A 60-comment Reddit thread reveals which Saudi tech companies still hire based on connections rather than code.
A detailed discussion thread on r/saudiarabia titled 'Job seekers in tech, what's your biggest challenge right now?' has generated over 60 responses in 24 hours, with the overwhelming consensus pointing to wasta (personal connections) as the primary barrier to employment in the Kingdom's tech sector. Contributors shared specific examples of losing positions to less qualified candidates who had family or tribal connections within hiring companies, with several naming particular firms where technical skills assessments appeared to be secondary to relationship networks. The thread evolved into a crowdsourced database of which companies genuinely hire based on merit versus those where connections remain essential, creating valuable intelligence for job seekers navigating the market. Multiple contributors confirmed that even at international tech companies with local Saudi offices, understanding internal relationship dynamics often trumped technical expertise in final hiring decisions.
The forum discussion revealed a pattern where fresh computer science graduates from top Saudi universities struggle to secure entry-level positions without family connections, while simultaneously witnessing less technically skilled candidates advance through hiring processes based solely on who they know. Several thread participants shared screenshots of rejection emails received within hours of applying, suggesting that applications without internal advocacy are filtered out before technical review. The collective frustration has led to the creation of informal mentorship networks where job seekers with successful placement experience share specific relationship-building strategies alongside technical preparation advice.
The most upvoted advice in the thread centered on strategic networking approaches, with successful job seekers sharing specific tactics for building relationships within target companies through professional associations, university alumni networks, and industry events. Contributors emphasized that understanding Saudi business culture and investing time in relationship building often yields better results than solely focusing on technical skill development. Several posts detailed successful career pivots that occurred only after candidates invested months in building genuine professional relationships within their target organizations.
The forum consensus suggests that job seekers should allocate equal time to technical preparation and strategic networking, treating relationship building as a core job search skill rather than an optional advantage. Successful candidates recommend joining professional organizations like the Saudi Computer Society, attending industry meetups in major cities, and volunteering for tech conferences to build genuine professional connections. The community is also sharing specific names of hiring managers and team leads who are known to prioritize technical merit over connections.
While frustrating for many candidates, the forum discussion also revealed signs of gradual change, with several international companies and startup environments showing more merit-based hiring practices. The transparency created by these forum discussions appears to be pressuring some employers to adopt more structured, skills-based evaluation processes to maintain their reputation among tech talent.