John Tinsley : Money Matters

It can take two to three months to obtain a residence visa for Saudi Arabia.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom must issue authorisation to the applicant’s sponsor in the country. 

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.

When it comes to finding the right job in Dubai based on your experience and expertise, there are several steps that you should take in order to find the best post at the best salary. 

So what is it that has made Dubai such an enticing destination for businesses and new employees? There are four elements responsible for Dubai’s growth in popularity with both businesses and job seekers:

- Government projects and systems that have enhanced the local economy
- Ongoing development of the business and residential community
- Quality of life
- Work standards

For the past two decades now, dating back to the early 1990’s, we have seen a steady growth pattern where international employment and residencies are concerned.  The economic growth in the Middle East has been mostly driven by the gas and oil industries.  However, the following career sectors have been witnessing the growth of job opportunities and new business, making it easier for the qualified professional to find a job in Dubai:

- Automobile
- Banking
- Construction
- Education
- Engineering
- Hospitality
- Infrastructure
- IT and Telecommunications
- Real-estate
- Tourism

It is recommended that you begin searching online because of the numerous career posting sites available for jobs in Dubai.  Start by searching the largest companies who have been in business in Dubai the longest.  The benefit to the job seeker is that these companies tend to offer better salaries and more secure employment.  Make sure that your CV or resume is current and that you also attach a cover letter to your online job application.

Whether you are applying for a telecom job in the United Arab Emirates, an IT job in Saudi Arabia, or an oil industry job in Dubai, your CV is one of the most important parts of your employment search. It is the first impression a potential employer has of you, and in order to land jobs in Middle Eastern countries you need to have a perfect CV on file, ready to impress those companies enough to call you in for an interview and set you up with a work visa.

When looking at jobs in Middle East countries, it is vitally important that your work details are up to date on your CV. In addition, your CV must clearly and concisely provide full details regarding how to contact you, including your full name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and so on and so forth. In addition, companies in Middle Eastern countries are looking for professionals, so if your email address is something cheesy like hotspice@randomplz.com or something similar, you will want to change it to something more professional. Remember, most of the jobs in Middle East countries are related to technology and management, so it is important to maintain a professional appearance at all times.

If you do not think you are capable of writing your own CV to land a job in the Middle East, you can always hire a professional CV writer to put together your information in a manner which will help you find employment as soon as possible. No matter what type of job in the Middle East you are after, your CV is just as important there as anywhere else.

Finding jobs in Middle Eastern countries is actually easier than finding jobs at home for many individuals living in Western countries. Unlike the Western world with its economic depression and recession continuing to go on, the Middle East is growing at a rapid pace, and companies around the region are looking for professionals to work in the oil industry, finance, media, engineering and many other areas. The potential pool of employees for jobs in the Middle East is global, so while there are a wide variety of opportunities the competition is also fairly stiff, and knowing how to compete can mean the difference between landing a job or not.

Your skills and credentials set you apart from the rest of the pack, regardless of which jobs in Middle Eastern countries you are applying for. Employers are looking for those with specific sets of skills to set them apart from local candidates. This is why they are willing to pay you – the foreigner – a higher rate of pay. They need to know that you are a manageable employee who will follow company rules and procedures to the letter. The last thing any company wants is the lone wolf type who cannot take instructions and instead focuses only on performing in his own little area. Looking for a job in a Middle Eastern country means you need to be a team player on a multinational team, and you need to be able to work with a wide variety of people with different viewpoints on life in general.

If you are currently being paid on a weekly basis you need to be prepared for a change if you are looking for jobs in the UAE.  This is because wages for jobs UAE are typically paid on a monthly salary basis.  You will find this to be no problem if you currently get paid monthly anyway, but those who are paid more often need to prepare for the idea of going for four weeks without any money coming in.

The best way to cope with this is to start saving in advance several months before you intend to make the move to the United Arab Emirates.  Work out what your average monthly outgoings will be and try and put by at least that amount.  Jobs UAE pay different amounts according to the expertise required and the seniority of the role.  Many people earn around 2,000 to 4,000 dirhams every month.  Make sure you convert your current salary into dirhams to get an idea of the exchange rate and how it will affect you during those first few essential weeks.

Once you are over the challenge of the first month and you have received your first payment for your position, you will be able to plan ahead for the coming month.  After a while you will become familiar with getting paid monthly instead of weekly, and you will learn to budget your money accordingly.  But there is definitely a lot to be said for starting your financial planning before you arrive in the UAE.

Jobs in the Gulf are not for everybody.  First of all, a potential applicant needs to be sure that they really want to work in this region and are prepared to adapt to a new culture and way of life. There are restrictions on foreign workers and regulations on travelling, alcohol and other things that those in the west take for granted.  If you are happy to live with these restrictions then that is a good start.

It is important to focus your job search on what you want to achieve.  Do not apply for any and all jobs just because you might be able to do them and it takes you abroad.  Employers recruiting foreign workers have to sponsor those they employ, paying relocation and visa fees and want to be sure they are hiring the best person for the job.  Do not apply for Gulf jobs if you do not fit the job specification exactly.  Target the jobs that best suit your qualifications and experience.

The next step applies to all those job hunting, no matter where in the world they want to be.  It is necessary to have an up to date CV which can be emailed to recruitment agencies; you should be registered on gulf jobs websites and send your CV to potential employers as soon as you see the vacancy advertised.  For Gulf jobs, the CV is your best chance to make a good first impression as you cannot just pop along to the company for an interview at a moment’s notice.

One career path that offers many opportunities for jobs in Saudi Arabia is teaching.  Jobs in Saudi Arabia cover many different career choices, but for men at least the wealth of positions available in the country is quite appealing.  As far as women are concerned the easiest way to get a job in Saudi Arabia in the teaching profession is if their husband is already working there and is resident in the country.

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.

Working in a foreign country is a big experience.  Not only are you starting a new job, you also have to get used to working in a new location and living in a different country as well.

Jobs Saudi Arabia means you have to accept a whole new set of circumstances to get used to and live in.  If you want to devote yourself to your work and save plenty of money for the future, Saudi Arabia can help you do that.  Since nightclubs and many other similar venues do not exist in Saudi Arabia you will not have many places to spend your excess cash.

Working in Saudi Arabia is certainly good for job experience.  But you may not be suited to staying out there for any length of time.  A good way to start with jobs Saudi Arabia is by focusing on temporary work that lasts for a few months.  This gives you the experience you need while leaving open the possibility of returning home afterwards if you no longer want to stay there.

Working abroad can be exciting in many ways; a job in Saudi Arabia offers a learning curve that is for the most part exciting to follow.  But be realistic about how you will fit into the life that Saudi’s live.  You must abide by their rules and ensure that you are happy with the contract you sign before you take any job there.  A little care taken in advance will smooth the way for you.

The State of Qatar juts out from the coast of Saudi Arabia into the Persian Gulf with Doha the capital city housing about 80% of the population. Being on a flat sandy plain, Qatar has few topographical features.  A few hills, west and central, and some stunning sand dunes in the southeast are of interest.  No perennial rivers or lakes exist in Qatar.

The climate of course is quite like other desert countries: very hot summers but somewhat more temperate winter months.  

The discovery of oil around 1939 changed this country into an immensely rich nation.  From depending upon fishing and pearls Qatar was catapulted into being a nation that has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

This fabulous piece of fortune brought great success to its current ruling elite, the Al Thani family, and indeed all the citizens of Qatar. Jobs are guaranteed, college education is free, citizens pay no income tax, health and government services are free; Qatar could be described as a complete welfare state.

This good fortune extends also to expatriates seeking jobs in Qatar. Qatar oil jobs, Qatar gas jobs and Qatar IT jobs are listed by corporations and recruiters offering jobs in Qatar. Look also at Gulf jobs and jobs in the Middle East for employment opportunities.

If attracted to employment as an expatriate in Qatar oil jobs and Qatar gas jobs you will find a community of other foreign workers already in jobs in Qatar. Doha offers many amenities; the Grand Mosque, Entertainment City and the national aquarium and museum draw many visitors.

When you decide to look for jobs in UAE you have more than just a job to think about.  You will be moving to another country altogether if you are successful in your search, so you have to think about where you are going to live too.

Some companies providing jobs in UAE have schemes in place that provide you with housing as well as a position within their company.  This is by far the easiest route to finding everything you need, since you will not have to do a property search as well as a job search.

In many instances companies provide housing complexes that all their expat workers stay in.  Sometimes these are offered free of charge, which obviously means you will be able to save more of your income for other things.  You will also be close to other people from abroad who are getting used to jobs in UAE and living in another country as well, so you can share your experiences.

One thing you do need to bear in mind if you are going to find your own property is that renting often requires several months to be paid for in one go before you move in.  Some landlords require a year in advance.  If you are working on a shorter contract it may be better to find alternative accommodation so you don’t have to pay for more than you need.  Always check the market carefully to see whether you have the best housing for your needs.