Working in Dubai - Anyone Done It?

StuTheDon

hieveryone wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm seriously considering applying to work in Dubai after this school year is finished, has anyone had any experience of this? Not necessarily in teaching, just general working there.

For example, as I am a young (ish!), single woman, is there anything to be aware of in taking up employment there? The general rule of thumb in teaching jobs there is that they are offered on 2 year contracts, with an apartment given to you rent free - this seems too good to be true, any catches that anyone can foresee?

Thanks!

Hi - yes, I have just spent 3 years working there and have just returned to the UK.

It is normal out there for the company to provide you with accomodation. Even a one bedroom flat in a reasonable area of town will cost you approx 100,000 AED (£20k) per year in rent, so I would not even consider going if they dont provide it.

Some things there are cheap, like petrol, but others like eating out is very expensive. Food is expensive too as is schooling ironically.

It is funny because when we told people we were moving out there everyone was saying you'll be loaded living tax free etc. Items in the malls and shops (like electronics etc) are 10-20% more expensive than the UK.

Overall I really enjoyed it, but it is a frustrating place to live at times. You need an alcohol license to have booze at home, and it is extremely expensive - £20 for a bottle of wine that is £3 in Asda!

Also, as a young single female, you would not be allowed to live with a guy unless you are married to him - although plenty people do it anyway.

If you want any specific advise please PM me or post here.

hieveryone

StuTheDon - thanks, some useful information there!
Most of the jobs I have looked at say that they provide accomodation so that's not too bad - they also offer yearly flights home too, so seems quite reasonable.

Incidentally you mention schooling being expensive, I am looking to go out to work as a teacher. Drinking isn't a big thing to me, neither will living with a guy as I'm single!

Not sure if you will know this but some of the forums mention that the companies will usually pay your expenses for travelling to Dubai for interviews, was this the case in your experience?

Thanks again!

minimoneysaver

Not sure if you will know this but some of the forums mention that the companies will usually pay your expenses for travelling to Dubai for interviews, was this the case in your experience?

Ooooh quite fancy a couple of days on Dubai.... anyone fancy going for a job interview, cough, cough!

samr_2

Have you tried the TES forum?

http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/64.aspx

hieveryone

Found some jobs on TES actually, and thinking I should probably go with them as surely they will have had to be checked out etc? Looks like it could end up being a bit of a minefield. Will check out the forums, thanks!

dan_essex

go for it, you won't know if you don't try!

StuTheDon

hieveryone wrote: »

StuTheDon - thanks, some useful information there!
Most of the jobs I have looked at say that they provide accomodation so that's not too bad - they also offer yearly flights home too, so seems quite reasonable.

Incidentally you mention schooling being expensive, I am looking to go out to work as a teacher. Drinking isn't a big thing to me, neither will living with a guy as I'm single!

Not sure if you will know this but some of the forums mention that the companies will usually pay your expenses for travelling to Dubai for interviews, was this the case in your experience?

Thanks again!

Hi - I'm not aware of companies paying to fly you out for interviews unless it is for a senior/executive role. To be honest with you, I'd plan to fly out for a week or two on you own cost and setup some interviews whilst there - it is almost impossible to do from the UK.

Annual flights home is common, as is a transportation allowance (i.e. for a car).

One other consideration is electricity bills - these can be extortionate in the summer as it rarely goes below 40C - so you need full time AC and this costs.

Also beware - there are a lot of scam recruitment companies there - anyone asking for an upfront fee then walk away.

We were able to save a lot of money out there as we limited ourselves to going out for meals/drinks etc twice a month. A lot of british expats are getting too used to the celebrity lifestyle and are running up large credit card debts now. You need to bear in mind that debt is a criminal offence in the UAE so if you get into debt, and try to do a runner, you'll be arrested at the airport.

You'll have a great time out there - there is a great single scene and it is so easy to make friends because everyone is in the same boat. Your best bet is try to socialise with one or two folks and you'll find your social circle expands quickly. Try to steer away from some of the forums as you get a lot of sleazebags on there - especially if you mention you are a single young lady :rolleyes:

Stu