John Tinsley : Gulf Recruitment

If you want to get a job in Dubai you may think the best way to do it is to fly out to Dubai and see what you can apply for and get one while you are there.  But in fact nothing could be further from the truth.

You may be lucky and snag a job in Dubai by trying this method.  But it should be said that you are far more likely to succeed in finding jobs in Dubai if you stay at home and log onto the internet using your computer.  This might sound like a very remote way of finding the work you want, but the truth is that most people who find the job they are looking for, do it through this method.

There is still a lot to be said for research though.  Find out as much as you can about working in Dubai and what kinds of jobs in Dubai are available before applying for anything.  There are countless different websites that will help you in this respect, and there are many employment agencies who might just offer the job in Dubai you are looking for.  They all have websites so access them all and see what turns up.

The point is that you shouldn’t just fly out and hope for the best.  The chances are the answers – and indeed the job – you want can be more easily found if you access the internet instead of visiting Dubai directly.

Abu Dhabi IT jobs can be found quite easily when you go online, but you will notice that most if not all of these positions do require you to have experience of some sort.

The length of experience required will depend on the company that is offering the job and what the exact position is.  For example in a recent list of Abu Dhabi IT jobs, support engineers were required to have between three and eight years of experience in that role.  IT engineers required rather less, coming in at between one and four years required for one company in particular.  In a third example, applicants for the role of a SAN administrator would only be considered if they had between five and ten years experience.

As you can see, most Abu Dhabi IT jobs do require plenty of experience.  However with that said you should always look further into every opportunity you find.  Sometimes these parameters could be issued as a guideline; if you are six months short of having the five required years and you are an outstanding candidate, you might get lucky.

Be sure that when you are looking for Abu Dhabi IT jobs, that you only look at those where you are clear on the length of employment that is being offered.  If you have any questions at all, make sure you ask them before applying.  While you can turn down an offer if need be, it is always better to know exactly where you stand before you start applying for Abu Dhabi IT jobs.

Those seeking jobs in Dubai will find that there are a number of options available to them.  Positions are available in a number of industries for those who have skills, experience and the right attitude.

Dubai telecom jobs are available at all levels and it is becoming a very competitive part of the job market. The telecoms industry is one of the fastest growing and evolving industries in the Gulf region and the skills of foreign workers are in demand.  Positions such as technology managers, developers and senior managers are regularly being advertised. 

Dubai oil jobs are also regularly advertised as this is one of the main industries of the Gulf States. Much of the world depends on a supply of oil from the region and again, the expertise of foreign workers is in demand.  For skilled and experienced workers there are large salaries on offer, along with benefits such as accommodation costs. 

Oil companies recruit for workers in all departments including financial, administration, engineering, health and safety and medical and workers may find themselves based on land or on off-shore oil rigs.

It is recommended that foreign workers apply to larger organisations.  These offer better long term prospects, more stability and are in a better position to support foreign workers as they settle into a new culture and way of life.  These organisations may use trade press, recruitment agencies or job websites to advertise for staff though many transfer existing staff internally.  Care should be taken if replying to advertisements from recruitment agencies as there are some fraudulent companies in operation. 

Many westerners are tempted by the thought of securing a job in the UAE and one of the reasons for the consistent influx of expatriates to countries like Dubai is that there is no income or property tax. Also, in many cases, the employer covers the costs of relocation, accommodation and transport (plus medical coverage) so overall the rewards are generous in comparison to many western countries.

A large number of entrepreneurs have spotted the potential in starting up a business based in the UAE. In order to do this successfully, sufficient background research is initially required to draw up a comprehensive business plan which should include prospective profit and loss forecasts and a description of the jobs that the venture will create. The UAE government is naturally willing to support any enterprise that will create new jobs and is particularly interested in diversifying its economy away from the traditional oil-based ventures, which have of course been the Middle East’s main source of wealth for many years.

To set up a business you need to have substantial legal and financial back-up, and local knowledge is also crucial. If this support is in place, along with a solid business plan, any ambitious foreigner can theoretically set up a business in one of Dubai’s 12 free trade zones (FTZs), and not be liable to pay corporation tax for at least 15 years. These FTZs (also called export processing zones or special economic zones in some countries) enable new investments and start-up businesses to get established without imposing some of the usual restrictions (such as tariffs) which would otherwise govern trading and profit.

For the past several decades, Qatar has been a leader in the petroleum, crude oil, and natural gas industries.  Qatar’s strengths in the petroleum industry have led the nation to great economic success and resulted in its booming growth as an economy.

Today, petroleum accounts for more than 70% of government income, as well as 60% of the nation’s total GDP, funding further growth of a modern infrastructure and social services.  Now the richest nation in the Muslim world, there are a great number of high paying employment opportunities within petroleum operations local to Qatar.

Qatar gas jobs extend far and wide and span across several fields.  There is a great demand across the country for engineers, information technology specialists, accounting professionals, as well as project management staff and construction workers.  Each and every work aspect of the petroleum industry is in great demand in Qatar, with the excellent compensation and benefits that come through superior business management, and a great abundance of natural oil reserves.

Whilst citizens of Qatar may feel as though their fate is sealed and that they are destined to work in the petroleum industry, it’s important to note that Qatar gas jobs mean much more than working in an oil field.  There are an abundance of opportunities all across the board, with excellent pay along the way.  The long term goals of the nation extend beyond the petroleum industry; however this is a long road that will be paved by the financial success of firstly the petroleum industry.

Abu Dhabi is the second most targeted destination for businesses and new career seekers in the Middle East.  Only Dubai is ahead where economic growth is concerned.  If you have recently accepted one of the many available jobs in Abu Dhabi, and you are relocating your family with you, there is some basic financial information you need to be aware of before making your move, especially if you have a spouse and children to consider.

First and foremost, where salaries are concerned, you will get to keep your entire pay cheque, as Abu Dhabi is a tax-free environment.  There are no minimum wage laws like there are in other countries such as the UK or the US.  Unskilled workers earn anywhere from $8 to $13 an hour, depending on the job, whereas skilled professionals are paid fixed salaries.  However, you should be aware of the fact that jobs that pay you by the hour or per week are rarely available in Abu Dhabi.  Additionally, part time jobs in Abu Dhabi are not allowed, so the idea of taking on a second job, should you be contemplating this, is out of the question.

The working day in Abu Dhabi is typically eight to nine hours long, just like in most other countries in the developed world. Fortunately, salaries are considerably better, depending on the career sector you work in, so you really shouldn’t need any additional income.

Finding jobs in Middle East countries, and especially in the Persian Gulf states of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, has never been easier thanks to the internet. There are numerous websites specialising in finding jobs in the region, from jobs in Dubai to jobs in the Emirates, and roles including Bahrain IT jobs and Dubai bank jobs as well as Dubai gas jobs and jobs in Qatar. If you have the skills that are in demand, there’ll be a job waiting for you, and it’s just a matter of finding it.

Apart from using the resources of the internet, you could sign up to one of the expos that are held regularly in major cities to recruit workers to fill roles in the Gulf States. Here, you can discuss details with a representative, submit your CV and possibly land a job on the spot.

A strong work ethic coupled with a five-day working week makes working life in the Gulf pretty similar to its equivalent in the UK, and the only real differences you’ll find will be the heat and Friday as the day of rest rather than Sunday. You’ll also certainly notice the difference in your wallet, because income is tax free, a major incentive for working there.

With a job secured before you head out you’ll be able to sort out your temporary residency permit before arriving, which entitles you to reside and work there for the duration of your contract or permanent job.

As an IT professional looking for new opportunities, or maybe just looking for any IT job, you could do far worse than considering Dubai. This Persian Gulf state has a wealth of IT jobs on offer, and the relatively high quality of life coupled with tax-free earnings and fantastic weather make it a hot spot for those with the right skill sets.

Specialising in IT, you’ll probably find yourself working in Dubai Internet City, one of Dubai’s Free Trade Zones. Others include Healthcare City and Dubai Media City, each of them specialising in a particular industry sector.

With a normal working day of eight hours, five days a week, it’s not much different to the UK except that Friday and Saturday are the days off, and living expenses are roughly the same.

Job opportunities in IT are also pretty similar to elsewhere, with Oracle and Java high on the popularity list, along with SAP and C++.

The employment opportunities for Dubai IT jobs can easily be brought up on a standard internet search of what’s available in Internet City. Once you’ve honed it down to a few agencies, simply get in touch and submit your CV with a covering letter.

You could also check out the local press in Dubai online, and attend a few of the expos regularly set up by Gulf state recruiters.

Sort out the job and the visa situation before leaving, and soon you could be working just as hard as back home but reaping significant rewards in terms of weather, income and lifestyle that you only formerly dreamed about.

The Middle East continues to be a hotspot for business and economic growth, enticing numerous firms and career seekers to this region.  There are certain areas in the Middle East that are attracting more attention than others, including; Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.  For the most part, the most actively growing business and career sectors are the banking and finance, construction, healthcare, IT and telecommunication industries.  However, many secondary sectors such as media and management are also witnessing significant growth.

If you are searching online for the right job in the Middle East, you do have to exercise some caution, as there are scammers out there that could cost you a lot of money.  Stick with applying to the more established, larger firms when filing your applications online.  These companies typically provide more long-term, secure employment opportunities and usually pay higher salaries.  Just be aware of the fact that the job market in the Middle East, especially in those areas mentioned above, has become extremely competitive in certain career sectors.

The firms in the Middle East which are consistently offering career opportunities will be looking for higher quality professionals to fill the positions available.  So it is important that your CV or resume be as accurate and professional looking as possible.  After all, that CV or resume is what gives the prospective employer their first impression of you.  Additionally, you should also compose a professional covering letter that emphasises your qualifying skills and your relative work experience.

The Persian Gulf states of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE have undergone unprecedented growth over recent years, and the booming economy has attracted skilled workers from all over the world. They come not only for better career opportunities and a higher quality of life, but for the tax-free income they can expect to earn whilst there, and of course the great weather.

Whether you’re interested in Dubai gas jobs, Dubai bank jobs, Abu Dhabi IT jobs or Bahrain IT jobs, or any of numerous other vacancies, jobs in the Middle East and jobs in the Emirates have a lot to offer.

Do a Google search on any of the hundreds of recruitment websites on the internet specialising in the Gulf, and you’ll be surprised at just how much is available. Narrow your search down to agencies dealing with your particular skill set and you could be well on the way to a new life in the Gulf.

With a working day of eight hours and a strong work ethic, working in the Gulf is not too different from working in the UK in a similar capacity, although Friday and Saturday constitute the weekend and it’s a wee bit warmer.

Jobs in Gulf States are many and varied, and you need to get a job and sort out visa requirements before leaving home. Your employer will sponsor you with the government and then it’s a simple matter to procure a temporary residency permit, allowing you to stay and work there.