John Tinsley : Gulf Recruitment

If you’ve been considering relocating to and working in the Gulf regions of the Middle East, don’t overlook Saudi Arabia as a viable choice for overseas employment.  Jobs in Saudi Arabia are still plentiful despite the overall shape of the global economy.  In fact, the instability of the global economy in general has probably stimulated the recent increase in the popularity of the Middle East career and job market.  Remember that Saudi Arabia is one of the largest of the world’s oil producers, so it makes sense that the nation has become a targeted destination.

In 2008, the power supply demand in Saudi Arabia alone grew some 70%, compared to the 20% growth factor that was experienced in 2007.  Statistics are not yet complete for this past year (2009), but there are indications that this may have dropped off slightly.  But this dramatic increase in the demand for power has resulted in a spike in the career and job opportunities in several fields.

Although the most significant growth of Saudi Arabia jobs has been in fast-track construction positions and fields relative to the oil and gas industry, other job sectors are still experiencing steady growth in the opportunities for employment that are currently available.  Other employment opportunities exist in the banking and finance, IT and telecommunications, and media industries for the individual who is qualified and skilled in these types of careers.  Finally, keep in mind that due to the population growth in these Gulf areas that the real estate and tourism industries have seen some significant growth as well.

Bahrain is part of the United Arab Emirates and those who apply for jobs in Emirates will find that there is a certain amount of paperwork to be dealt with prior to arrival in the state.  Jobs in United Arab Emirates are becoming increasingly popular and it is important to have all the documentation in place before you arrive in the country.  It is advisable to check with the UAE embassy in your own country to received up to date information on the documentation that is required.

Work visas are usually arranged by the employer upon a firm offer of employment.  The employer will act as sponsor for the employee and is responsible for their worker during their time in UAE.  The fees are paid by the employer and the work visa is usually valid for either one or two years.  Once the work visa has been issued it doubles as the residence visa. 

The worker must have a passport which has at least six months left to run, birth certificates and medical certificate.  Medical examinations before and after you enter the country are essential to show you are in good health and free from AIDS/HIV and other communicable diseases. 

Once you are resident in the country, identification documents such as the national identity card and relevant visas must be carried at all times.  Employers will usually retain passports as they are subject to spot checks by the immigration service to control the number of illegal workers in the country. 

Those who have any visible connection with Israel will be denied entry to the country. 

Companies looking to hire for jobs in Middle Eastern countries are looking for individuals who are team players. They want people who can come in and teach their local employees the value of hard work and team play. In many ways, an individual’s ability to work in a team environment is considered as important as any other skill. No one wants a lone wolf on their staff, because these individuals do nothing but harm the overall advancement of a company. Most of the jobs in Dubai and other Middle Eastern countries are related to technological fields these days, as well as oil jobs and banking positions, and all of these are workplaces where a team environment is essential to the daily operations.

Being a team player goes beyond simply being capable of communicating with others on a regular basis. Whether you are working a Dubai telecom job and setting up telecommunications between companies and residential areas or working a Dubai banking job and performing as part of a finance team looking at global finance and marketing for local firms, team skills are essential. In some ways they are more important when looking at jobs in Middle Eastern countries than anywhere else because you are coming in as a foreigner, and your ability to adapt to a team of culturally and religiously diverse people can make or break your career. Effective relationship management is essential to the success of your career on a long term basis, and regardless of which jobs you are working it is vital to your viability as an employee.

Bahrain is an independent emirate which consists of a number of small islands situated in the Gulf of Bahrain.  It is between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.  It is already linked to Saudi Arabia by a causeway and another is planned to link it to Qatar.  Like its neighbours, Bahrain is rich in oil and gas and attracts foreign workers. 

It is the gas and oil industries which are the main part of Bahrain’s economy and the government is supporting the growth and expansion of the industries.  Vacancies range from entry level positions to senior executives with preference being given to candidates with relevant qualifications. 

Bahrain IT jobs are becoming increasingly popular as the industry grows.  A number of recruitment agencies advertise regularly for software designers, computer programmers and senior management vacancies within the industry.
 
Bahrain banking jobs have a potential for massive growth.  The country has constructed a massive financial quarter to encourage banks and investment organisations to base themselves in the region and the possibilities are endless for those with relevant experience and qualifications. 

There are a number of websites which advertise Bahrain jobs in a number of industries and reputable recruitment agencies are regularly placing workers with the larger corporations.

Foreign workers will need to have a firm offer of employment before they are able to apply for a work permit and this will need to be arranged by the employer.  The employer acts as a sponsor and is responsible for the worker while they are in the country.

Above and beyond the importance of a professional CV when it comes to landing a job in a Middle Eastern country, it is impossible to overestimate the importance of business acumen. Whether you are applying for Qatar oil jobs or Saudi IT jobs, employers are going to look for individuals with a sound understanding of how businesses work, and more specifically how your particular industry runs. Companies hiring for jobs in Dubai are not looking for middle-of-the-road candidates; rather, they are looking for people who are keyed into efficiency, productivity, and have an understanding of the bottom line and how to achieve it.

If you are applying for a position in the oil industry in Dubai, for example, you are going to need to demonstrate a strong understanding the global oil industry. This includes pricing structure, an understanding of basic engineering, and all the relevant problem-solving skills that can help you identify and define problems with clarity and precision, making you the perfect addition to the team. Companies hiring in the Middle East are looking for workers who can implement the perfect business solution; this is why they are hiring individuals from outside the country rather than sticking to local candidates. They are looking at a global pool of candidates for jobs in Dubai, jobs in the United Arab Emirates, and jobs throughout the Middle East. Regardless of the position that you apply for, you need to be able to convey an absolute understanding of your chosen business. If you can do that, you can land jobs in Middle Eastern countries regardless of where they are located.

There are many recruitment agencies who are advertising Dubai bank jobs.  These are usually very well paid with attractive benefits such as living allowances, pensions and the prospect of forging a high flying career. 

Many of these jobs will expect the applicant to have several years of experience in the financial sector and if that is the requirement, those who have less need not apply.  Competition is fierce and to stand a good chance of winning the post you will need to meet all the criteria in the job specification. 

There are some entry level positions available and these make a good starting point for university graduates to begin their financial careers.  Established financial organisations will provide all the necessary training for successful applicants. 

Foreign workers who go to the Gulf have to be sponsored by their employer, who pays for visas and arranges accommodation.  This ensures that they look after their worker as they are then officially responsible for them.

Dubai banking jobs will range from senior positions such as chief financial officer to account managers, collections managers and trading positions.  Applying via recruitment agencies is a good way to get a foot in the door though applicants should ensure that the agency they are using is a reputable one which is recognised by regulatory bodies. 

Another option is to begin working here for a financial institution and move to the Gulf via an internal transfer.  This provides a new opportunity in a new environment while remaining with the same company. 

Anyone who is fresh out of college is faced with a fairly challenging prospect: their CV is either extremely thin, or quite possibly nonexistent. Not to mention their work experience is fairly limited, and contacts in the business world are probably nonexistent as well. The best part about working jobs in Middle Eastern countries is that places like Saudi Arabia and Dubai are looking for a wide range of skill sets when it comes to continuing the development of the Persian Gulf, and their emphasis is on finding young, bright, enthusiastic college graduates who are willing to help build companies from the ground up and stick with them for the length of a career. If you are looking for a great job, there’s no better time than now to look towards the Middle East.

Whether you are looking at Dubai banking jobs or Qatar oil jobs, or even just working as an engineer on one of the many projects going up in Abu Dhabi, there is a wide array of opportunities available to you when it comes to jobs in Middle Eastern countries. Considering how many employers are looking for fresh-faced college graduates just like yourself, it narrows down the prospects considerably, but you still need to be aware of which industries can offer you the opportunities you are interested in. You should find a focus of interest and a job that looks like it might suit your desires, and go from there. Send your CV out to a recruiting agency today and get prepared for the time of your life.

One of the first things to understand when it comes to finding a job in today’s market is that your opportunities are no longer limited to your local region. The online marketplace has created an environment where there is a global pool of opportunities to pull from, with jobs in Middle Eastern countries at an all-time high, and as long as you have an adventuresome spirit and the willingness to work in an environment where your wages are potentially income-tax free (such as working in the United Arab Emirates), your job search could be at an end.

One of the first steps to avoiding unemployment is to structure your search beyond simply your local environment. Understand that internet research can mean the difference between dipping into your life savings and continuing on your career path. You have to be willing to look beyond your own front door, and considering the number of jobs available in Middle Eastern countries, now is the perfect time to tackle something new.

Networking is considered a mandatory skill in today’s working environment, and there is no better way to network than by looking at jobs in Dubai, jobs in Kuwait, jobs in Saudi Arabia, or jobs in other Middle East countries. This part of the world is growing at a rapid pace, and whether it is IT jobs, banking, financing, media, engineering, or construction, don’t limit yourself to local opportunities or you could be out of work for months. Go global and become one of the new wave of opportunity takers.

Many job seekers today feel that the city of Dubai is an employment mecca for those individuals who wish to relocate and work in the Gulf area of the Middle East.  It is no secret that the Dubai economy has been thriving for years now, but the main allure for so many job seekers is the fact that the area is a tax-free environment.  Not only this, but the opportunities available to the qualified person are literally everywhere.  It is also a leader in the cultural and free trade industries.

Many good opportunities for lucrative jobs in Dubai exist with the real estate and tourism sectors being the most prolific in the career segment of the economy.  Additionally, there are no quota or trade barriers.  So it should come as no surprise that a job in Dubai could be a dream come true for the right person.  Currently, there are more than 80 airlines and over 170 shipping lines that service the city.  All of these impact the Dubai job market very positively.

In order to find a job in Dubai your first step should be to search the Internet at one of several job posting sites.  You can fine tune your search with the words ‘Dubai jobs’ or ‘jobs in Dubai‘ in order to find what is currently being offered.  See if there is a contact e-mail for HR departments within the companies you focus on and find out if there are suitable jobs available that you are qualified for.  Make sure that you have a cover letter prepared as well as your CV or resume.

Whether you are working an IT job in the UAE or a telecom job in Saudi Arabia, time management is just as important as it is anywhere else in the world. It is one of the deciding factors when it comes to whether or not you will be hired for jobs in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, because employers want to know that you are superior to any local candidates they could hire from the surrounding regions. Your ability to abide by a schedule and produce superior results on the job can make or break your ability to succeed in any job in the Middle East.

One of the things which must be foremost in your thought process is, “how am I better than the local candidates that they could hire for a much cheaper rate.” The reason for this is simple: jobs in Middle East countries require a high level of skill, but at the same time a company cannot afford to hire an individual who is going to poorly manage their time, miss deadlines, show up to meetings late, and otherwise perform inefficiently. Many of the jobs in Middle East countries relate to management, and you must be able to demonstrate a firm grasp of the importance of time management to set yourself apart from local candidates who could be hired at a fraction of what you are being paid. Make procrastination nothing more than a word in the dictionary and you will find success regardless of which job in the Middle East you pursue.