So now that things have really hit the wall over here, I'm still not going to be able to get over to Dubai, where they say the streets are paved with gold, until May. I was wondering how soon should I start getting the c.v. out there, start contacting recruitment agents etc? Also am I correct in thinking that alot of companys have recruitment drives around Decemeber/January to start....when?

In my case... interview in May, got offer in August to start in October. After I delayed it for next year. Things take some time in the ME.

with us draft offer made in Feburary, came over in April for a look about, Contract signed at the end of April started here in June... that was our choice they wanted us on the next flight out after contract was signed.

Hmm. So really no major problem in sending the c.v. out straight away? And from the looks of things on this forum, getting your employer to sort out your accom. is an absolute must?

depends on the industry.

if you are in construction (buildings, rigs) they are usually project timescaled so the company wants you yesterday..

That's right. I arrived 2 weeks after my interview. Got into Dubai at 1am and was at work by 7am. Never looked back. Sort of......

Still looking for the gold pavements. Think that you'll find any gold will end up in your landlord's pocket.

Applied for Job in March 08
First interview June 08 (London)
Second interview July 08 (Abu Dhabi)
Job Offer September 08
Possible Start………. January 09.
I thought that UK Civil Servants were slow :curse:

Wow I guess i am slow at these things

First interview Oct 07 in London, Nov 07 interview in Saudi, Nov 07 got offer, Nov 07 told them to sod orf !

Nothing until June 08, July 08 interview in London, 2nd interview via phone in Aug, Sept interview with their external auditor in Dubai, Sept interview with their external auditor in London, Sept met them in their company in KW (when I was supposed to be in Dubai working with my current company!), currently trying to get paperwork sort to start in Nov !

See - much more efficient in Saudi / Kuwait!!

Heros all round...

yeah, or factor in a rent increase of 10-20k AED per month into your salary/package request!

My hubby went out in April, then May, got offer in June, was due out in August, but they messed up his visa, so we're out here now at the end of Sept. He had to ask for his salary package to be reviewed to cover the 60k AED rental increase over that period.

I was interviewed on 14th Dec 07, got the formal job offer on 26th Dec. Went for medical and induction in UK on 6th Feb, at which I was given the contract and T&C's so I formally handed in my notice. Arrived in KSA in early April. Could have gone out the week before.

All in all, from job offer to arriving in Saudi, was just a tad over three months.

Sent CV out but didnt get any biters, it was actually someone we knew that worked for the company and that is why things moved faster.

If you can get accommodation out of your company then def yes, it has save us time and money having the company do everything!!

Had my interview just before i went on holiday, landed in Dubai 4 weeks later, started the day after I landed. Job done.

Send CV off beginning of May 08
Interview mid-May 08, offer there and then
Wanted me to start asap, but had 2 months notice
On a flight out to AD on 27/7, landed 9pm, at work 8am following day

No disrespect to the poster, but is there anyone else here getting thoroughly pissed off at the whole idea that the streets are paved with gold????

It doesnt take most people too long to realise that gold pavements are actually simply gold leaf spread as thinly as possible over dirt and sand.

Can I ask, brodtron, how long you have spent in Dubai, or whether you are simply swallowing hook, line and sinker the PR spin coming from Dubai Inc....

PS... And, NO, I am not AA in disguise....!!!