Qatar Salary Offer- good or bad?

Desert Beauty - I'm glad you feel more able to make an informed decision. There are a couple of things that you might not be aware of when it comes to the public health sector: Check out how long it can be before you're allowed to take holiday? For some it can be three months, others ten months. Find out if there are any stipulations on how many holidays you can take. Some organisations only let you take annual leave in three separate blocks, so going away for long weekends is next to impossible, unless you use the Eid holidays (this can be challenging as they aren't fixed dates). Also check that your organisation will provide the letter needed to obtain a liqor licence, some don't. Don't forget you will need an exit permit to leave the country - this can be a struggle especially in emergencies. I don't want to put you off, but if we had known these things before we cam, we might have made a different decision. Good luck.

Meant to add - whereintheworld - you know some well paid teachers! I don't actually know any personally but prior to moving here I went to an educational job fair in Dubai and was quoted a basic of 16,000 and packaged accommodation, car and medical worth 10,000 and also your flight . I though it average . As a local hire there were no allowances so I didn't go for it.

Meant to add - whereintheworld - you know some well paid teachers!

I'm not convinced it's that bad an offer. In my experience not many people are actually getting a significant uplift on (gross) UK income anymore. You will do if you're in a niche profession or have something specific to bring but the employer has to want you in particular. Are you giving up a secure job in the UK? Are you giving up any form of (well-funded) final salary pension scheme? How close are you to your family at home? If you want to be in Dubai I'm not certain this job is the right stepping stone - you'd be better off waiting for Dubai. You can certainly live on that salary. You won't be able to save the amount you're calculating in your head you can save but that's the same for everyone. It's hard to explain how and why life is so much more expensive out here and a lot is 'keeping up with the Joneses' to some extent. You will be able to save if you want to though. Like cassandra I also know several career women working here with good packages. In my profession senior women are common. There aren't that many single women but then most of my ex-single female friends were single when they arrived and aren't anymore! I know a lot of couples who met out here. I agree Qatar isn't women friendly. It's also not a bad place to be despite the bashing it gets on here. There are more exciting countries but generally there are fewer employment opportunities or the packages are lower. There's a real divide on here (as you will have seen) between people who think it's a great place to be and people who think it's the most boring country in the world. I'm never quite certain of the reason for the difference but I would guess a lot has to do with the friendship group you end up falling in with and what your idea of a 'good time' is. Summer is hard. Traffic is appaling. I can't think of a time I've found myself with nothing to do though.

As a single woman happily working in Qatar, I don't agree. I know several career women working here with good packages.

I'm a single woman and have lived in Qatar on and off for a total of 5 years. edited by katcalls on 24/09/2013 May I ask why you have chosen to spend so long here ? Is your job region specific ? Is your salary better here than elsewhere ? I find it Qatar not particuarly woman friendly nor interesting and given there are many more places in the world that are both , I am interested to find out your reasons . One of my single friends came for a visit with a view to transferring but was very put off by the inequality in her profession here .The only lady I know who is single here was married to a Qatari and stays so she gets to see the children.

I'm a single woman and have lived in Qatar on and off for a total of 5 years. I earn about that much and it's enough for me. I am able to save quite a reasonable amount each month and I live in a nice flat, have my own car etc. I eat out when I want and don't skimp on things I want. With that said, I also don't live a flash lifestyle by choice. I'm a basics kinda gal. With that said, I also haven't had a pay raise in 3 years and it's starting to rankle. Does your company benchmark pay to inflation? This would be a good question to ask. If you are able to negotiate certain parts, I would definitely ask for more accommodation money. You're not going to find anything decent for that amount. My one bedroom in West Bay is QR9500. I would also probably try to negotiate at least a 10 or 15 per cent raise on the basic salary. I am not pointing to anyone in particular here on this board when I say this, but some people - men especially - make a stupid amount of money here and they think they are all worth it. Pay packets go up a lot in this country if you have a family and kids - that is factored into people's contracts. As a single woman, this is a decent wage. If you want to get some experience in the region before heading to Dubai, it might be worth thinking about taking this option. Your call. <em>edited by katcalls on 24/09/2013</em>

Wait for a job in Dubai. I would never move here single especially compromising salary.The no objection certificates required from most employers ( and infrequently granted ) before you can switch jobs make it almost impossible to advance your career and earnings in Qatar. Unfortunately the good days when MIddle Eastern jobs were remunerated exceptionally well are over. Asian origin employees will work for less and so will Europes jobless . Qatar has a lot of money but aren't keen on parting with it. I agree wholeheartedly with this!

I'm an experienced teacher, single, living in Qatar with my son, and my salary is a fair bit less than what you're offered, although I get furnished accommodation and flights as part of my package,and I'm pretty happy here. I've bought a second-hand car for a good price and my monthly outgoings are quite low. It's an interesting place to work.

Wait for a job in Dubai. I would never move here single especially compromising salary.The no objection certificates required from most employers ( and infrequently granted ) before you can switch jobs make it almost impossible to advance your career and earnings in Qatar. Unfortunately the good days when MIddle Eastern jobs were remunerated exceptionally well are over. Asian origin employees will work for less and so will Europes jobless . Qatar has a lot of money but aren't keen on parting with it.

Thanks Ladies for such quick responses. After no word for almost 4 months suddenly things appear to be moving quite quickly. I don't have any children but would like to save so I'm very reluctant to accept the offer as is. I did ask for something in the region of 35-40 which was rejected- I'm unsure at this stage whether that is their final position or there is more wriggle room. Without giving away too much (small world!) Its a corporate position as opposed to provider based. The position itself is very interesting- but I know from previous experience that alone would not be enough to keep me happy long term. My question to those of you in the know would be whether it would be possible to move to a higher paying position in the future. Or would accepting such a low salary damage my log term job prospects? Ideally I would like to be based in Dubai so would work towards that long term. Accepting the offer: Con: the 28k would be the starting point you have to negotiate from when conducting a future interview (hopefully in Dubai) Pro: working in Qatar will give you local experience, that's regarded as a plus by employers in Dubai If you have a steady and good job in the UK: stay put and keep scanning vacancies in Dubai. If it's a bit shaky or if you'd like some adventure: you can accept the offer. My personal opinion would be to negotiate and ask for more.

Could you do it? Yes. Would I do it? No. Many people live on far less. If you're coming over here for a fantastic position and experience that you won't get anywhere else in the world, then it would be worth it. If you're coming here to save money and see some other parts of the world then it would not be nearly enough. One thing to keep in mind is it costs around QR7,000 to fly to the UK (return) on Qatar Airways (direct) so make sure you factor in any emergency trips/friends weddings etc where you might need to spend that sort of cash.

In my opinion, it is definitely not enough to live on comfortably and still put away some savings. For instance, rental on a one bedroomed apartment in a decent area (ie. one befitting a single lady) would be in the region of 9k per month. A small saloon type car would cost around 2800/mnth to rent. I think you were correct in adding 30% onto your UK salary as a guideline, that would have been a more realistic package. <em>edited by kimmc3 on 24/09/2013</em>

If you are relocating as a single woman , you could live on that salary in Qatar. It would not comfortably house ,feed and school a family . I personally think it low for your experience and would not move out unless it is a career advancement or economic necessity. It is pretty much identical to what would be offered to a graduate teacher and I thinlk you are worth more. Is it Sidra by any chance ?

Hi, If the Qatari offer is the same as your UK income, I wouldn't accept it. You need to keep 2 things in mind: 1. The cost of living in Qatar is high, so a chunk of your income would go directly to rent for example. 2. You need to have enough income to save a part. Remember: in Qatar you're not building any pension or putting any money into a retirement plan. So you need to do that yourself. I would say 30% on top of your UK salary would be a realistic figure to have in mind. Good luck.