Ilford_or_Dubai

Hi All, I am a new member so go easy on me!!

Been reading the forum over the last couple of days and think this is awesome! – started reading the marathon “living in al-lain” thread too LOL

I am looking for work in Dubai/AD – still early days in my job search – building bridges with recruiters via LinkedIn and planning to get on the phone in the next couple of weeks… I would be happy if I can find something in the next three months…

My background is 10+ experience, qualified accountant with telecom industry specialism (BT, Vodafone and few more…) I have few questions if I may;

1) I believe if I do my basics right; I will find something in the next three months. Is it fair to think three months job hunt is sufficient or does it take longer? I am connecting with recruiters and also writing directly to HR communities in the companies I am targeting… I know individual cases differ; any views appreciated…

2) If the above doesn’t work; planning to move to UAE on holiday visa early next year for couple of months looking for work – does it boost my chances of securing a job and do people take this route/risk at all?

3) Finally, any accountants in this forum; preferable working in the telecom (media/technology) sector?

Many thanks for reading and taking time to reply!!

Ilford_or_Dubai

80+ views and no replies at all?

northbadawi

No country for impatient men

scrubbedexpat141

Don't expect anything out of recruiters if you're going to plenty of companies directly.

Being on the ground out here would make things far easier, I suggest;

1. Spend 10 days sending CV's to companies
2. In that time follow up calls
3. Plan a 7-10 day trip out here and tell them all that you're doing it
4. Schedule some interviews

That's what my Mrs did as a teacher after being fobbed off by loads of people and got a job on her second to last day out here.

I got my job by being asked to come out by an old boss.

Do you know anyone out here in your field?

Has Linkedin thrown up any useful contacts that you'd forgotten about?

Get on the job boards and apply to relevant roles, then follow up. Might be with recruiters or might be direct.

Keep your salary expectations realistic. I assume your role is more than just number crunching but massive salaries and packages don't come around too often at the moment.

If I think of any decent recruiters in that sector I'll let you know.

Millhouse

1) 3 months - maybe, I would plan for 6.
2) Massively boosts your chances. Set up as many meetings before you come
3) I'm qualified but have never practiced if that helps My observation is that finance departments have an excellent Indian bean counting workforce who work hard for not a lot. The good news is that they are incapable of thinking out of the box - You therefore need to set yourself apart from them so focus on project management, growth, leadership etc.

Oh and don't bother with the Al Ain thread - who cares if a starbucks has just opened at Jimmy Mall...

Ilford_or_Dubai

Thanks guys for the worthwhile input!!

1) I am planning about 6 months in total, need to be here the next three to complete my MBA and couple of other things… Ideally, I will find something while I am here but I am not banking on it. As you guys suggested; planning to travel down that way for interviews in between at some point…

2) I know few people there in the same field; been in touch with them and trying to expand my network using LinkedIn. Also an ex colleague took up a senior commercial role in a telecom; haven’t approached him yet – keeping that contact in the back pocket if I don’t hear anything from my own efforts…

3) Keeping my salary expectations realistic. If I can make £60k equal I would take it – anything on top would be a bonus – does this sound realistic or not? I am 31 + wife, no kids… Wife’s professional too but not planned to work in the mid term

4) Totally aware of the finance being flooded with cheap Indian labour – its bit of a worry too… however my experience is commercial, project driven, presentations and dealing with the business more often type role – not a typical accountant’s role if you know what I mean…

I need to find the right employer who’d need my skills. Given my industry experience in telecom and UAE having on ONE telco doesn’t really help!

Pls let me know what you guys think on point#3 above…

Any other useful tips would be highly appreciated…

flares

isn't du (as in du du du du du du du) a second telco?

Ilford_or_Dubai

yes good point... So far I have managed to find

Etisalat, Du, Friendi group, Alcatel-Lucent, Huwei, Sony Erricson and Cisco as the companies I want to target. Du & Freindi as last resort...

What is your view on approaching these companies directly as apposed to using an agent? Will I be at a disadvatage when it comes to negotiating things if I go direct?? Pls advice...

busybee2

but one and the same though

dweller

Interestingly, one of the major shareholders in Du (the competitor to Etisalat) is Etisalat.
One of the dangers of searching from inside the UAE is that you could find yourself being offered a local contract or at least a contract not to the standard of being recruited from overseas.
Accountants, as someone mentioned, are generally Asian. There are some that can think outside the box. Living in Dubai is NOT cheap, living in Abu Dhabi is cheaper but the night life isn't as good as Dubai. It really depends what you want!
In terms of salary, don't aim too high as now isn't the time!

Ilford_or_Dubai

Thanks dweller, whats d difference between local vs international/overseas contract? Isnt the diff relocation pkg?

dweller

It can differ by location.
I knew a telecom technician in Qatar that had been recruited locally and didn't receive an air ticket or school fees. That however was some years ago.
Leave tickets are sometimes given to point of recruitment so make sure that if offered, they are awarded to your home town or at least closest base country airport.
The fact that you are considering going out to find work may also give the impression that you are desperate.
Other considerations that you MUST consider are housing and transport allowances together with End of Service Benefit (although that is part of the Labour Law in most if not all Gulf States) together with other allowances that exist in some states for Western staff.

flares

Is it though? Our guys in AD accommodation costs are much higher. This a big % of outgoings

Oyibopeppeh

Wrong way round.....like for like, AD is MORE expensive

Bahtatboy

Really? (Not disputing, just interested.) I guess most expats' costs are:
accommodation
schooling
transport
food
booze
eating out
comms

with the first two accounting for 80% (?) of the total. Different of course if your company pays.

For me the costs in AD are:
accommodation 200k for a decent 3-bed apartment
schooling nil
transport nil
food 1k pcm
booze 21-35 per pint, similar for a G&T, 35-200 for a bottle of plonk from the offie
eating out 20 for really basic, 150 a head for the best Italian in town, 160 for decent brunch
comms 299 for Etisalat internet at home

How does that compare with Dubai?