Professional.me, an Abu Dhabi-based AI-powered talent intelligence platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Hult International Business School to conduct a 12-week pilot program designed to examine and improve the job-search experience for international graduate students in the UAE. The initiative aims to track how critical factors such as sponsorship requirements, employer response rates, and confidence levels impact employment outcomes for early-career talent.
Addressing The “No Response” Barrier
Prior to launching the pilot, Professional.me conducted a baseline survey with participating learners to identify the primary hurdles facing international graduates. The data revealed that 67% of participants are on student visas that require employer sponsorship, adding a layer of complexity to their job hunt. Furthermore, the lack of response to applications was cited as the top challenge, a frustration shared even by students applying to more than 50 roles.
This “black hole” of recruitment reflects broader industry trends, where approximately only 2% of applicants receive interview invitations. The survey highlighted the resulting emotional toll, with 75% of students reporting moderate-to-high anxiety regarding the job search process. “International graduates bring ambition and skills, but transitioning into a new job market can be difficult without clearer signals and expectations,” said Ryan Adams, CEO at Professional.me.
Testing AI-Driven Career Pathways
The 12-week pilot involves 60 graduate student volunteers from Hult’s MiM, MBA, and EMBA programs. These students will test “Pro.me,” a jobseeker companion platform developed by Professional.me to assist candidates in navigating the market. The study utilises a pre-test/post-test approach to measure changes in confidence, anxiety, and application-to-interview conversion rates.
The pilot focuses on whether structured matching, clearer role targeting, and tailored applications can reduce the volume of low-return applications and increase employer engagement. Megan Adams, Strategic Partnerships at Professional.me, noted that the collaboration is designed to capture the student experience in a structured way to provide practical insights for universities and employers alike.
Mandeep Sahota, Head of Career Development and Employer Relations at Hult’s Dubai campus, emphasized the importance of agility in a recruitment market being disrupted by AI. The pilot aims to help students articulate their skills intelligently while allowing employers to spot high-potential talent through a more intuitive process than traditional CV screening. A summary of the pilot’s findings is scheduled for publication in April 2026.
About Professional.me
Professional.me is an award-winning AI-powered talent intelligence platform headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Since its launch in 2024, the company has processed over 500,000 professional profiles and claims to deliver an 87% reduction in screening time for employers. The company has raised $4.6 million in total funding, including a $3.1 million seed round led by Raha Beach Ventures in 2025. Professional.me is a member of HUB71 x Techstars Cohort 17 and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) Innovation Accelerator Program Cohort 11.
Source: Press Release
