I want to discuss something based on my experience in the Gcc market.
In a few situations, I felt that regional or language-based preference may have influenced hiring decisions, especially when people from the same state or community were already in management positions. I have personally experienced cases where I felt my skills and interview performance were not the only factors considered.
I know this does not mean everyone from Kerala behaves this way, and I don't want to generalize an entire community. I am genuinely interested in understanding whether others have noticed regional favoritism or networking advantages in Gulf workplaces, regardless of which Indian state or community is involved.
Has anyone else experienced this? How common is regional favoritism in hiring and promotions in the Gulf?