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Best Tips for Working in Gulf

If you're thinking of working in the Gulf, then these tips are for you. There is a huge amount on offer in many Gulf countries, but you are moving thousands of miles from home, and there are issues to think about and challenges that lie ahead. These are the key things you should consider.

Get a job before you come

Easier said than done, but empirical evidence suggests that your terms and conditions will be better. Plus you'll get relocation expenses.

Be targeted

Find out which companies you want to work for, and write a focused letter to those organisations with clearly defined reasons/ways you can be of value.

Look beyond salary

While expatriate benefits may not be as generous as they once were, they are still offered in many industries at a senior level, and don't ask, don't get. Areas of help you should ask for: medical, schooling, housing. There is a move to incorporate this into salaries, but with rents and schooling costs rocketing, a commitment to both will provide you with considerably greater security.

Get the contract

If you are offered a job, find out about the contract. Is it standard? Be clear about what is offered, and expected, and what is not.

Speak to other people in the company

Before accepting an offer, ask to be able to speak to people in similar positions to you to make sure the reality matches what you are being sold.

The first year

The first year in any new city is difficult; you'll be experiencing a new job, a new country and a new city. Don't expect to feel at home and happy immediately - rarely in life is there an immediate pay off - you'll need to put in some investment and plant roots.

Forget the word

‘should'You'll be coming to a different country - expect things to work in ways that you don't expect, and without logic you understand. There are two ways that you can approach this: try to do things your way, and end up banging your head against the wall in frustration, and eventually leaving. Two; flow around the rock, get used it and make it work for you.