The Middle East is hot all year round and so all public buildings tend to be well air-conditioned, and both men and women are expected to dress conservatively for most types of work. (In Saudi Arabia, Islamic dress code is compulsory.) Before moving to the Middle East, do some research into the traditions and customs of the Arabic culture as they do expect a standard of decorum from all members of society. It should also be noted that the bargaining prowess of an Arab businessman should never be underestimated!

But in actual fact this is not the case.  It doesn’t matter if you live elsewhere in the world, because the best place to start searching for jobs in Middle East is to look online.  In many areas you will actually have far less of a chance of getting a suitable job if you go to the country to look for one.  Researching everything you need to know online is by far the best way to begin.

The jobs are generally split into two broad types, so decide which type you are going to look for.  Some are as consultants to companies, whereas others are for positions within the companies themselves.  This latter example of jobs in Middle East is usually the one most people opt for.

You then need to decide if you have a preference to work in a particular region of the Middle East.  If you do, make sure you only search for jobs in this region.  Most websites will allow you to search for jobs in Middle East according to the sector you want to work in, as well as the area you want to focus on.  By narrowing down your choices you should find it easier to find your ideal position.

Dubai is a brilliantly vibrant, thriving society, a metropolis at the very heart of the Middle East but although respectful foreigners are generally welcomed and valued for the role they play in building and shaping the flourishing economy, they are not usually ultimately integrated into the population. As the government is naturally keen to protect the UAE’s sense of identity and certainly the cultural values system inherent in the Arabic way of life, foreigners will not be granted citizenship no matter how long they stay unless they marry a national and convert to Islam (and even that won’t guarantee citizenship). Other religions are tolerated with the exception of Israeli Jews (a long-standing political issue between nations). The majority of UAE citizens are Sunni Muslims with only very few Shi’a. Many foreigners are also Muslim, with Hindus and Christians comprising around 4% of the population.

The Gulf region has been the world’s leading producer of natural gas and oil for decades now, but with the burgeoning population of the area and its thriving economy, more and more people have been relocating there in order to find Gulf jobs.  With the population increase, the construction and real estate industries continue to grow and this has created an extra demand for power.

Today, the Persian Gulf region is one of the most desirable tourist destinations as well, which further enhances economic and population growth.  There are several key areas to consider in the region should you be seeking a new career overseas.  The most significant economic and population growth is occurring in the following areas:

- Abu Dhabi
- Bahrain
- Dubai
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia

However, there are other areas throughout the Middle East, Gulf region, and the UAE that also have some good career opportunities available.

As was mentioned above, the construction and real estate industries have witnessed significant growth.  Other career sectors featuring numerous job opportunities are the finance, healthcare, management, media, and telecommunications industries.  Any individual that is qualified and skilled in these job sectors will have a pretty good chance of landing a highly paid job and secure employment in the above mentioned areas.

Finding a job in a Middle Eastern country means you are going to be making promises to a potential employer or company regarding your job performance. Workers from Middle Eastern countries are generally far cheaper to employ than someone from a foreign country, but many companies are hiring foreigners for jobs in Middle East countries because the education in Western countries is in some ways superior, and individuals from Western countries have access to more job experience. If you are a person who is known to consistently meet deadlines and follow through on assignments, you put yourself in a better position for jobs in Middle East countries, regardless of whether they are Dubai oil jobs, IT jobs in Bahrain, or other areas of the job market. When you can prove to companies that you are in control no matter what the circumstances are, you become a valuable team member that will see consistent advancement in position as those promises are kept.

But while you might be able to find suitable jobs in Saudi Arabia that would use your current skills, you also need to think about how you would adapt to living in a country that is very different from your own.  It will not suit everyone, and as such it is always best to think about how you will cope with being in a foreign country.

Think about your family for example.  Even if you move out to Saudi with your partner and children, you will still be leaving many other people behind.  This doesn’t suit everyone.  Could you find jobs in Saudi Arabia and happily go out for a year or more without seeing the people back home?

Next you need to think about all the practicalities of living abroad.  What will you take with you?  What will you leave behind?  Are you planning for this to be a permanent move or do you simply want to look for jobs in Saudi Arabia that are offered on a short term contract?

It can help to visit online forums where other people wanting to make the same move congregate and discuss things together.  Some may already have jobs in Saudi Arabia, so you can learn from them too.

Finding a position can be the hardest part of the process but for those who are serious there are a few tips that can be followed to increase the chances of success.

Applicants who have a connection or good working knowledge of the region are usually favoured over those who do not, but this does not rule out those who do not.  Good networking skills are essential as this will be a major part of the work; technical details are usually taken care of elsewhere while the teams in the Middle East look after the clients. 

Good social skills are also a requirement as the teams are usually small and work very closely together.  The hours are long and applicants need to be able to get along easily with colleagues.  Work placements in the area are usually for a minimum period of around six months and the graduate will be expected to commit to this.

The positive side is the salary.  These placements are generally very well paid with accommodation allowances and other benefits as well.

Applicants who are already working for an investment bank may get the opportunity to work in the region via an internal transfer, so finding a job here first may be the easiest way to get a foot in the door.

A CV is extremely important when applying for jobs in the Middle East, because often times you will be residing in your home country while you are shopping your CV around looking for various jobs in Gulf countries. Most of the time you only have a few seconds in which to grab a person’s attention and leave them with a desire for more, which will then lead to an interview. Regardless of which type of job in Middle Eastern countries you are applying for, your CV needs to create a hook that reels the big fish in, in order for you to wrap the net around them and land the job of your dreams.

Companies hiring for jobs in Middle East countries, regardless of whether they are Dubai oil jobs, Qatar oil jobs, or Saudi IT jobs, regularly use CVs to determine whether or not an employee is potentially worth the investment, so make sure yours is as up-to-date and polished as it can possibly be.

In the first instance a work visit visa is usually issued to allow the applicant to enter the country and take up their employment.  They then complete the necessary paperwork whilst in the country with the help of their employer.

In order to obtain the correct visas and permits applicants must ensure that they have a passport which still has at least six months to run, birth certificate, marriage certificates and a medical certificate.  The fees which relate to work visas will be paid by the sponsoring company, though applicants may have to pay a small processing fee when they send in their documentation.  Information on fees and documentation required can be obtained from the website of the country’s embassy.

This can all be dealt with when you arrive in the country on a business or visitor visa.  Residency visas can run from one to three years. Those who may need to travel regularly may be able to obtain a multi-entry visa.  Applications for residence visas are made on arrival in Qatar and usually take around six weeks to come through.  Immediate family of the worker will also be issued with a residence visa under the same sponsorship as the worker.  

Long-term residence visas are subject to both medical and fingerprint examinations. Those staying long-term in Qatar must also have an identity card.  It is required documentation when dealing with all official issues.

Most large organisations who take on foreign workers will have somebody who is appointed to help them deal with the documentation and regulations and act as sponsor.  The cost of a Kuwait work permit or visa is usually met by the employer though applicants may have to pay a small processing fee when they send their details.  Information on relevant costs can be obtained from the embassy websites. 

Workers will need a passport which still has at least six months to run on it, marriage certificates and birth certificates.  Medical examinations are essential for all visa applications and a relevant certificate should be sent in with the visa application.

Anyone who is a GCC national or has the relevant documentation for residency in another GCC state may enter Kuwait without a visa.  Those who do need visas must arrange them before they arrive in the country.  People who arrive without visas are denied entry. 

In order to obtain a residence visa, applicants must first have an NOC, obtained by the sponsoring company from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour.  This should be sent to the Ministry of the Interior for a residence visa to be issued.  Applicants will then have to undergo another medical examination which includes an HIV test.  A Civil ID card can then be issued and workers will need to carry this with them at all times.