Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Working in Dubai

I'm trying to move to Dubai, and an employer in my field recruited me for a job that sounds appealing. They asked my current and expected salaries. I told them my salary, added 30% (as I've read that they will haggle you down aggressively), and told them I'd like that as my base salary, + housing, transport, etc. My current salary is already very high for what I do here in the US, although I'm at the top company in my field, and, frankly, I'm very good at what I do.

Anyway, I haven't heard from them since. Granted it hasn't been very long but still, I suspect I may not.

Have I scared them away?

First make sure you actually want to come and live here and not just believe everything you saw in the glossy pictures of that travel brochure. Come down on a visit first and see and experience everything first hand.

From net forums and personal interactions its the Americans who have the most difficult time adjusting here, some are petty i.e why this place has no left turn ( Still don't get the obession with Americans and their left turns, apprently seems to be a big deal, LOL ) not enough coverage of NFL and NASCAR and some are genuine.

Just don't look at the dollar figure. Dubai is a pretty expensive city and there isn't really that much to do, specially in the summer months.

And the end of the day it depends on you and how you take it, if your the one who will complain 24/7 of how things are the way they were back home than no where other than home is a good place to be, but if your the type to takes in everything as a learning experience and with an open mind, then it could be for you.

But first make 100% sure as in what your getting into. Not just non taxable dollars, this place has plenty of taxes only they are labled as fees and charges here.

DDS,

Thanks for the response. I guess I should have been clearer and more in-depth about my motivations. I definitely know what I'm getting into, have traveled around the UAE, have family there, etc.

I grew up in NJ -- no left turns there, either. And you won't see me crying over NASCAR. No, I am looking specifically for a different cultural experience, for better and for worse.

The money factor for me is not WHY I want to move out there. However, I have been very fortunate in my career so far, and I am trying to ensure that if I do move back to the States at some point, I am able to continue along my job path without having these years count against me. The clearest indication a future prospective employer will have of my stature at work is my earnings history, so I want to keep it consistent with what I've been doing. The cost of living, salary, etc. is not something I'm worried about from a personal perspective, I just want to make sure I can pick up where I left off if I decide to make another change in the future.

And for what it's worth, we're category A people -- not desperate for money by any stretch. We are not looking for a gravy train, just don't want to be penalized later on for having sought out the different culture and lifestyle that you and your fellow expats enjoy!

Anyway, I asked my aunt, who works at NYUAD, what she thought of my expected salary pitch and she said she thought it was fair, I probably didn't scare them off. We'll see, I'll keep you posted! Meanwhile, I'm gonna keep applying for other jobs!

Thanks!

Hi Candyrider.

I'm from NY and have always worked in NYC. I've been in Dubai for over 14 years - not by choice, but because my husband is Arab and we thought it would be a good place to jumpstart his career as the industry he works in is very "blonde hair/blue eyed". We never thought we would be here as long as we have been and foresee outselves being here for quite some time because hubby has been very successful. I miss NY terribly for many reasons, and I miss the States for the freedoms that are in place.

As an American I can tell you that everyone who comes to Dubai is not here for the purpose of making more money - as was the case with my husband and I, although there is nothing wrong with that, but some come because it is the only job they can find, some because it is a good place to raise children (although in my opinion the education is not of high standards), company transfer, etc. This would also apply to other nationalities. I'm sure that most Americans, along with other nationalities, that have been here long term probably didn't expect to be here as long as they have. I will also say that many, many people are living paycheck to paycheck and are in debt. Two reasons: living beyond their means and the economic downturn had alot to do with it. Some people have said that they were better off before coming to Dubai.

The grass is not always greener on the other side. Dubai has its pluses and minuses, as does everywhere. As a single woman I don't know if you would find it as "thrilling" as you may think, nor as cultural as you may hope it to be. As for experiencing the culture, to be frank, nationalities tend to form their individual communities. The culture of the Emiratis has been diluted tremendously. It is a cosmopolitan tourist city.

I understand how your salary potential would factor in on your career growth, but would having Dubai on your resume hinder or improve your chances within your field when you return to the States? An international named company certainly would not hurt. If you know some executives ask them what they would think about hiring someone who left the states, for say 3 years, and worked in Dubai and was looking to return to the states. If you do relocate, set a "sell by date" - meaning when you plan to leave.

You would also have to continue to file a tax return and pay federal tax over and above the allowance, which is somewhere around 85-90,000USD (somewhere around that figure). You would also have to pay medicaid and SS regardless of your income. Your income would be comprised of your base salary along with any additional income - housing, travel allowance, etc. You will in all probability need a car as well has having to furnish an apartment. There are several points that you would need to be aware of when negotiating a contract: among them, will the company provide a ticket for you to get to Dubai; have your goods shipped at company expense and what the terms would be when you complete your contract or if you are on an unlimited contract and want to return to the states, will they pay your return and ship your goods as well?

Work environment here is very, very different. It took me a while to figure out that I was in overdrive compared to everyone else who was coasting along in first gear - so I had to slow down and stop having high expectations!!! There are very few employment laws to protect employees here. You may work for a company that will tell you that they need to hold your passport. We were asked that only once and my husband told them: absolutely not!!!

If you live here, the way you live at home, you will save money. There are a ton of great restaurants to explore. There are things to do - fun things, which would not be a weekly thing. Shopping is rubbish - except for jewelry . Depending on your needs, it can be very expensive.

I would suggest that you look at Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the UAE and the financial center and is growing and overtaking Dubai and may, in time, look better on a CV than Dubai. One good thing that you have in your favor is that you have family here. It makes a big difference.

If you do a search on DF you may find answers to some other questions. Most important, please learn about the laws of the country. Do your homework and research Dubai.

Good luck to you and if you have any more questions, ask away!!!

BTW, I met someone on a plane to NY who was involved in the set up of the university. Lovely person.

Thanks, BB, for the incredibly in-depth reply. I can totally identify with what you're saying about not having expected to be in Dubai for so long. I certainly never anticipated being in New York as long as I have, and my aunt and her family in AD I think went as a sort of experiment and now the kids have grown up there and no one has any desire to leave. I keep worrying about what will happen when we return to the US, and my husband keeps reminding me that we might never want to!

As far as culture, a big part of that I think will not come from living in Dubai itself but in having more vacation time and a choice of travel destinations beyond the Caribbean and Mexico, like we do now. I've traveled internationally extensively, but on 15 days vacation a year I don't make it to Europe or the Middle East or Asia or Africa as often as my friends who live outside of the Americas. That's a huge part of the appeal. And I'm not exactly looking for the Se.x and the City experience, either, as I'm very much a family woman at the ripe age of 26 (and married without kids or plans for kids).
As far as feeling at home, my only sibling is also looking for jobs in Dubai/ AD. And if all the kids are gone, my dad (single parent) is planning to pack up and join us.

Anyway, I'm getting a little off track, since this is supposed to be about jobs. So let me be more blunt. I am a supervisor at the most well-respected company in my industry. My job is half technical, half creative. I've been here for almost 4 years, since I finished my masters at a top school in the field. My annual salary is $120,000 US. In response to this prospective employer's questionnaire, about a job that is higher ranking than my current job, I said the salary I'd request is $160,000 + housing, transport, etc.
Is that too outlandish? Even just as a negotiating starting point?

If I stay, I will find myself making that within a few years. If I go, it absolutely will be hindrance to my career. Dubai is not well known in my field, and only 2 major MNCs operate there and they have super-small branches and no need for me. So I would most likely be working at a much, much smaller, much lesser-known organization than the one I'm at know. This is what I think would cost me opportunities upon my return.

BB, you mention a couple of really great ideas, both about negotiating a contract and about setting a date to leave if it's not going to boost my career. It's definitely, definitely not. I am doing this for lifestyle reasons first and foremost: not to get rich or advance my professional life. I'm just trying to hedge my bets and not throw the other two concepts out the window in order to live by the beach in sunshine!

Thanks so much!

PS - one other thing that is slightly relevant: I'm third-generation Arab American and speak the language.

You keep talking about your job and field of work but never mention what it is ? Without that piece of information its pretty much almost impossible to say anything.

I haven't seen many expat 26 year old making that kind of money plus benfits, so its totally impossible to gauge. Unless its something highly specialised, rare and you have tons of experience in it. I don't think so.

But again almost impossible to say without knowing your occupation from your description you could be anything from a plumber to a rocket scientist

Fair point, DDS. I'm trying not to give away too much specific information. But also it feels erroneous to peg my situation to my field, because the field is in the gutter generally speaking, but there are still opportunities and I'm at the top of my game. I'm in media.

You probably haven't seen many 26 yr old non-expats making what I make either (I haven't, other than my co-workers).

If your at the top of your game, then I suggest you stay put. Put in another 3 to 5 years and then re evalute the situation.

Boooo... I wanted someone to say, "screw your career, you're so young. come enjoy life here and stop getting worked up about work!"

candyrider wrote:Boooo... I wanted someone to say, "screw your career, you're so young. come enjoy life here and stop getting worked up about work!"

I wanted to but didn't want to trash your topic

Ha, thanks! Well, good to know someone thinks it's possible.

Legal secretaries in the States - working overtime (without putting in killer hours) can pull in $120,000!!!

Since you will be a two-income family you can live very well, even if you take a cut in salary to get your foot in the door. Regardless how high you are with regard to being at the top of your game, your age may be a factor - possibly even in the States with a healthy market. You will have to prove yourself if you get a job. Once having done so, you can move on to another company if the company you work for doesn't reward you for your abilities and contributions.

Look, you are young, no children, so I would say give it a go. If it doesn't work out you can always move on. I am a believer that even if something goes wrong, you always walk away with lessons that you can apply to the next experience. Logistically you will be able to visit many countries and experience various cultures. That in itself is a wonderful experience and could open up other options for you.

As well as speaking Arabic, do you also read and write proficiently?

I've sent you a PM.

Update: they indeed said that the salary I proposed was beyond their reach. No counter-offer. I wrote back to ask, out of curiosity and to help my job search going forward, what they were expecting to pay. No answer yet, and I might not get one at all.

BUT: the good news is that this was by no means my top-choice organization, aaaaand I got a bite! On a line I put out to my preferred company. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Im not sure what crossing fingers will do to you besides giving you discomfort, but ok.

Candy i just returned after 4 yrs in dxb. i went over for the adventure and to see the world, i'm just a few years older than you but the experience was well worth it. although i am glad to be back in the states, the job market has taken a huge hit from when i first went out there in 07. if you can find a decent job, i would recommend going.