Moving to the Middle East...
 

Hi all,

Hope you're well.

I'm thinking about moving to the Middle East (Qatar or UAE) for a few years, but not quite sure where to start my job hunting. I've spoken to a few people about this, some say I should stick to online applications and others say the best way to land a job in Qatar or UAE is to actually travel there and attend face to face interviews. Can you give me advice if you are already there? How did you get your jobs?

Also, I'm 25 with three years experience in accounting, graduated from Manchester Business School with a First-class degree and have a masters. I'm ACCA part-qualified. So, are the odds in my favour? Or would I struggle to find a job in that region with my current experience/qualifications?

Please note that my current employer doesn't have branches in the Middle East - just in case anyone wondered if that's a possibility for me.

Thanks :)

Re: Moving to the Middle East...
 

Yup - you'd struggle. You need to have a USP (unique selling point) - plenty of partially qualified ACCA candidates that are local out here. Best bet is to finish off your ACCA where you are, and develop a key skill (not too niche though as that can be a double edged sword) and then look again in a couple of years.

Localisation is strong here, and accounting can be done by locals relatively competently. Also, they have no reason nor motive to train up an expat when they can train a local. All my finance team are (competent) locals.

Re: Moving to the Middle East...
 

I was in your position about 10 years ago. I actually got an offer out here with a fund - I seem to remember it being about '50k GBP' a year.

I decided to turn the offer down, qualify in London and do about two years (dropped the bean counting and switched to corporate finance)... As a PQ in London I was earning 45k ... Came out here six years ago on ... more. You won't do yourself any favours by qualifying and doing your work experience here. Do it in London.