

FAQ

Tell us who you are looking for