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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.

Like most other employers around the world firms in the Middle East have the right to dismiss individuals should they need to with the common practice of three written warnings used before an employee is let go. Meanwhile redundancies also follow a general global pattern with employees receiving financial compensation to the value written in their contract, with some companies providing more if the redundancy was not welcomed.

Along with instant expulsion from a nation if an individual proves HIV positive after a medical examination, breaking the law can result in instant dismissal. Contracts for jobs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia follow typical laws around the globe in that an event involving the police such as drink driving or assault can result in an individual’s employment being terminated. As well as effectively ending a worker’s stay in a nation, indemnity payment regulations are also broken as a result leading to significant financial loss for the employee involved.

It is vital for expatriates to avoid all forms of legal battles if possible due to the repercussions that can develop. If a dispute cannot be settled mutually between a worker and their employer the Ministry of Labour may take up the case as long as they believe an employee’s view of events. However such investigations, though fair and trustworthy, can go on for extended periods of time causing financial detriment to expatriates and their families.

With no trade unions in the Middle East and their creation illegal, workers are generally left to defend themselves when problems arise. It is therefore paramount that individuals avoid confrontation at all costs, stay away from trouble and diffuse a situation quickly should it arise.

Career and job seekers from a variety of backgrounds are still finding employment opportunities in the Middle East, despite the fact that the global economy has been a bit shaky this past year.  Fortunately, for those individuals who desire to relocate overseas and find gainful employment, there is still a wide array of career and job opportunities available in a variety of industries and sectors.  For the qualified and skilled person, the ideal position may be waiting for you.  However, there are a few suggestions you should consider if you are contemplating relocating and working in the Middle East.

Using the keywords “Middle East Jobs” along with the type of job and position you are searching for is where you should start when conducting a search on the internet.  Just be aware that a lot of scam artists have made a good living by ripping people off and unfortunately, the career and job search market has not been able to prevent that from happening there either.  Additionally, consider working with those recruitment agencies that charge the employer the finder’s fee.

Be very thorough when you are searching for your desired jobs Middle East positions, as well as investigating the particular company you are looking at.  Career and job search professionals even recommend that you try to find several news articles that have been published about the particular company you are investigating.  Whether the article is positive or negative, this still helps you to find a desirable job to apply for as well as learning which companies you should consider avoiding.

Thousands of foreign workers flock to the Persian Gulf states of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE every year, looking for a higher quality of life coupled with higher earning power and enhanced career opportunities.

Income in the Gulf States is not taxed at the personal level, so you get to take home the whole of your earnings, which is one of the primary incentives of working there.

From Abu Dhabi IT jobs and Dubai banking jobs to a wide range of jobs in Kuwait and jobs in Qatar, the Persian Gulf has a whole world of job opportunities, and it’s simply a matter of matching your own skill set to what is in demand. You can do this through a number of websites dedicated to recruitment in the region. Another alternative is to attend one of the many expos that are held in major cities to match job-seekers with employers.

The same sort of work ethic applies as in the UK, with the average working day being eight hours, and you’ll normally be expected to wear a suit at the office. The only real difference is that Friday is the day of rest here, and it’s back to work on Sunday. The heat is another thing to take into account, although air conditioning is ubiquitous.

Fix up a job before leaving home and you’ll easily be able to secure a temporary residential permit through your employer, which will allow you to reside and work in the Gulf region for the duration of your contract.

One of the few good things to have come out of the current global recession is the number of opportunities available in the Middle East. Jobs in the Middle East have never been available in greater numbers than they are today, and while the economic downturn at home might be sidetracking your career, coming to the understanding that your home country is not the only place in the world to find employment opportunities can mean the difference between working or not. Despite the recession, you can still find your dream position by applying for jobs in Middle Eastern countries.

While it is true that the entire world has seen better days, it is also true that it has seen worse and recessions can actually be a good thing for certain economies. Just because you lose your job does not mean you have lost your ability to be productive, and considering the wide array of jobs that are available in Middle Eastern countries, you have the perfect platform to launch the next step in your career. Want to work banking jobs in Dubai? Go for it. Interested in jobs in Kuwait? There are thousands of them available. Ever consider a job in the United Arab Emirates?  Dubai is considered one of the hottest places in the world in terms of economic strength. All in all, jobs in Middle East countries have never been more available than they are today, so if you have been laid off in your home country it might be time to look to the Middle East for your next employment opportunity.

Whether you are looking at jobs in Kuwait, jobs in Saudi Arabia, or jobs in the United Arab Emirates, one of the most crucial elements prior to working in these countries is to understand the cultural differences between the Western world and the Middle East. You need to understand that their way of life is different from anything else you have ever experienced, and all of the things you take for granted in your home country can potentially become luxuries in other countries. The restrictions imposed upon you while working jobs in the Gulf can be somewhat stifling for individuals who are intolerant of other religions, cultures, and lifestyles. Everything from the food to clothing to business hours and customer service are going to be drastically different, and you must accept these differences.

There is no point in working a job in the United Arab Emirates unless you are an individual who can cope with cultural differences. Customer service is not a right, it is a privilege, and this is one of the hardest things for individuals from Western cultures to cope with when they move to and work in another country. Working jobs in UAE cities can be a challenge for anyone, and culture shock is a very real situation which can affect anyone, whether it is a few weeks into their new adventure, or even after several months. If you plan on working jobs in Dubai or any other part of the UAE, you need to prepare yourself mentally before you ever even step foot in the country. Study, research, and be prepared to blend in.