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If you’re contemplating a Qatar job, you’re best advised not to simply arrive in the country and begin look for work when you’re there. In common with most of the Gulf States today, Qatar is now regulating the inflow of foreign workers, and tends to give preference to those with professional and managerial qualifications, especially in the field of technology. So, if you’ve got eye on Qatar IT jobs or even one of the many Qatar petroleum jobs, it’s always best to secure a firm job offer before you up sticks and head off to the Gulf. And this is where a reputable recruitment agency can offer invaluable help.

The agencies recruiting for Qatar jobs in cities such as London and New York generally advertise for managerial staff, and they also tend to specialize (e.g., engineering and technical trades such as plumbing, gas engineers, electricians, etc., or medical and nursing staff, or IT personnel, accountants, construction managers, executives and financial workers). Finding work through these agencies is far more reliable than looking for it after arriving in the country, although there are recruitment agencies in Qatar itself. Generally, though, these are for the spouses of expatriates who have already secured jobs, providing temporary work – if your partner wishes to work, be advised that separate visas will be necessary. Less commonly, you might find that a local agency will help locate another fixed-term contract for you after your current one comes to an end.

If you plan to get a plane to Bahrain to begin your job search, you should save yourself the money.  The best way to get jobs, (Bahrain has a wide selection) of any kind is to start looking while you are at home.  The vast majority of foreign workers accept jobs (Bahrain vicinity or other areas) before they even visit the country for the first time.  By using the phone, email and the internet, job applications can be sent and interviews can be held, all without visiting the country itself.

You can also find out a lot about the expatriate community before you leave home.  While you can search for jobs (Bahrain can offer many advantages), by using a search engine to find relevant websites, you may also benefit from visiting forums that such expat workers go to.  You can pick up lots of tips and advice from people who have already found jobs (Bahrain expats are plentiful) by going online first of all.

In many ways getting your first contract for jobs (Bahrain contracts need to be reviewed carefully) is the hardest, because you have no knowledge base to start from.  Typically speaking a lot of workers from foreign countries start off by working for a particular company on a year long contract.  That contract may then be extended or they may transfer to another company without returning home.  Most jobs (Bahrain is no exception) operate like this, although the more contacts you have and the more you know, the easier you should find it to switch from one contract as it ends, to a brand new one.

Jobs in the United Arab Emirates are increasing fast; Dubai is one of the seven emirates which make up the UAE, which is a federation of states on the Arabian Peninsula situated between Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman along the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Dubai City is considered one of the fastest-growing cities on the planet, packed full of banking jobs, IT jobs, and jobs in many other economic sectors. This is one of the best places in the world if you love desert temperatures, sandy beaches, and some of the hottest shopping opportunities you can find anywhere. Construction, finance, IT, media and engineering are some of the top jobs in Dubai as the city continues to grow.

The reason so many people choose to work jobs in Dubai is because of the exciting opportunities. Where other countries around the world are suffering from rising unemployment rates during the global recession, Dubai is seeing nothing but continued growth, meaning that IT jobs in Dubai as well as other types of jobs are continuing to be available to qualified candidates on a global basis.

Working a job in Dubai means understanding that you are going to be in a completely different environment than what you may be used to, but there are quite a few benefits, not the least of which is the experience of working in a foreign land. These types of experiences look great on CVs and job applications, and if you are looking for a boost up in your career, there’s no better place to look for jobs in the Middle East than in Dubai.

Overall there is not a large temping sector in the Middle East. Due to most nations in the region regulating immigration carefully and almost every foreign employee having to come into a country on a work permit, individuals should avoid travelling to the UAE or Saudi Arabia in attempt to look for jobs. However with a large job market offering positions in the oil industry, construction or Dubai’s growing tourism industry, opportunities still exist and some freelance and short term contract work may be available.

Whilst most job contracts for foreigners are drawn up before the individual enters a Middle Eastern country, there are often a large number of additional short term contracts and freelance work available once in a nation. In Dubai work visas are still available and many may find that after a contract has finished a close knit and friendly expatriate community will help find additional work for them on a temporary basis.

Meanwhile as tourism grows and nations such as Dubai realise the importance of attracting youngsters, especially those who may be travelling the world on gap years, a number of options for temping and freelance work exist. Whilst often paying extremely low wages, set by Asian individuals generally willing to work for less than their Western counterparts, vacancies may be found via newspapers or agencies for office, retail, port delivery or tourist work. In Dubai, where a vibrant nightlife is also to be found, workers may find positions in restaurants and nightclubs, with the latter often providing hostess jobs for women.

Temping and freelance work remains a relatively small niche sector in the Middle East due to their immigration regulations, and for those searching for jobs in the UAE or Saudi Arabia options can be limited. Individuals are advised to find contract positions before moving or they may face an uncertain future attempting to find work.

A job seeker will want to be very sure that they really want to work in the Gulf region.  Looking for jobs in the UAE is quite hard and the lifestyle there is completely different from life in the West.  They need to be prepared to adapt to a new way of life.  There are restrictions on foreign workers travelling around, alcohol and other things that we often take for granted in other parts of the world.  

It is not a good idea to apply for lots of different jobs.  You are more likely to get a job that you are qualified for and have experience in and it is just a waste of time to apply for others.  Employers have to be sure that they get the right worker as they will have to pay out a great deal of money to bring a worker to the country. They need to make sure from the outset that they have the right one.  Target your search on your specific qualifications and this will help to increase your chances of success.

An up to date CV is essential, and this should be registered with recruitment agencies and online job hunting sites.  As soon as a vacancy is advertised you should be ready to send off your CV and make your application.  The CV is your best chance of making a good impression as for jobs in Dubai and other Gulf States it will be the main opportunity an employer has to assess you.

With English being one of the world’s most recognised and spoken languages, falling behind only Chinese Mandarin and Spanish, there is some availability for individuals to teach English in Dubai. Whilst a range of jobs in Dubai exist for foreigners, mostly in the administrative and construction industries, the increasing number of expatriates and nationals looking to learn the language have added to opportunities within the region, allowing some to find work as teachers to both adults and children.

English remains a second language in the education system in Dubai, but with a large proportion of teaching staff hailing from Jordon, Syria and Egypt opportunities for those whose first language is English in the state system are rare. Largely due to the extreme cultural differences between the Middle East and the Western World foreigners should not therefore look to teach English in the state education system, and instead look into alternative avenues of employment.

With the rise in the rate of tourism to the region English is a vital language for all those working in places such as hotels, hospitals, airports and tourist attractions. Meanwhile many will find a large proportion of fluent English nationals in the retail sector, which allows them the ability to interact with locals and Westerners alike. Advertised in newspaper supplements in addition to professional teaching publications, English teachers can find a number of options for work including private schools, language schools and private lessons, with additional work also being available as interpreters and translators.

If you are considering applying for jobs in Saudi Arabia or Dubai, or any one of the Gulf States, you should be aware that once you start work it is not easy to change.  An employee is sponsored by an employer, who will have paid a great deal of money in visa and relocation fees to bring the worker to the country, so they will not be keen to allow anyone to terminate a contract early.  When taking Gulf jobs, the worker has an obligation to remain loyal to the employer.

It has been the case in the past that some workers whose contracts have ended have found a new job while they are still in the country.  This means that the employer has obtained the services of an experienced employee and has not had to pay out for visa and relocation fees.  There are now new procedures in place to prevent workers from doing this. 

Employment contracts are now worded so that they protect employers.  Open ended contracts are used rather than fixed term agreements and the worker has to agree to leave the country for six months after the end of the contract and before they can apply for a new job and visa. 

In order to transfer to another job a worker must have a ‘no objection certificate’ from the company they currently work for, but this does not mean that they will no longer be subject to rigorous checks.  The easiest way to change jobs is to leave at the end of the contract and reapply after the six month waiting period has elapsed. 

Whilst many individuals continue to look for jobs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) it is important to consider the larger implications of such a move. Finding work and living abroad can often become a defining step in an individual’s career but other than the logistical problems of actually acquiring a job, living and cultural aspects, particularly in the UAE, can play a determining role in how successful any move may be.

It is vital to include such considerations when moving to any Gulf State because, unlike many western countries, a strong religious culture and radically different laws can create an environment that many are not accustomed to. Strict rules regarding the consumption of alcohol and displays of affection in public may deter some candidates, whilst homosexuality remains illegal across the Middle East making it wise for gay individuals to avoid seeking work in the area. Meanwhile past conflict and unrest, though having receded of late, may dissuade others from relocating.

Elsewhere, those looking to move to the UAE should note that the majority of job contracts are short term, with the emirate nations not allowing for citizenship or the ownership of land or property in some places. Though such regulations are being loosened, especially when it comes to owning businesses, prospective employees should consider the length of stay that they are seeking and the type of work they are looking for.

Moving abroad also causes significant upheaval to family members making it imperative that workers consider the change of lifestyle forced upon their loved ones. How will family members integrate into their new surroundings? Is there adequate schooling for the children? How will such a move affect long-term career plans? A fully informed and frank approach should be taken by anyone considering applying for jobs in the UAE to ensure that their job and lifestyle change will reap rewards for years to come.

For those looking to work in the Middle East it is important to have an understanding of the contractual agreements that may be entered into. With contracts providing the only access to jobs in Saudi Arabia and nations of the UAE is it crucial to know how paperwork may affect working time within the region.

Containing the conditions of employment, contracts for jobs in Dubai in particular have increasingly become open-ended, changing from the two year conditions that expatriates were traditionally provided with. Most contracts will incorporate the wording ‘employment subject to obtaining the necessary permits’, highlighting the importance of ensuring that work permits can be obtained before looking for work. Upon entry to the nation it is vital that any verbal or previously signed paperwork is formalised in an Arabic contract, allowing for individuals to have a secure and legal contract. Individuals may also be expected to cancel work visas at the end of a contract, and complete a complaints questionnaire.

Meanwhile, in addition to any written contract, a mandatory medical examination is required. With particular importance placed on HIV and AIDS testing, such examinations are not optional for workers or spouses and if testing positive expatriates can expect immediate expulsion from the state. Such tests are also repeated, normally every three years when work visas are renewed.

For the most part prospective employers will take responsibility for all paperwork and contractual obligations, making a transition to the Middle East as easy as possible. And with modern changes to contract agreements, many foreigners can expect to remain in a host nation for more than twenty years.

For all foreign individuals looking into the possibilities of working in Dubai it is vital to understand the details of sponsorship. Jobs in Dubai can be readily available for those with the correct skills, but holding the right qualifications and having the inclination to move will not get individuals anywhere unless they have a sponsor.

Throughout the Gulf nations the term sponsor refers to an individual who takes care of a foreign worker living in the nation. Acting as a guardian of sorts it is the sponsor that opens a bank account, signs accommodation contracts and completes paperwork for the employee and it is they that have the ultimate responsibility of ensuring that any expatriate abides by the nation’s laws and regulations. It is therefore vital that any prospective employee ensure that an adequate sponsor can be found, allowing them to enter the country and work under the terms of their contract.

Be it an individual, an institution or a company, Dubai also has qualification criteria for would-be sponsors. Employees can normally rely on their company becoming their sponsor, whilst those looking to a future of self employment are recommended to investigate local firms operating in a similar niche, finding an experienced individual to act as a sponsor.

Used by many countries including the United States to control the immigration of workers, the sponsorship process is an integral part of moving to Dubai, and without a sponsor relocation is not possible. And whilst individuals may see the process as a negative, such a detailed approach can pay dividends in the future with increased company interest and career development being offered as a result of their sponsorship role.