John Tinsley : Money Matters

For many, changing jobs in the Middle East can prove too time consuming and difficult to even contemplate. The nature of gaining employment in Middle Eastern nations through sponsorship and a work contract means that obligations to a hiring company are great and due to the attractive income and indemnity options provided to expatriates, job transfer is not often an option that workers want to consider.

Traditionally foreign workers were provided with short term contracts, often around two years, which could be extended by the mutual consent of both employee and employer. However changes in recent times, largely to protect employers from losing their workforce to competitors, have meant that open-ended contracts are often issued. Usually including clauses such as an employer’s right to wait a six month period before renewing an employee’s visa, it has made it increasingly difficult for some to change jobs, with this clause in particular resulting in individuals having to effectively leave the nation for half a year before they can apply for a new work visa.

There are ways of changing jobs; particularly if both parties give mutual consent and an employee or sponsor provides a no objection certificate (NOC). However, employers are often reluctant to issue these as a large investment, including relocation and training costs, has been made in a worker – costs which a competitor would not have to incur. Meanwhile even those who leave the country for six months before reapplying for a visa may find it difficult to find an appropriate position in the niche they were previously working in due to companies’ reluctance to fall out with one another, especially over workforce considerations.

With such difficulties in changing jobs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia it is vital for workers to fully investigate and research a position before they take it as, in the Middle East, there is no quick fix for an unhappy work placement.

With English being an important language in Dubai there are a range of opportunities for teachers who wish to share their native language. Whilst considerable cultural differences often result in very few native English speakers being found in the state education system, the need to school expatriate children and local adults working in a range of hospitality and construction sectors means that individuals can often find jobs teaching English in Dubai.

As advertised in newspaper supplements and a range of professional teaching publications, those looking at teaching English in UAE nations such as Dubai have a number of options open to them. Private schools, mostly educating the children of expatriates, are commonplace with English normally being the main language used. French schools may also offer English teachers the opportunity to find highly paid work.

Meanwhile, with a rise in tourism and nationals wanting to learn the English language, teaching English at language schools is also an option. However, with other foreign expatriates also attending classes the job hours can be difficult due to individuals only being able to attend after work; therefore teachers may have to work late into the evening. Private tuition is also very popular, especially in Dubai, providing a lucrative means of employment though it is often seasonal, falling in line with examination schedules, and therefore is normally conducted by those already working in a teaching position elsewhere.

Lastly there is also some work available as an interpreter or translator for contractual, technical and legal paperwork. In addition some management courses and lecturers require individuals with translation skills, though such work is often only offered on a short term and part time contract.

Every country and part of the world has its own recruitment agents, and the Gulf is no different.  If you have specific skills and abilities to offer to employers in the Gulf, you may benefit from contacting various recruitment agencies to try and find jobs in the Gulf that are suitable for you.

Firstly, go online and search for agencies in the Gulf.  Some of them will be general agencies that provide all kinds of workers that the Gulf needs.  In other instances they will be more specific.  For example there is an agency called Heston which primarily recruits people for the oil and gas industry.  Elsewhere Arab Recruitment is a large company that has interests all over the Gulf and has openings for jobs in many different sectors.

As you can see there are clear benefits in signing up for a recruitment agency for jobs the Gulf.  With that said though, you do need to sign up for the best agency for your needs.  If you have no firm idea of which industry you want to work in, go for a more general purpose recruitment agency.  Otherwise search for one that specialises in the kind of jobs you want to do.

There is no doubt that there are plenty of jobs the Gulf available.  The trick is to find them and ensure you can match yourself up to the right one.  Agencies can help you through this procedure and give plenty of advice as well.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest oil producers and many countries globally are dependent on the Saudi gas and oil industry.  As a result of this industry and economic growth in the country, it has become a favorite destination for job seekers who are looking for overseas careers.  Industrial plant jobs and generation projects were the hot tickets in the past couple of years but there are other job sectors displaying numerous job opportunities such as IT and telecommunications.

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.

If you are looking for an IT job in Dubai you must be familiar with what is expected of you.  The exact qualifications you need for an IT job in Dubai will depend on the nature of the job you want to apply for.  You should certainly have some experience as otherwise you will be disappointed.  Employers are looking for people who already have some experience in the field, not for beginners.

You will come across some familiar company names as you begin your search for an IT job in Dubai.  For example KPMG and Oracle are just two of the companies you could work for.

Each separate job vacancy will have a list of the qualifications you need.  For example a recent job posting for IT support staff requested the applicants to have between three and five years worth of experience.  Qualifications required included a Bachelor’s Degree and banking experience.

Another example was for an IT director, who would need around ten years of experience and a Bachelor’s Degree.  You will also find that within the body of the job description specific qualifications may be listed, so do look out for these to ensure you have everything that is required of you.

But occasionally – as with the case of an IT job in Dubai for an IT technician –no experience or qualifications at all are asked for.  Presumably in this case they would be prepared to train the right candidate.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the two main partners within the UAE and subsidise the other emirates. There is a vast array of hydrocarbon processing jobs in the Middle East, including subsea, refinery and drilling professions. Throughout this region, there have been attempts at economic diversification so non-oil business now accounts for more than half of the total GDP; however the oil and gas industry remains the very bedrock of the UAE’s economy, as it is for all the Gulf States. UAE oil jobs are widely advertised and the region has traditionally been a popular destination for petrochemical engineers and other professionals in this field.

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.

Despite its open economy and very diverse businesses, the petroleum industry still has a large presence in Kuwait.  These oil operations in the emirate have been well run and profitable for many years.  This strength and superior management has led to the nation becoming one of the richest in the Middle East, with a continued gross domestic product growth rate of 8%.  There are long term opportunities in the petroleum industry in Kuwait, and the emirate is able to maintain these oil jobs in a most highly rewarding fashion for the employees. 

While other nations may be struggling to maintain a strong economy in this time of crisis, Kuwait is known for its low unemployment rate of 2.2%.  Kuwait oil jobs are in high demand, with one of the highest pay rates for workers in the industry the world over.  It is also important to note that Kuwait is a tax free nation, with the government receiving all its income from business and industry.  This excellent pay comes entirely tax free, and represents far more income than it would in a Western nation.

The opportunities in Kuwait are much like any other oil job, with the exception that these opportunities pay increasingly well, with absolutely no tax liability whatsoever.  These opportunities are open to both citizens as well as non-native workers interested in working at any one of the government oilfields, and should be seriously considered by anyone needing to earn an excellent income in the industry.

If you have only recently graduated from university, a job in the Middle East might be a viable option for you, particularly if your degree was in one of the following disciplines: engineering (chemical, construction, electronic, civil and industrial), business administration, economics, the sciences or architecture. For example, chemical engineering graduates, particularly those from a top university with a good class of degree, are well-placed to find jobs in oil-rich Qatar – there are always jobs (mostly contract) at all levels in Qatar in the oil and gas sector.

University graduates with a background in trade and tourism, hospitality and catering, PR, law, IT and telecommunications are also likely to find plenty of tempting, suitable and lucrative positions with excellent prospects in the UAE. They may also find many opportunities for jobs in Saudi Arabia.

Dubai in particular has become increasingly attractive to new graduates looking to embark on their brand new career, due to the diverse opportunities offered by its wealthy and expanding business centre. However, in recent years the UAE government has forged an initiative (‘Emiratisation’, or the replacement of expatriates with national workers) to address the problem of unemployment among native Emirates. (91.5% of workers across the UAE are expatriates.) This process of Emiratisation is becoming especially apparent in certain sectors including banking, government organisations and public relations, where local businesses are more inclined to recruit nationals over similarly-qualified and skilled foreign applicants.
 
Since the UAE government has been implementing a policy of economic diversification to reduce the region’s reliance on oil, the tourist industry and business sector have had a new lease on life, which has in turn sparked a construction boom.

A job in Dubai is what is tempting many jobseekers to up sticks and make the move to the Gulf, where the weather is great, the income usually tax free and the quality of life second to none.

Prospective Dubai residents and workers will have to make a few arrangements in advance of going, such as sorting out the UAE visa requirements and preferably securing a job before heading out. They’ll also need to inform the appropriate authorities at home that they’re no longer resident there for tax purposes.

Use Gulf States employment websites and regular employers’ recruitment expos to check out what’s available in the way of landing a job in Dubai. Dubai’s use of Free Trade Zones to organise its employment sectors simplifies the job-hunting process to some extent.

If your skill set is in IT, you’ll find the jobs concentrated in Dubai Internet City. Business and management experts will home in on the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), where companies specialising in insurance and banking are based. Healthcare City and the Biotechnology and Research Park have their own specialisations, and doing a search on their websites will yield a wealth of opportunities.

Once a position is secured, your employer there can sponsor you to make the move and secure a temporary residency permit which will cover your period of employment.

Leaving home can be a wrench, but like everything else it can be a fresh start too, and a job in Dubai could be just what you need to reinvigorate your professional and personal life.

If you have the required set of skills, getting a job in Dubai could be one of the best moves you ever made. Not only is the income tax free, but the quality of life in Dubai greatly exceeds that in lots of other countries, and the weather is of course fantastic. Thousands of foreign workers make the move there every year, from English teachers and media experts to computer programmers and bankers.

Dubai banking jobs are mainly to be found in Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), one of a number of so-called Free Trade Zones. There’s Healthcare City, for example, specialising in the health industry, and if you’re an IT specialist who lands a job in Dubai you’ll almost certainly have your base somewhere in Internet City. This industry division can make it easier to look for Dubai banking jobs and other jobs, as the Zones have their own websites for searches.

You may also drop in on one of the numerous regular expos held throughout the year in various countries by Dubai recruiters looking to fill positions. You can submit your CV, have a chat about prospects and maybe even land a job on the spot.

Inform the authorities before you set off that you’re not resident at home anymore for tax purposes, otherwise your Dubai income won’t work out as tax free as you’d anticipated. You’ll also need a temporary residency permit to live and work in Dubai, and this can be sorted out once your employer has sponsored you with the Dubai government.