Anybody know what Du Telecom are like to work for?

[nm62]

Well worked for etisalat as an out source staff.
I am also waiting for that 'call' after submitting my documents.
Actually it was suppose to be in August but got delay
but now it seems they have again waken up.
I am very well aware of the company.

Just another tip if you are shifting to Dubai
bring your family after few months (3 months atleast)
do not cut all your roots back home immediately
as offer letter/ sponsership/ visa/ salary is not enough
you get another letter after sometime
before that you are on probation
and i have seen many who get terminated or
get an extension on the probation period (various reason, eg. degree not recognized, not attested properly, not able to settle down due to high discrimination/racialism culture )
then life becomes tough as you are hanging in between with the family.
but do let me know if you get a call for interview.
one more thing they take a long time to give the offer letter initially as it has to get approved from many places (senior management).
You will not get it before end of february if earliestttt possible it will be end of january .

[gforce23]

Thanks for the words of wisdom.

Anyhow, I just found a friend of a friend who's at Du in Dubai. I'm going to try and elicit some information about their hiring practices since this is all getting a bit too tiring.

[gforce23]

Has anyone thought of applying to other telcos in the region - BatelCo (Bahrain) and Qtel (Qatar) perhaps?
I'm also toying with the idea of reconnecting with some old firms who have a presence in the Gulf - Cisco, for example, has a lot of stuff in KSA while Huawei might have a couple of jobs in the AE.

[nm62]

Try thuraya in UAE

[gforce23]

A glimmer of hope - Du's interested in setting up an interview sometime this week. This might be interesting.

P.S.: Don't quote me on this but a little birdie dropped some juicy tidbits about a couple of managerial positions that are available in a group headed by someone named Ken. I'm trying to get more details from an acquaintance and shall pass 'em along.

Good luck. That's a good sign if they're still actively seeking new employees

[gforce23]

Originally Posted by Contemplator

Good luck. That's a good sign if they're still actively seeking new employees

Thanks. I'll PM the details if I can find a reliable contact at the firm.
Oh, and I've received an offer from Etisalat via e-mail. Still trying to work out the details but it's looking pretty good at the moment.

EDIT: Just got notified of my start date at Etisalat if I were to accept the offer. February '09 sounds decent enough.

Well done on the Etisalat offer! Particularly as it is a good one. AD or Dubai or somewhere else?

[BadaBing]

I would still be careful about switching jobs at this point though. Particularly here in the UAE as hiring freezes can be put in place at any time in the current situation. Even if you have been offered a job, if you have not started, the offer may be withdrawn if a hiring freeze is put in place. Even if you are hired they may not choose to let you continue after the probationary period. I do know for a fact that regardless of their financial position, Etisalat has started to tighten their belt and internally rumors of a hiring freeze abound.

[nm62]

Hi BadaBing
Yes i have recently read an article (section was ask law) that a semi government gave a call to a person to sign the contract, instructed him to resign from previous company, cancel visa and immediately submit passport to them for visa process.
The next day that person received a call saying that they will not be able to recruit him due to economic turndown.
That person was advised to go to court as the employer had signed the contract. It was a mutually accepted contract and they cannot terminate him. And meanwhile he cannot work anywhere else.
But i do agree on that probation part, once you have joined, employer can terminate you on any reason. the probation period is meant for 'trial period'.
It is painful i know few going through this situation but their is always the positive side to everything.