Jobs in Dubai of all varieties are well paid, competitive, and rewarding. With the dramatic surge in Dubai’s economy, companies are hungry for talented, hard-working employees, and compete fiercely for the best talent.
Regardless of what sort of job in Dubai you’re looking for, there will be an article here to give you an idea of the job expectations, ideal salaries and logistics of the job. Industry in and around Dubai is growing at a rapid rate, and there are plenty of employment opportunities available. Companies in Dubai have strong demand for talented employees, and are willing to offer excellent payment packages to the right staff.
Have a look around and you will be able to find Electrician Jobs in Dubai, Paramedic Jobs in Dubai, Medical Jobs, Banking jobs, jobs in Finance, jobs in Accounting, Engineering, Construction and Teaching, all waiting for the right person to fill the position.
No matter whether you are looking for short term employment, full time employment, or even employment on a fixed contract, you should find all the information you need to work in Dubai right here. Let’s have a look at some of the common attributes jobs in Dubai have, how to go about finding the best job for you, and what you should know about the culture of work, remuneration and negotiation that happens in the Dubai job market.
Finding A Job In Dubai
Dubai is one of the world’s fastest-modernising cities. It is growing at a phenomenal rate, and even with hiccups in the global economy slowing down some of the more ambitious projects, there is still a mind-boggling amount of growth and work in Dubai.
Employers in Dubai are relentlessly after the best. Dubai is increasingly a shining jewel in the world of business, transport, and technology. With Dubai’s government making it attractive for companies to hold themselves there, and an infrastructure system that is rapidly being able to compete with Japan, Korea, Europe and the US in terms of accessibility and resources, it’s not surprising that the job market is both intensely competitive and very well rewarded. Companies want the best, and when you’re in Dubai it doesn’t pay to stint on getting the best.
Despite this increasing modernisation, some elements of the job market in Dubai remain almost antiquated in their approach. You need to make sure you understand these elements in order to succeed at job hunting in Dubai. Most employers that make their hiring decisions internally – without an international HR branch, that is – do so in the ‘Dubai style’, which, as I’ll go over momentarily, is more about contacts and genuine networking than about direct hiring of talent.
You must remember that although the approaches and practices of Dubai employers are still very traditional, the their adaptation of technology is almost peerless. Don’t confuse an old practice with an unnecessary one or something that you can gloss over.
Job hunting in Dubai is all about relationships. You must have aptitude for the job, of course: when the entire world is looking to you to provide high-paying, high-reward work, you’re going to be competing against the best. So make sure your resume is up to scratch, your references impeccable and your ability to do the work is unquestionable.
What you need to start doing is pounding pavement. In person is ideal, but getting to Dubai can be a bit of a challenge for many people – the country is expensive to live in, especially if you’re not working, and visas can be hard to come by.
Probably more productive is contacting people in the industry directly, using whatever non-intrusive options are open to you. Hunt down HR people and managers within the companies you’d like to work for, take them to lunch, and talk about the industry. See if they know of anywhere that’s likely to be hiring. You need to tread carefully here: coming cross as desperate or pushy is going to shoot yourself in the foot. You need to be able to sell yourself, but genuinely try and have their companies’ best interests in heart. Everybody wants a good job, not everybody is committed to being a good employee. Make yourself the latter and your intentions will be noticed.
Seek to put your foot in the door everywhere. Don’t just try applying for jobs online; most of the jobs in Dubai are filled by word of mouth an private appointment, just like everywhere else in the world. Getting to know people working in your industry can really help. Genuinely try and assist people where you can. Build a reputation internationally – slowly, if needs be – as a person who’s good to know, friendly, available, and follow through on commitments made to others.
If a move to Dubai is in along-term commitment for you, considering widening your ‘opening position’ – the jobs you’re willing to take to get yourself established in Dubai. Remember that when you’re considering your pay range in Dubai, that the income is entirely tax free. In addition, well-paying jobs in Dubai (anything above middle management level of remuneration – project management, high-level Engineering work, consultation, etc should all pay a better-than-comfortable wage in Dubai, even at lower levels of seniority.
Because of the importance of building a reputation ‘on the ground’, unless you’re well connected internationally, is of paramount importance. Even if you can get yourself a short contract, a stint of 3 months popping into and out of Dubai will still give you plenty of evenings to meet other people in your field, socialise – if you’re not going out to dinners and parties regularly, you need to take drastic steps to de-isolate yourself – and network appropriately.
Dubai and professional relationships are all about deep, long friendships. This is just the way things are done in the Middle East, so adjusting yourself to taking a 5, 10 or even 15-year horizon in your dealings is ideal. Even if there’s not a job for you in a company now, it’s likely that the same people will be making similar decisions in two or three contract cycle’s time. Keeping on their radar will not only serve you with genuine friendship over time, but may open opportunities down the track.
Your reputation is your most valuable asset in dealing with the Dubai employment market. If it’s tarnished, then work on fixing it however possible. Make restitution with any enemies you have, keeping them isn’t worth it.
Negotiating Jobs In Dubai
So let’s get clear: there’s about a 95% chance you’re going to be working on contract. Part of that experience will be the negotiation of contracts.
Now, don’t immediately start whipping out books on ‘how to negotiate aggressively’ and ‘how to sell yourself’ just yet. THat’s not how things are going to go. The higher paying your position, and the more powerful the responsibility, the more flexibility in your contract. Rather than taking a head-on, potentially confrontational approach to ‘hammering out’ a deal like is common in Europe and the States, contract negotiation in the UAE is a little more subtle.
Expect a great deal of circumlocutions and generalised discussions, especially if you’re going for a re-negotiation. The same things that you would expect will be discussed – performance, expectations, conditions. There are clauses worked into Dubai labour laws that guarantee certain things for overseas workers. Usually your employer will be responsible for arranging your visas and travel to and from the country. Because of a quirk of legality, you often cannot stay in Dubai if you’re renewing your contract, and must leave the country for a certain period before returning with a fresh commitment. This applies even if you’re working for the same employer doing the same job – it’s just how the visa system works.
There is always going to be a chance to sell your abilities and aim for the highest remuneration possible. But don’t get caught up in going for the biggest dollar figure. The opportunities for subsidised accommodation, food expenses, a company car and so forth all outweigh gleaming the last few thousand dollars out of a bracketed range.
if you can, check in with what your contemporaries are doing in terms of packages. Renting real estate in Dubai can be phenomenally expensive, so if you can get subsidised or covered accommodation consider it worth striving for. Less useful but still potentially lucrative are food allowances and a company car, so see if you can wrangle either of these.
We hope you enjoy the website, and find more specific information relating to your particular field of expertise’s job opportunities in Dubai. Good hunting!
