Moving to Qatar (or another Middle Eastern Country) for work

[AmirGSXR]

My wife and I have been thinking about moving to the middle East to a country like Qatar. We both have senior roles in our respective fields and are highly qualified etc.

Does anyone have any relevant experience or insight they can share about the process of applying for jobs over there? My understanding is that a recruitment agent is the best approach to take.

[GT03ROB]

The best approach is nearly always through your existing employer if possible.

2nd will be via existing contacts you have.

Finally going through recruitment companies or directly to companies. Depending on your field there are likely to be recruitment companies which will specialise in the region & these companies should always be first port of call in my opinion after you've exhausted the previous 2 options.

[StevieBee]

Before applying (or alongside) you also need to establish if life in the ME is for you both. For some it's brilliant. For others, it's horrid. There seems to be no middle ground. I looked and determined it wasn't for me but there's plenty for whom it's worked out well.

[shirt]

Post on the Middle East forum, there are a few Dubai based PHers work in recruitment.

[mmmunch]

I'm going out for my second time at the end of January.

Was out 3 years ago with the airline, and to be fair, hadn't really considered it again until I had a call direct from the company.

I was a little hesitant, but (un)fortunately the money this time is life changing, and just too good not to turn down. It's a different way of life for sure, but I'm purely approaching it as 18 months to pay off my mortgage and clear all debt (maybe 12if they pay the bonus that's in my contract..)

[Cimaguy]

mmmunch said:

I'm going out for my second time at the end of January.

Was out 3 years ago with the airline, and to be fair, hadn't really considered it again until I had a call direct from the company.

I was a little hesitant, but (un)fortunately the money this time is life changing, and just too good not to turn down. It's a different way of life for sure, but I'm purely approaching it as 18 months to pay off my mortgage and clear all debt (maybe 12if they pay the bonus that's in my contract..)

What do you do?

[RC1807]

You both really need to see if life in the ME is for you.
I keep being approached about roles in Riyadh, by the same agency. I've told them time and again it's really not for me. *shudders*

[Prisoner 24601]

RC1807 said:

You both really need to see if life in the ME is for you.
I keep being approached about roles in Riyadh, by the same agency. I've told them time and again it's really not for me. *shudders*

Riyadh is catching up and trying to change, but there is still a huge difference between KSA and Qatar, and then a huge difference again between Qatar and UAE.

If you are childless i would say a move to Qatar or UAE would be very good for most couples. Good restaurants and bars, good hotels where you pay on a Saturday morning say £60 and lay by their luxurious pools and facilities all day sunning yourself. Also centrally located so once a month you can be in dozens of interesting and different locations on holiday.

[z4RRSchris]

i would do oman, AbuD or Dubai.

Wouldnt touch the rest.