Salaries on offer for most United Arab Emirates jobs are among the highest in the developing world, although minimum wage does not exist and the cost of living is escalating. Workers are paid monthly (as opposed to commanding an hourly, daily or weekly rate, as is common in many Western countries) and the UAE has a very strong work ethic. It is not unusual for employees to work six or even seven-day weeks, although Friday is widely observed as the Muslim day of rest and Muslim workers are not expected to work for more than six hours a day during Ramadan.

Whatever your profession, there are plenty of jobs in the Middle East but it is always advisable to secure employment before making the move over there. As a non-national, you will not be entitled to any benefits should you find yourself out of work. Also, under the prevailing Sharia law, the penalties imposed for defaulting on a debt can be draconian. For details on what it is like for an expatriate to work in Saudi Arabia specifically (the largest Arab country), the website http://workinginsaudiarabia.blogspot.com/ has some useful advice.

Foreign workers are often recommended to target larger companies that can help them to settle in the area and who probably offer more benefits than a smaller organisation.  There is also more job security associated with larger companies, as well as larger salaries and more benefits.  

Jobs seekers will find that among the positions available are jobs for computer programmers, software developers, systems analysts, IT engineers, project managers and general managers.  A recruitment agency may be able to help you to find a suitable vacancy but job seekers should be sure they are working with a reputable agency as there are a number of organisations in operation which attempt to defraud people.  Do not pay any money to a recruitment agency. 

Most IT jobs in Saudi Arabia will be based in one of the major cities, usually either Riyadh or Jeddah.  It is important for those moving to the region to ensure that they are familiar with the customs and differences between life there and in the West.  For those unfamiliar with the region it can be a culture shock when you first arrive to discover that there are restrictions on travelling and no nightclubs.

The embassy will need all the paperwork associated with any offer of jobs in Saudi Arabia; this includes the job contract, details of the worker’s qualifications and a medical examination certificate. Once all the paperwork has been checked and verified by the embassy they will then issue the visa number.  A stamped residency visa is issued, and once the worker arrives in the country this is converted into a residency permit. It is required by law that all foreign workers carry this permit with them at all times. It is a form of photograph identification and authorities can ask to see it at any time.

The worker must have at least six months left to run on their passport; if there is less than one year to go, it may be worth getting a fresh passport before leaving the country. Several photocopies of the passport should be made as all passports are left with the employer. This is because random checks are made with employers to ensure their workers are not being employed illegally.

Those relocating for work with their families should be aware that all their family members need birth certificates and medical examination certificates also.

Anyone who has an Israeli stamp on their passport will not be allowed to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Fast-track construction positions are still plentiful, but for the skilled professional, there is a wide array of jobs available in Saudi available.  The recent increase in the demand for power has necessitated the advent of more industrial power plants and other related entities.  Other sectors which have witnessed an increase in job opportunities include the banking and finance, education, engineering, healthcare, management, media, and tourism industries.

If you have the right qualifications and skills for any of these areas, there is a good possibility you will be able to find ideal jobs in Saudi Arabia.  Use the internet to target your search for the best jobs available by visiting any of the major job posting sites.  Make sure that you have a cover letter prepared to go along with your updated CV or resume.  These tools make for an excellent first impression when contacting a variety of potential employers.  Additionally, you might consider contacting job recruiters who are reputable and do not charge you a job finding fee.

The UAE is one of the most developed economies in the Middle East and continues to go from strength to strength, and is renowned for its oil and gas reserves (it has the seventh largest oil reserves in the world and the UAE is the third-largest oil producer in the Middle East – daily output is in the region of 2.5 million barrels). Professions in the oil and gas industry are particularly abundant in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. Qatar has the world’s third-largest gas reserves and is now a powerful independent state with one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. Saudi’s oil accounts for more than 90 per cent of exports and comprises three quarters of total government revenues.

If you are a professional in the oil and gas industry with a strong CV and a desire to move to this exciting and progressive part of the world, you are in a good position to secure a well-paid job with good prospects.

When you are searching for a career position in Saudi Arabia, keep in mind that a number of employers contract to employment recruiters to handle the application process.  Some of these charge you the fee while others charge the employer for their services.  So unless you have the budget for this, you should only look at the more reputable recruiting agencies that do not charge you a fee.  Additionally, you want to avoid using the services of employment agencies.  Just keep in mind that anytime you are dealing with any aspect of the internet that nothing is immune to scam artists.

Make sure that before you begin applying to your prospective employers that you have updated your CV or resume.  It also should be accurate and free from any spelling errors.  You will also want to compose a cover letter to accompany that CV or resume as this creates a better first impression of you for that prospective employer.  On a closing note, make sure that you contact the larger companies that have been in business the longest when applying.

Once you have been offered a job in Saudi Arabia, details of the contract, your professional qualifications and medical examination certificate need to be passed to the Saudi embassy.  A visa number is then issued and the Saudi embassy can provide you with a stamped residency visa, which is converted to a residency permit when you arrive in the country. 

Foreign workers are required to carry this permit at all times as it will have a photograph on it and is a form of ID.

A foreigner’s passport must have at least six months left to run on it and it is recommended to keep several photocopies, as passports must be left with the employer.  The authorities in Saudi Arabia make regular checks with employers to ensure that workers are not being employed illegally. 

Birth certificates should also be provided for all members of the family who will be living in the country and medical certificates are required.  Medical examination is required in your own country prior to application and another is required when you arrive in the Kingdom.  All workers must prove they are in good health and not afflicted with any sexually transmitted or other diseases.

Those who have a stamp in their passport from Israel will not be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia.

There are two basic teaching jobs available in Saudi.  The first one is obviously in a school, but you can also find positions where people are looking for private English tutors, perhaps for themselves or their children.  Think carefully about the kind of environment you want to work in before you apply for jobs like this in Saudi Arabia; it will help you make the right choice.

There are lots of diverse teaching positions available, so you have a good chance of finding something that plays to your strengths.  For example you could teach sciences or perhaps be a careers counsellor.  Lecturing positions and also openings for associate professors are there for those people who have the right qualifications.  You must ensure that a particular teaching job in Saudi Arabia is open to people who do not currently live in the country.  Some are aimed at people who are already residents.

Researching the opportunities available is the first step in deciding which teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia will suit you the best.  There are certainly lots of them available.

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.

Jobs in Saudi Arabia are plentiful for the moment despite the fact that the global economy has been sketchy over the past year.  Many areas in the Gulf region are still witnessing a flourishing economy and Saudi Arabia is no exception.  There has been a pleasantly surprising increase in other career and job sectors, two of which are the real estate and tourism industries.  The highest demand for jobs is coming from the banking and finance, fast-track construction, healthcare, IT and telecommunications, and media employment sectors.

When you are conducting your career and job search online, make sure that your CV or resume is accurate and up-to-date.  Additionally, you should compose a cover letter to accompany your CV or resume as this will improve that first impression that the prospective employer has of you.  Most of the better online job posting sites feature contact applications for e-mailing your personal information to that particular employer.  However, it never hurts to establish personal contact with an individual who is involved in the hiring process for that company.