Working abroad? - Middle east?
Discussion
Hi all
Lots of useful advice on this forum. I have the urge to go and work abroad for a bit. I can’t help but think it’s a little late on – I’m 31, married with a baby. I’ve built a career in Internal Audit over the last few years. I work as a Senior Manager in Internal Audit within Financial Services. I would really like to go and work in Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Middle East.
This want is primarily driven by the opportunity to earn more money, but I also would like to travel a bit. I was born in Leeds, studied in Leeds and worked in Leeds (where I still work now). I've never really had the travel bug until now but the little one is really making me think.
What is the best way to find roles abroad? I’ve tried sites like Bayt and GulfTalent, but I get the feeling that they’re more for locals. A lot of roles specify that you have to be an Emirati citizen.
Is working abroad overrated? Do you have any experiences of working in the middle east?
The bug is really to get away and work somewhere far, I’ve also looked at Jersey. Any fellow Internal Auditors here?
Lots of useful advice on this forum. I have the urge to go and work abroad for a bit. I can’t help but think it’s a little late on – I’m 31, married with a baby. I’ve built a career in Internal Audit over the last few years. I work as a Senior Manager in Internal Audit within Financial Services. I would really like to go and work in Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Middle East.
This want is primarily driven by the opportunity to earn more money, but I also would like to travel a bit. I was born in Leeds, studied in Leeds and worked in Leeds (where I still work now). I've never really had the travel bug until now but the little one is really making me think.
What is the best way to find roles abroad? I’ve tried sites like Bayt and GulfTalent, but I get the feeling that they’re more for locals. A lot of roles specify that you have to be an Emirati citizen.
Is working abroad overrated? Do you have any experiences of working in the middle east?
The bug is really to get away and work somewhere far, I’ve also looked at Jersey. Any fellow Internal Auditors here?
I don't know your sector but is there scope to do what you do on a consultancy basis?
If so, this can be a good way to test the waters - work a few weeks somewhere, then somewhere else...
The notion of relocating to a new country can seem appealing but often the reality is very different. And it's not for everyone.
Working on international consultancy projects gives you the chance to experience the reality before making the leap.
If so, this can be a good way to test the waters - work a few weeks somewhere, then somewhere else...
The notion of relocating to a new country can seem appealing but often the reality is very different. And it's not for everyone.
Working on international consultancy projects gives you the chance to experience the reality before making the leap.
Worth exploring for you perhaps, but expat ME roles are not as plentiful as they used to be, and not as well rewarded, in both pay and allowances paid for accommodation etc. As said maybe find a UK recruiter for overseas roles, or find someone tame in a company with an overseas practice that you can have a chat with.
TeamBigfoot said:
I’m 31, married with a baby.
Is working abroad overrated? Do you have any experiences of working in the middle east?
I've spent time working on projects in Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Saudi, Lebanon, Oman. Never as an ex-pat but for periods of time and often working with ex-pats. Enjoyed them all and of those listed, I'd say Oman would be the place I'd choose to be for any length of time.Is working abroad overrated? Do you have any experiences of working in the middle east?
There are many virtues in living and working in these places but these are dependent upon the type of person you are and the stage in your life where you're at. If you'd said you were 21 and single, I'd be saying go for it. But with a wife and baby, you really need to stop and think. Healthcare and schooling all come at a price. The heat can keep you locked in doors at times. And many places don't do social integration too well so your social network will all be ex-pats.
If you're looking for that Middle Eastern thing but with a more European approach, then take a look at Cyprus (north or south) which affords easy entry to Brits and has a very 'British culture' about the place.
I'm off to Doha (Qatar) first week of Jan to start a new role. Wife and daughter will come out for a bit in Feb with the plan to join me full time in April.
The plus points are the tax free salary, and package that goes with it (schooling, car, housing, medical etc ). My wife will be able to work under my visa if she chooses to. However one of the plus points for us all are the generous travel concessions we get, and given the location we are ideally placed to do more travelling further afield.
I'm lucky that I've worked previously in Hong Kong and Australia (but without the family) and have regretted it (in that they missed out on seeing some very interesting places), so when I was approached for this role it was going to be clear it was an all or nothing move.
For info my daughter is 13 so harder for her to make the move, whereas it should be easier given the age of yours, however, I'm sure the grand parents will have more to say on that (my parents especially)..
Some advice given to me on one of my previous threads was listen to those who have done it, not those who haven't.
J
The plus points are the tax free salary, and package that goes with it (schooling, car, housing, medical etc ). My wife will be able to work under my visa if she chooses to. However one of the plus points for us all are the generous travel concessions we get, and given the location we are ideally placed to do more travelling further afield.
I'm lucky that I've worked previously in Hong Kong and Australia (but without the family) and have regretted it (in that they missed out on seeing some very interesting places), so when I was approached for this role it was going to be clear it was an all or nothing move.
For info my daughter is 13 so harder for her to make the move, whereas it should be easier given the age of yours, however, I'm sure the grand parents will have more to say on that (my parents especially)..
Some advice given to me on one of my previous threads was listen to those who have done it, not those who haven't.
J
If the main reason is money then yes do it if you get the chance. Don't have anyone tell you what great places they are as there is nothing great about them
These countries don't do human rights and it is very easy to land in deep trouble if you aren't careful, keep yourself to yourself, don't mix with the natives outside of work
Bringing your partner and child/children out with you could be a big mistake, thinking about freedom and all that
Money...It's all about money, the problem is that many of the Middle East countries now prefer cheap labour from Asia
I think the Middle East is the pits but have only worked in Saudi
These countries don't do human rights and it is very easy to land in deep trouble if you aren't careful, keep yourself to yourself, don't mix with the natives outside of work
Bringing your partner and child/children out with you could be a big mistake, thinking about freedom and all that
Money...It's all about money, the problem is that many of the Middle East countries now prefer cheap labour from Asia
I think the Middle East is the pits but have only worked in Saudi
Penelope Stopit said:
If the main reason is money then yes do it if you get the chance. Don't have anyone tell you what great places they are as there is nothing great about them
I think the Middle East is the pits but have only worked in Saudi
But Saudi is about the pittiest place. UAE, Oman etc are much more liveable.I think the Middle East is the pits but have only worked in Saudi
Op check the middle east section of this forum, it's full of information and maybe even post a thread up for some real answers from some fellow PH'ers out there currently.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...
mmmunch said:
I'm off to Doha (Qatar) first week of Jan to start a new role. Wife and daughter will come out for a bit in Feb with the plan to join me full time in April.
The plus points are the tax free salary, and package that goes with it (schooling, car, housing, medical etc ). My wife will be able to work under my visa if she chooses to. However one of the plus points for us all are the generous travel concessions we get, and given the location we are ideally placed to do more travelling further afield.
I'm lucky that I've worked previously in Hong Kong and Australia (but without the family) and have regretted it (in that they missed out on seeing some very interesting places), so when I was approached for this role it was going to be clear it was an all or nothing move.
For info my daughter is 13 so harder for her to make the move, whereas it should be easier given the age of yours, however, I'm sure the grand parents will have more to say on that (my parents especially)..
Some advice given to me on one of my previous threads was listen to those who have done it, not those who haven't.
J
I was moved long distances due to my father's job when I was 4, 11 and 14. Go to a new place, make new friends, get settled in, move...The plus points are the tax free salary, and package that goes with it (schooling, car, housing, medical etc ). My wife will be able to work under my visa if she chooses to. However one of the plus points for us all are the generous travel concessions we get, and given the location we are ideally placed to do more travelling further afield.
I'm lucky that I've worked previously in Hong Kong and Australia (but without the family) and have regretted it (in that they missed out on seeing some very interesting places), so when I was approached for this role it was going to be clear it was an all or nothing move.
For info my daughter is 13 so harder for her to make the move, whereas it should be easier given the age of yours, however, I'm sure the grand parents will have more to say on that (my parents especially)..
Some advice given to me on one of my previous threads was listen to those who have done it, not those who haven't.
J
Even now, 45 years later, I still resent it, especially the move when I was 14. The older you get, the harder it is, and unless it's just for a year or two before moving back to the same place in the UK, friendships here will unavoidably wither and die as people mature and change. It also becomes ever harder to fit in to new groups, as they've generally known each other from a much younger age, and have the sort of relationship that comes with growing up together that you just can't mimic coming in at that age.
It has had a pretty significant impact on me ever since, in that I struggle to invest in building friendships beyond a completely superficial level, as I still now can't help thinking that it's all going to get ripped away for some reason, so I'm better off not putting the effort in in the first place.
I hope it works out well for your daughter, but it's something I wouldn't do to my kids for all the money in the world.
Thanks for the input guys. I'll check out the Middle East forum.
The initial idea was to go for a couple of years, get the experience, save some £££ and pay off a chunk of our UK mortgage/save. By that time my little boy will be 4. I've applied to a couple of roles in Bahrain and Dubai. I've heard nothing back yet but its early days I suppose.
Senior roles within Internal Audit are a little thin on the ground from what I've seen (this is usual as people in senior roles within this profession don't really tend to leave). I will keep searching and applying.
I'm excited by the thought of it all. Thanks for all your replies so far.
The initial idea was to go for a couple of years, get the experience, save some £££ and pay off a chunk of our UK mortgage/save. By that time my little boy will be 4. I've applied to a couple of roles in Bahrain and Dubai. I've heard nothing back yet but its early days I suppose.
Senior roles within Internal Audit are a little thin on the ground from what I've seen (this is usual as people in senior roles within this profession don't really tend to leave). I will keep searching and applying.
I'm excited by the thought of it all. Thanks for all your replies so far.
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