So, you want to move to Dubai? Well, you are not alone.
Anyone who has been trying to secure a job in Dubai over the past couple years will have quickly discovered it has become an incredibly competitive landscape.
As a seasoned Dubai recruiter with over 13 years of UAE experience, I want to offer some tips and tricks to putting your best foot forward and avoiding some big clangers along the way!
As with many other parts of the world, hiring managers and recruiters in Dubai are out to find the very best applicant for that specific position.
To be clear, employers in Dubai typically hire people for three key reasons;
1. To solve a problem
2. To make more profit
3. A combination of both
Hiring managers in Dubai are thinking ‘who is the best candidate that I can find to solve this problem or capitalise on this opportunity?'
They don’t really care that ‘you are ready for a new challenge and would like to move to Dubai’. They have zero interest ‘that you are a Senior Leader with 20 years of experience’.
They most likely have no clue about the company you currently work for, pioneering or otherwise.
These things do not make you unique.
What hiring managers in Dubai really want to know is that you are the solution to their problem.
Firstly, figure out if there is a demand for your skills in the geography that you are interested in.
Be aware that prevalent roles that exist elsewhere in the world might simply not exist in Dubai.
For example, in Technology the proximity to India means that a large portion of day-to-day tech ops roles are simply off-shored.
This is something that you need to understand before you begin your Dubai job search.
Once you have established that there is indeed a demand for someone with your skills and experience, you should start costing up the move.
The actual cost of a move to Dubai is based largely on your own, individual circumstances.
Certain elements of your unique situation will have a big impact.
How old your kids are, which school you would like them to attend, the size of property you would need to rent or buy, the location where you would like to live, will you buy or rent a car, your social life and general lifestyle.
The list goes on.
There are some great websites that will help you gauge what you can anticipate your immediate outgoings to be. You should note that some of these can be upfront payments, and contrary to popular belief are often not covered by your employer.
Numbeo is a cost of living comparison website.
The KHDA website will help you to understand education costs.
Expat Woman is a free and friendly expat guide to living in Dubai.
Al Futtaim Automall will help you to buy or sell a used vehicle.
Propertyfinder.ae is the largest real estate website in the UAE with a wide range of residential lettings.
So by now, you should have an rough idea of the income your household will need in order to maintain (or preferably improve) your standard of living.
If I had a dirham every time someone approaches me for roles in the Middle East but insists on being based in Dubai, I would be rich!
This narrow focus is extremely limiting when you are looking for a role. Dubai has a population of 3.6 million people. This is the same size as Berlin, Los Angeles and a million people more than Birmingham in the UK.
By looking for jobs in Dubai only, you are limiting yourself to a single city. Don't forget, people from all over the world are looking for job vacancies in Dubai, this makes it extremely competitive.
Don't forget, Dubai is not a ‘country’. Dubai is an Emirate which belongs to the country of United Arab Emirates. The capital of which is Abu Dhabi which is 1hr 30 minutes drive away. Not far at all.
This means if you really must be based in Dubai, then why not consider Abu Dhabi or the other Emirates too? Sharjah, Fujairah and Al Ain are just a few examples.
But also, what about the other GCC countries? Many of which are 1-2 hours flight away from Dubai and you can easily travel to Dubai on the weekend for a short vacation.
Bahrain: Bahrain is the original trading hub of the Middle East. Home to the most mature, established and dynamic financial center in the Gulf Cooperation Council. If it is good enough for Steven Gerrard then why not you?
Saudi Arabia: Saudi is where it is all happening at the moment. Unparalleled transformation happening right before our very eyes in a vast country of untouched beauty.
Kuwait: This is one of the of the world's richest countries per capita. An authentic Arabic country with a thriving traditional expatriate community.
Oman: One of the oldest, continuously independent and culturally rich states in the Arab world. Great scuba diving and a nice laidback pace of life.
Dubai is a fantastic place to live and work, that's why so many people are searching for jobs in this small city. However, if tax-free earnings and an international opportunity are top of your list of desires, why not consider the surrounding locations?
By thinking a little outside of the Dubai box you'll open yourself up to a whole host of opportunities. Suddenly your job search becomes less competitive and a lot more realistic.
Don’t close doors on these places before you have done your research and certainly don’t believe everything you read online.
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