As of 1 May 2025, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced significant new hiring regulations that standardize how private sector employers advertise job vacancies and conduct interviews.
Key Changes for Hiring Employers in Saudi Arabia
Private sector employers in Saudi Arabia must now follow detailed procedures when posting job advertisements and organizing interviews. Specifically:
1. Standardized Job Advertisements
Job postings must now comply with the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations and be published on approved platforms only. These include official digital platforms, company websites, licensed job fairs, and official social media channels.
All advertisements must include a brief description of the organization, a clear job description and required qualifications, a summary of the nature of the work, working hours, and offered benefits, the application deadline, and options for electronic submission of applications.
2. Stricter Interview Protocols
Once candidates are shortlisted, employers must notify applicants of the interview details including type, date, and time at least three working days in advance, The interview location must meet occupational health and safety standards, provide adequate facilities, and accommodate applicants with disabilities
Employers must conduct interviews via a committee of at least two Saudi nationals, including one HR specialist. with non-Saudi specialists allowed under certain conditions.
3. Protection of Candidate Rights
New interview protocols also include ethical protections. Employers are prohibited from asking about personal freedoms or confidential employment information from previous roles. Employers must document the results of all interviews and notify applicants of the final outcome within 30 days.
Implications for Employers in Saudi Arabia
These new regulations introduce a higher standard of transparency and structure into the recruitment process in Saudi Arabia. For global organizations hiring in the country, these changes highlight the importance of local compliance with labor and recruitment laws, enhanced HR and hiring coordination, and inclusive, fair, and well-documented recruitment practices.
Employers will need to review and potentially overhaul their recruitment workflows, from the platforms they use to post roles, to the way they structure interviews and issue final decisions.