How a Vietnamese international student lands his dream job in Dubai

Dat, 22, began working as a consultant at Whiteshield’s Dubai branch in October.

Dinh Tien Dat in Switzerland in 2023. Photo courtesy of Dinh Tien Dat

Four years ago he had earned a full scholarship to study at IE University in Spain, one of Europe’s top business schools, and majored in finance.

While in his fourth year he sent in over 200 job applications to the U.S., Singapore, the Netherlands, and Dubai, gaining valuable insights.

While researching global job markets, he discovered that the U.S. offered high salaries but also had high income tax of 30-40%.

Foreign workers needed employer sponsorship for H1B work visas, which have a validity of five years. But the visa lottery system drastically reduced approval chances to just 14.6% in 2024.

"It is a risk many companies avoid unless you are exceptional," Dat says.

Europe favored engineering and computer science candidates, and often required proficiency in local languages.

Singapore has tightened its policies on hiring foreign workers since 2021.

So Dubai stood out with its flexible work visa policies and high, tax-free salaries.

"Companies here also value graduates from top schools in Europe and America, which gave me an advantage," Dat says.

To find positions suiting his expertise, he searched on company websites, university career services, LinkedIn, and student competitions.

Winning a competition held by Whiteshield during his final year secured him an interview.

Quantifying your CV

Dat explains that recruitment processes at major firms often take three to six months and involve three rounds: CV screening, aptitude test and interview.

He often simplified his CV while emphasizing quantifiable achievements.

So, for instance, instead of writing in his CV "I helped Vietnamese students with study abroad applications," he wrote "I organized webinars to help 300 Vietnamese students with study abroad applications."

"Quantifying results helps companies see the impact of your work," he says.

Dinh Tien Dat (2nd, L) is in the Netherlands for the Amsterdam Case Competition in 2023. Photo courtesy of Dinh Tien Dat

In aptitude tests, candidates face tasks such as image recognition, math problems, reading comprehension, and ethical dilemmas.

Dat sailed through this round confidently because he had prepared for it using materials available online.

"You should be careful since these tests are tough and determine whether you move on to the interviews," he says.

Interviews often have two stages, one to assess if a candidate fits the company and the other to test their professional skills.

For the first, Dat realized that building a personal image that aligns with the job requirements was the key to passing this round.

"I drew on my experience in scholarship consulting and dealing with internal conflicts, which matched Whiteshield’s consulting nature."

Dat replied to the interview questions by sharing a story or a problem he faced, then explaining his solution as well as the outcome of the situation.

For example, when asked about resolving workplace conflicts, he spoke about how he mediated disputes in a company, helping improve collaboration and overall business performance.

"I kept my answers specific, tying them to the company’s values and goals. Generic answers show a lack of preparation."

The technical interview tested his ability to propose economic diversification strategies beyond oil dependency.

Dat calls this round the toughest since candidates had to propose detailed plans on the spot with no preparation time.

"The round evaluates creativity, practicality and how your plan aligns with the company’s goals. Strong candidates ask precise questions to extract key information and showcase problem-solving skills."

Dien Tien Dat (4th, L) on his first day at Whiteshield, October 2024. Photo courtesy of Dinh Tien Dat

Communication and strategy are crucial in the consulting industry, Dat points out.

To prepare, he got in touch with people working for Whiteshield through the IE University alumni network and LinkedIn for mock interviews.

He advises new graduates to know their strengths, be open to opportunities across different industries and locations and use their connections to secure job opportunities.

"Companies don’t expect perfection from the start—they value critical thinking, market awareness and proof that you can align your experience with their goals."