Why is it so difficult to find work in Dubai? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Why is it so difficult to find work in Dubai?

32
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 December 2013 - 18:34

I'm so glad to find this site and all the wonderful ladies here. I've been here in Dubai for 4 months and have been actively looking for work with no success. I came here as my husbands work was transferred here and left a highly paid career but have been sitting at home not being able to find anything. I have a degree in computer science, have over 16 years in management and leadership in customer service and support for many major companies. I'm from Vancouver Canada. I have my residency visa and all but somehow I'm unable to land even a single interview. I've applied through dubizzle, gulf talent, linkedin and every other agency. What am I doing wrong? I have worked my whole life since I was 14 and just can't sit at home as it will make me so depressed. Please help me shed some lights?

11
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 March 2019 - 01:24
Hello all , I’ve seen so many post that resonate in a way with my story too , so I will like to share It as well . I’m actively looking for job for few months now and I got 3 calls and 2 interview from which one it was from a reputable Reqruiment company in Dubai but after that then never bother to come back with a feedback or to reply on follow up emails (( still not loosing my hopes and keep on applying - I have more than 12 years experience in retail sector as visual merchandising manager but unfortunately this is not enough it’s seams , I’ve try most of the sites and recruitment companies that I know , soon my visa will be at the end , if anyone here know any company that they have vacancy on my fild or any Reqruiment company kindly share with me , I appreciate the time you take and read my message ,thanks Camelia
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 March 2019 - 06:25
Hi there , maybe is to late for this reply But did you try to apply true Michel page ? Thanks Camelia
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 March 2019 - 10:46
Hi, why dont you try to do some business like Forex/stocks trading. you dont have to bother for jobs...
Hey Jayson , I know how it’s feels believe me I’ve been there , in which fild you was working before ?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 March 2019 - 19:13
Hi Ladies. I absolutely hate every moment of living and being in Dubai. I don't have friends, I've never before had to look and find friends, I've worked all my life, never been unemployed more...
Hi, why dont you try to do some business like Forex/stocks trading. you dont have to bother for jobs...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 February 2019 - 09:52
Hi Ladies. I absolutely hate every moment of living and being in Dubai. I don't have friends, I've never before had to look and find friends, I've worked all my life, never been unemployed more then a few days, I don't go anywhere as I don't have anywhere to go, I hate shopping and especially hate the malls here, as I'm no botique type a person. It's been terribly lonely and I'm very bored. It's been nearly 4 years, I had a job oil and gas for like nearly 2 years, which I was actually helped to get, I geuss if it wasn't for that I would have never even worked at all, in the nearly 4 years I had 2 interviews out of millions of jobs I applied for, seems like I can't even win an interview and thats since 2015, we were retrenched and cheap labourers was taken in our positions. I have been unemployed for 2 years to date, I apply and either never hear back, or they use the excuse of 'emiratisation. Hopefully I'm not the only one feeling like this!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 December 2018 - 20:52
Hi ladies Just wanted to post an update. It has been 16 months I've been in Dubai and have yet to find work. Been to numerous interviewes and the response is always either over qualified or no UAE...
We are seeking a Tech-support person at our office - Full time,. I can mail you an application today and you can bring it in after Jan 1st? with your resume. Pay - 165477 Dirham to start. Lesa. Dubai International Financial Centre
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 December 2018 - 20:44
Hi ladies Just wanted to post an update. It has been 16 months I've been in Dubai and have yet to find work. Been to numerous interviewes and the response is always either over qualified or no UAE...
We are seeking a Tech-support person at our office - Full time,. I can mail you an application today and you can bring it in after Jan 1st? with your resume. Pay - 165477 Dirham to start. Lesa. Dubai International Financial Centre
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 December 2014 - 08:25
Thanks for the update, minamiller. I'm about to start my own job search so will let you know how I get on. I won't be using any agencies or job sites - just contacting ppl I know and networking. Touch wood I will get somewhere. Keep trying, you will get there eventually!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2014 - 00:36
16 months! oh my:( , I am depressed at the thought. I have been at it for 3 months. What can I say, don't give up.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 November 2014 - 08:52
Hi ladies Just wanted to post an update. It has been 16 months I've been in Dubai and have yet to find work. Been to numerous interviewes and the response is always either over qualified or no UAE experience.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 June 2014 - 10:21
I came across a comment by a HR person and am wondering whether what she said is the norm for HR here; that CVs of job hunters working the same job for more than 3 years are automatically rejected except for very senior position, that may explain why it can be difficult to get jobs http://gulfnews.com/business/my-career/signs-you-re-in-a-dead-end-job-1.1340889 [i'>"Besides, there’s a danger of staying in the same role for a long time. “I would automatically discount the resume of someone who has been in the same position for more than three years, unless it was an extremely senior position,” said Halabi."[/i'> In my opinion definitely not true. Most international and multinational companies prefer people who have worked with an employer for more than 3 years
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EW GURU
Latest post on 01 June 2014 - 09:51
I came across a comment by a HR person and am wondering whether what she said is the norm for HR here; that CVs of job hunters working the same job for more than 3 years are automatically rejected except for very senior position, that may explain why it can be difficult to get jobs http://gulfnews.com/business/my-career/signs-you-re-in-a-dead-end-job-1.1340889 [i'>"Besides, there’s a danger of staying in the same role for a long time. “I would automatically discount the resume of someone who has been in the same position for more than three years, unless it was an extremely senior position,” said Halabi."[/i'>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 May 2014 - 19:27
Totally agree with you skyfall, but in my case I really wanted to work and so far so good, it has got me a job with a decent salary. Best of luck Dear.Hard worker and skilled person can get a job easily.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 May 2014 - 19:03
Ifmy options were medicine or MBA, MBA would not follow my name :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 May 2014 - 18:03
I can so relate to this! I moved to Dubai in Feb last year but wasnt so active in job hunt as my One one year old was a handful but now that he would be starting nursery soon I have really geared up my efforts but it is just so hard! And I feel it would have been better if I had gone for medicine instead of MBA. Anyways I am still trying hard and have been thinking of personally going into some offices! I am even open to part time work initially! Lets see how it goes! Best of luck to everyone!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 May 2014 - 08:45
Am I the only one that gets so insulted as its feels like all the jobs are so badly paid?? If they here you have children, they not interested, what to do??!! And why are all the jobs advertised aimed at those who have no qualifications? Admin assistant, marketing assistant, communications assistant ... ugh. Because the positions are already taken by the few that are lucky enough to be qualified....ugh.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 May 2014 - 13:55
Am I the only one that gets so insulted as its feels like all the jobs are so badly paid?? If they here you have children, they not interested, what to do??!! And why are all the jobs advertised aimed at those who have no qualifications? Admin assistant, marketing assistant, communications assistant ... ugh.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 May 2014 - 12:54
Anyone looking for something in Abu Dhabi, a Team Assistants position just freed up... <em>edited by janatks on 12/05/2014</em>
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 May 2014 - 12:49
If any of you are on husband's, father's sponsorship try for temp roles. Also agree with Izzy re LinkedIn. And never mind the pay, just wait until you are told that they want someone younger, that's when it gets really hard. did hte purple rinse put them off?
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 May 2014 - 12:38
If any of you are on husband's, father's sponsorship try for temp roles. Also agree with Izzy re LinkedIn. And never mind the pay, just wait until you are told that they want someone younger, that's when it gets really hard.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 May 2014 - 12:35
Are you on linkedin? I am not looking for a job but often get requests from people.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2014 - 12:34
I am finding it hard too. registered with the best agencies and still no bite - updated by CV, constantly looking every day on monster and gulf and here but just get nothing. deflated!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 07 May 2014 - 12:32
Am I the only one that gets so insulted as its feels like all the jobs are so badly paid?? If they here you have children, they not interested, what to do??!! what roles are you applying for?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 May 2014 - 12:30
Am I the only one that gets so insulted as its feels like all the jobs are so badly paid?? If they here you have children, they not interested, what to do??!!
493
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 May 2014 - 22:34
Hi minamiller You could water down your experience slightly - eg call yourself a customer service mgr. This 'having to make yourself look dumber' thing here drives me off the wall! Hi minamiller, I wasn't actually suggesting you make yourself sound dumb - just less technical and specialized. I know it's a difficult thing to so when you have worked so hard to get where you are, but in this market it will definitely broaden your horizons. I went through the process of removing buzzwords from my CV which sounded v impressive in London but which may as well have been in Japanese for recruiters and mgrs here - they hadn't a clue what they meant! The type of qualities they look for in westerners here are good communication skills, ability to take initiative, problem solve, adapt to change, organize, think strategically. You could always re-jig your CV to highlight qualities such as these.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 04 May 2014 - 10:53
Totally agree with you skyfall, but in my case I really wanted to work and so far so good, it has got me a job with a decent salary.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 May 2014 - 10:29
Hi minamiller Unfortunately I have to agree with skyfall on the nationality issue. I used to work as a (non-technical, business-focused) IT project mgr for software rollouts in the financial sector. I came out here to launch a stock exchange on a very western team, which went brilliantly. But gradually Europeans and Americans left and now the IT dept is completely non-western. Some of my former colleagues who moved onto other countries are now trying to break back into the market but simply cannot. Thankfully, as I am business-focused I have transferable skills and am able to secure work doing process mapping, writing policies and procedures and so on. If you are a service mgr by training you should be able to do this too. I would say the most important thing is to meet ppl face-to-face. Once they get a feel for your personality and competence they will be much more likely to take a 'risk' by putting you in a slightly different role to that which had in your home country. To break into the market, you could easily work as a PA to a very senior person (e.g. western IT director). This may not be what you are accustomed to but at least it would get your foot in the door. You could also do admin work for a company known to hire westerners (e.g. bank in DIFC). Tbh sending your CV out with 'technical support mgr' as your latest position will not get you very far, as ppl are likely to delete it as soon as they see the 'wrong' nationality. You could water down your experience slightly - eg call yourself a customer service mgr. Let me know if you'd like to discuss this further [email protected] Good luck x This 'having to make yourself look dumber' thing here drives me off the wall!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 May 2014 - 15:54
Hi minamiller Unfortunately I have to agree with skyfall on the nationality issue. I used to work as a (non-technical, business-focused) IT project mgr for software rollouts in the financial sector. I came out here to launch a stock exchange on a very western team, which went brilliantly. But gradually Europeans and Americans left and now the IT dept is completely non-western. Some of my former colleagues who moved onto other countries are now trying to break back into the market but simply cannot. Thankfully, as I am business-focused I have transferable skills and am able to secure work doing process mapping, writing policies and procedures and so on. If you are a service mgr by training you should be able to do this too. I would say the most important thing is to meet ppl face-to-face. Once they get a feel for your personality and competence they will be much more likely to take a 'risk' by putting you in a slightly different role to that which had in your home country. To break into the market, you could easily work as a PA to a very senior person (e.g. western IT director). This may not be what you are accustomed to but at least it would get your foot in the door. You could also do admin work for a company known to hire westerners (e.g. bank in DIFC). Tbh sending your CV out with 'technical support mgr' as your latest position will not get you very far, as ppl are likely to delete it as soon as they see the 'wrong' nationality. You could water down your experience slightly - eg call yourself a customer service mgr. Let me know if you'd like to discuss this further [email protected] Good luck x
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 May 2014 - 11:37
Btw, I was a Service Desk/ Technical Support Manager for companies such as IBM, NOKIA, etc... Having worked in fields that require personnel of your calibre I can safely say it is going to be very difficult to land a job for you as in those fields employment seems to be around certain nationalities that does not include yours. Simply because they are willing to work for lower salaries and saying you are Canadian does make people think you might be wanting too much money, will not fit in with the already existing team (who somehow always end up from the same country)...I experienced this first hand....I ended up resigning... I also have a friend who works in IT but it took her 8 years to get to a 'normal' salary and accept the fact that she is THE only one who is A) a woman B) a minority and C) treated like dirt on most occasions by her seniors who are also from the same country as the rest of the team. I so wish my post was more positive, sorry....Perhaps try volunteering to begin with and networking will lead you to a better position and you will also feel like you are doing something worthy.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 May 2014 - 09:59
Job hunting in Dubai (and anywhere else in the world these days) is HARD work. It doesn't matter what your qualifications are, how many years of experience you have, or if you're new to UAE or not...it takes time, resilience, and patience. You need to continue to be persistent, put yourself out there, network, refresh your CV's and cover letters, and keep going. No job is going to knock on your door, you need to be aggresive and try all options. Yes, there are many recruiters who won't bother emailing back, even after interviews...but no point dwelling on it, just move on to the next opportunity. Plus you have the people who are so desperate to be here that they will work for peanuts and of course depending on where they come from they are willing to accept a lower salary and benefits.
 
 

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