Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

Hi all,

I hope you don't mind me asking I’ve done some reading through the forums just to get a general idea on what’s going on, and as I thought there is a wealth of information here some of you guys go out on a limb to help people who are about to go through the pressure cooker of relocating.

I’ve a few questions really that I want to ask about moving to Dubai to work, I’m working in the IS industry at quite a high level, my skill set is quite sort after in the UK so I’m hoping that might be the case in Dubai. I’ve been told (from someone who visited Dubai) that from an employer’s point of view, I would only stand a chance of gaining employment if I was resident in Dubai and that being in the UK would work against me, is this true?

I’m not looking to make the jump until April next year due a few more exams to do but I think after a visit this year and then a vacation next year to Dubai, our hearts are set on moving there, but I would rather be it in employment terms, so my other question (if it wasn’t answered in the first) is how often would employee’s look to outside Dubai, and is it a fantasy to think that simply handing out my CV to agency’s would be enough to gain employment there?

One other question as well, hopefully to someone who’s native to Dubai, how are foreigners viewed at working in Dubai? I’ve working in many places around the world, I’ve always been and felt welcome, I just wanted to know if it’s a good thing or bad thing from the eyes of the local people that so many wish to work in Dubai, I know, a strange question, but I felt I had to ask..

Thank you very much in advance,

POLO

no bad questions at all.. i'm a little tight for time this am, so will try to expand on it later.

dubai = cosmopolatan. there are more expatriates in the uae than local uae nationals! there are some 200 odd nationalities represented in the local schools. that's my expat opinion - there are however some uae nationals who post on the forum as well.

visit first before you make up your mind. keep an open mind during your visit, and dig a little deeper. there is a lot of superficiality to dubai, and unless you are specifically looking for it it can take you months before you come to this realisation.

more... later

I’ve a few questions really that I want to ask about moving to Dubai to work, I’m working in the IS industry at quite a high level, my skill set is quite sort after in the UK so I’m hoping that might be the case in Dubai. I’ve been told (from someone who visited Dubai) that from an employer’s point of view, I would only stand a chance of gaining employment if I was resident in Dubai and that being in the UK would work against me, is this true?

this is not necissarily the case, large multi-nationals will often try to source the right person for the position first internally, then locally and then internationally. it's all got to do with filling the position as cost effectively as possible; if the skill is available locally (at the right standard) then they company stands to save expensive agents fees, relocation costs etc.. in addition a locally recruited person has what they term here "local knowledge" which is basically how things work (so there is less orientation time), where to find things, how to find his way arround, already has a drivers license and possibly his own car. dubai is not the same as the uk and things work slightly different here - a person recruited from the area is expected to already know the basics ... like i said, i think it really boils down to orientation and local work experience..

frankly, your chances are higher to get recruited for a job if you are already in the country (even if its on a visit visa); the downside is that you are under financial pressure to sustain yourself during your visit, and may be forced to jump at the first offer out of necessity reather than because its the right position for you.

sorry just meant to add "resident in Dubai" - i assume resident as in the sense of here and not resident as in the sense of "residence visa"???

dbxsoul,

First, let me say thank you for you time and your reply, I think what you've said highlights what I was thinking, but still you've managed to put together more for me to think about. I guess since time isn't a factor I could use from now until then to target any corperations who might be willing to relocate me, however slim that chance may seem at the moment, and then also visit so I can get the chance to feel of how things seem on the ground there.

I'll also register with some agencies maybe whiel i'm there, since time isn't a constricting factor at the moment i can work on building up knowledge on all the requirements needed such as you point Driving Licence, paper work, etc etc..

Thank you once again dbxsoul,

Best regards,

POLO

hi again, i think you nailed it. if your skill-set is in such demand target the companies that you would like to work for.
many of the it companys are located in the "internet city" free zone (ibm, microsoft etc..) - the free zone is on-line and the resident companies listed in thier directory as a starting point

personally i wouldn't put much store in less than four agencies here, the rest are just out to screw you and take your money - yes most of them ask a "registration fee" - which is different to the uk, where the employer pays the agency commision.

have a look at some of the threads regarding recruitment agencies as they will explain which ones to stay away from. don't register with any "on-line" brokers as you will never see your money again and are more likily to fall pregnant than getting a decent job posting out of them.