Engineers... Comment please.

[daniel0331]

Hi all,

I realised that this is a very popular forum and people are helpful so I shall not be stingy in firing some questions.

I'm a structural engineer and have 5 years experience in UK. Will be taking my part 1 IStructE review this October. Currently I'm doing more on the technical side such as 3D modelling, structural analysis, spreadsheet etc.

I have just been approached by an agent and this is what she offered.

Salary: 21'000 AED
Living Allowance: 8'000 AED
Car Allowance: 2'000 AED

1) Can all the engineers in Dubai give some suggestion please? Is this a decent package?

2) I know the accommodation is rocket high there and I don't know if this is sufficient for me to survive.

3) Can anyone with a similar experience provide some advise?

Please... all comments appreciated. Thank you.

Regards,
Daniel Lim

[Ogri750]

If you are single, then probably do-able.

If the agent approached you, you are in a decent bargaining position. They want you.

Hold out for more, contact other recruiters etc

[daniel0331]

Thank you for your reply.

I will bring my wife too. Do you think this deal is sufficient? Or shall I negotiate more? What else more I could ask for?

[Ogri750]

If you are coming as a couple, I would certainly be asking for more.

The salary is about on par I suppose, but you could go for higher housing, car, medical, flights, gratuities etc.

Tell them that the offer is short of the mark, see if they come back with anything..........other than that, go straight for the jugular and tell them what you want.

Bear in mind, property prices here for rental are stupidly high. The company I work for owns some properties in Dubai Investment Park and rents them to employees on a subsidised basis. A 3 bed for 100K. Shame for me that they are full at the moment.

Prices vary area to area, but a rough guide could be a 2 bed apartment for around 125K but in International City, you'll get one cheaper but travel further. I've been lucky enough to find a furnished 2 bed place in Arabian Ranches for 140k, bit more than I wanted to pay, but won't need to ship out all my stuff and can rent my place in the UK as furnished now.

[daniel0331]

Thanks for your reply, Ogri750.

I didn't know that companies do offer cheaper accommodation for their employees. It seems that you're very fortunate and you must enjoy yourself there.

That seems like a good deal. Do you know if engineering consultancies offer this deal too?

[Ogri750]

I wouldn't take it as the usual that companies offer accomodation. It will certainly depend on the company.

Hi

I guess with 5 yrs of work exp. you can certainly negotiate more on salary and importantly the agent approached you so chances are bright.

[daniel0331]

Thanks for your reply rubyduby.

Shall I ask more on salary or perhaps I should ask more on living allowance? Do employers provide additional fuel allowance? Or it's meant to be part of the car allowance package?

[Elphaba]

Always get your actual salary up higher as that is what your end of service gratuity is calculated on, not any allowances.

[MGYoung]

hi there,

Salary looks about average. As to whether or not you can live comfortably it all depends on your outgoings back in the UK. I'm moving out to Dubai next month and my overall salary package is good but bear in mind that I will still be paying my mortgage, council tax, home and contents insurance, etc for my property back in the UK. I am a Chartered Civil Engineer with 11 years experience since graduating. Drop me a PM if you want more info.

All the best.

Martin.