helloworld2014

Hi driftingaway,

Good to see someone in a similar boat! I'm sure at this time of the year, the board regulars get used to seeing questions and discussions like this!

For us, the initial offer was 12,000AED per month - but it was indicated there could be a little wriggle room upwards on this figure, due to my wife's experience (in teaching, and in industry that relates directly to her teaching) so if we could get that up-to 13,000AED it would put us at ease, ever so slightly. It's just the £4.5k debts that we would have to try and get rid of before we'd arrive - but that's just about do-able in the time before August....It's a good job the school are paying 100% school fees for our child, if it was only 50/75% of the fees it would be a non-starter.

Good luck, and keep us all posted!

Helloworld2014

helloworld2014

I work in Educational Technology - so, quite a specialised part of IT; implementing, maintaining, project managing large scale IT solutions / systems for the education/training/human resource/talent management sector. It's quite a niche market, but big business if your involved in it. But I have lots more generic skills in IT project management, IT/Business system analysis, IT consultancy, IT Implementation that could be matched to IT in general to be honest, if needs be.

I have had a few inroads in jobs recently - also been offered a few over the years for some "very large Educational institutions" in the region - but had to decline for a variety of reasons.

Fingers crossed!

Helloworld2014

Blue Cat

go for it I say, you will get a job I am guessing.

helloworld2014

I think that is the biggest worry! I know I have the skills, experience, and determination - and I know there is a wealth of jobs that I could (and am!) applying too - just need to hope that I get one of them. I have no intentions of going over there, and not trying my best to secure a position - I've got too much experience to let go to waste.

As I say, over the past few years, I've had a few offers - so I should be OK.....famous last words.

Thank you all for your responses - been a great reassurance!

Helloworld2014

helloworld2014

Sorry I thought you were posing a hypothetical question - What do you do?

As I mentioned, I work in the Educational Technology industry - part of IT. Mentioned it in the above post.

Ta,

Helloworld2014

Millhouse

Correct attitude.

Millhouse

we got there in the end

I have no idea if this is a big sector or not. Others on here will though

Eeyore

Something to bear in mind is that IT out here is all about highly-qualified Indians and Pakistanis working for much lower wages than equally-qualified Westerners would accept.

helloworld2014

Thanks Eeyore. Yeah - I'm aware of the influx and availability of highly skilled IT workers from India and Pakistan taking on IT roles for much less. Obviously a concern. I wonder whether this is this true for managerial, and senior positions though? (An alternative role I could take, if I cant secure a role in my speciality).

Jobs that I have been offered in the past in the UAE (and am applying to now) have a fairly decent, not great admittedly, salary (17k - 24k+ AED a month). These are positions in large multinational companies, educational institutions, or companies that are involved in technologies used in the delivery of Education. The area of IT I'm involved in, is quite specialist by nature - demanding specific experience in specific environments / with particular technologies that "generic" IT staff may not have experience/skills in.

I have a BSc, MA, and 13 years experience in this particular field, working at the UK's largest player in this area (with an additional 4/5 years experience in "general IT" - support, administration, installation, web design etc). Obviously, I cant sell myself too short, and at the same time I don't want to be presumptuous or blinkered - but I fully understand the kind of competition I'd be up against!

Many thanks,

Helloworld2014

Scamp

Depending on who your wife works for, if you get a job then she becomes your responsibility.

IE; If I marry my Mrs, she loses her accommodation allowance / apartment, making us instantly worse off.

helloworld2014

She's a teacher. I thought that she sponsors me and our son, then if I get a job I can be hired as a 'local hire' with no added "benefits" (with all the necessary formalities, NOC etc). Is this right?

Ta,

Helloworld2014

Scamp

You need to read her contract, not all are the same, they may be employing here on family status, which may well be fine if you work or not.

I just think you should check it out...

Meow

If considering taking up a teaching position in AD, you might want to have a look at a story in one of today's papers.

http://7daysindubai.com/education-in...falling-short/

Turnover is high and I have heard from many teachers who are unhappy at government schools and are treated unfairly when leaving as government
employers are effectively exempt from UAE labour law provisions.

OriginalSunshine

For me, personally, absolutely no way would we go to a country on a single salary less than we could be happy on, in the hope that one of us would get a job to make it liveable, and bring our child along as well.

yes of course it is. you think those guys & gals don't have aspirations and experience levels the same or more as yours?

helloworld2014

I'm under no illusions here - and in no way was I suggesting that others' may have less skills. I was responding to the fact that someone said that Indian and Pakistani workers would "accept" less than westerners. I was asking would they accept less for a managerial role, or senior position - even though there is an advertised salary. Would they demand a lower salary so that they can secure the job? Would they apply to a 24k AED a month job, and say, I'll take it for 15k AED because I can do the same for cheaper? I know I have a lot to learn in the dynamics of employment in the region!

Cheers for your help

Helloworld2014