Anybody know what Du Telecom are like to work for?

I'm contemplating working in the UAE for a few years as a manager somewhere in the IT/Telecom fields.

Can anyone please tell me what Du Telecom are like to work? Are they great? Or do they suck? How do they treat expats?

Thanks.

[dizzyizzy]

I think Dean, a forum member, works for Du.

Dean? Are you there?

[gnomes]

What would you like to know? DU are only 2 yrs old so they are in their infancy, if you worked for startups before you can imagine how it is. Long hours, very tiring, no one wants to do anything, processes and procedures do not get adhered to, and finally as all corporates, the polotics, empires etc. How do they treat expats, well its full of expats. Im not on DU payroll as work as a freelancer consultant to them.

Originally Posted by gnomes

What would you like to know? DU are only 2 yrs old so they are in their infancy, if you worked for startups before you can imagine how it is. Long hours, very tiring, no one wants to do anything, processes and procedures do not get adhered to, and finally as all corporates, the polotics, empires etc. How do they treat expats, well its full of expats. Im not on DU payroll as work as a freelancer consultant to them.

Thanks. Sounds promising and that I'm well credentialed as I have stacks of experience working for miserably dysfunctional IT firms.

[gnomes]

its pretty disfunctional and miserable at times here too mate. Having worked in several large telcos, accross Europe and Asia, they are all much of muchness.

[dizzyizzy]

when i first got here I had a Du phone and it was bloody useless if I may say so. It didn't make the job hunting any easier! First I would need to find a "good" spot, as the slightest movement could put me away from the coverage zone and drop the calls. Eventually I realised the phone only had decent coverage outdoors, so would have to always walk out to the balcony, with my laptop and notes, and make my phonecalls from there, which is not lots of fun during the summer. Then there I was, having conversations with recruiters or potential employes, using fluffy words and selling myself and telling them how wonderful I am, only to realise that the call had dropped and I had been speaking to my imaginary friend for ages. It made me feel very silly which is not good for your confidence which is not good to search for jobs! So ppl looking for jobs: get a etislat phone!! :P

[Maz25]

Originally Posted by dizzyizzy

when i first got here I had a Du phone and it was bloody useless if I may say so. It didn't make the job hunting any easier! First I would need to find a "good" spot, as the slightest movement could put me away from the coverage zone and drop the calls. Eventually I realised the phone only had decent coverage outdoors, so would have to always walk out to the balcony, with my laptop and notes, and make my phonecalls from there, which is not lots of fun during the summer. Then there I was, having conversations with recruiters or potential employes, using fluffy words and selling myself and telling them how wonderful I am, only to realise that the call had dropped and I had been speaking to my imaginary friend for ages. It made me feel very silly which is not good for your confidence which is not good to search for jobs! So ppl looking for jobs: get a etislat phone!! :P

It's not only in Dubai that you get those kind of probs. I was with T-Mobile in the UK - checked their website and it said there was excellent network coverage in my area! Problem is that they forgot to mention that the network coverage was excellent only when I was hanging precariously out of my 4th floor window!!! Didn't make life easy when I had my phone interview. I had to sit still - any slight movement would have resulted in the phone cutting off!

[gforce23]

Originally Posted by Contemplator

I'm contemplating working in the UAE for a few years as a manager somewhere in the IT/Telecom fields.

Can anyone please tell me what Du Telecom are like to work? Are they great? Or do they suck? How do they treat expats?

Thanks.

Glad to have another telco expert on here. I've applied for a similar position at Du and Etisalat.

Have you applied to Etisalat yet? Du seems to have tons of senior engineering and mid-management jobs on their web site but they haven't gotten back to me yet. On the other hand, Etisalat contacted me within one week of applying though they are atrociously slow on providing updates.

Originally Posted by gforce23

Glad to have another telco expert on here. I've applied for a similar position at Du and Etisalat.

Have you applied to Etisalat yet? Du seems to have tons of senior engineering and mid-management jobs on their web site but they haven't gotten back to me yet. On the other hand, Etisalat contacted me within one week of applying though they are atrociously slow on providing updates.

Gidday

No, I haven't applied anywhere yet. My wife and I are in the early stages of contemplating a move to the UAE for work for a few years. If (more like when) I do start applying, I'll be seeking a mid-management role.

Our thoughts so far. We are leaning towards living in Dubai. And, from what I see, most of the Etisalat vacancies are in Abu Dhabi and most of the Du Telecom roles are in Dubai. From reading the posts, commuting between the two cities for work ain’t a great option. And, further, I gather the impression from this forum that the rent in Dubai is very expensive but that in Abu Dhabi the rents are insane. Thus, I’ve more been looking at Du Telecom roles.

But then I note Gnomes post in this thread. Sounds like Du Telecom is a tad shambolic but perhaps that is not too atypical for a telco. But then I read this pearl in the Core Competencies of the job description for the vacancy for the Support Manager that Du Telecom are advertising on their website – “Capable of working long hours and under stress” !!!! I’ve always worked longer hours but that line is enough to turn one’s **** to water.

That’s interesting about the Etisalat promptness. Was their initial response something substantive or was it just a “we’ve received your application and we will advise when we’re good and ready” type mail? Similarly, have their updates been substantive?

How long have you been waiting on Du Telecom? Doesn’t sound good.

And do you know how they (either Etisalat or Du Telecom) structure their remuneration? From what I read on this forum, one has have accommodation costs factored in or you’ll get slaughtered financially.

Could you please keep me posted as to how things progress? I’m exceptionally interested.

Thanks

[DesertStranded]

Originally Posted by Contemplator

But then I read this pearl in the Core Competencies of the job description for the vacancy for the Support Manager that Du Telecom are advertising on their website – “Capable of working long hours and under stress” !!!! I’ve always worked longer hours but that line is enough to turn one’s **** to water.

Actually, every JD I read out here says you need to work well under stress.

So what makes you want to move to Dubai if you don't mind my asking?