Looking to relocate...few questions

[Shinjuku]

Hi all!
I'm contemplating relocating to UAE (been an expat in UK for 10 years & think its time for a new challenge) and been reading the forum (really helpful...up to page 25 now), but have a couple of questions:

1. What's the work-life balance like? I'm a Chartered civil engineer (in consultancy) and while i have the occasional 50+ hour week, my employer is pretty respectful of my personal time. So while i don't mind bit of hard work, i don't wish to be 'all work and no play' Jack.

2. Is there any diffence between offers for Dubai and Abu Dhabi e.g. higher accommodation allowance for AD than Dubai?

3. How long does it take from start of job search to job start. I know this may vary hugely between people, but will like to hear your experiences.

Will limit myself to just 3 for now. No doubt will have loads more coming
Any responses will be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Maz25]

If you go through a recruitment agency, you will ultimately be the one who tells them when you are available and they will then put you in contact with employers looking to recruit people within your specified timescale.

It really depends on your availability and the timescale that the employer is working to; some want you to start asap whilst others are prepared to give you up to 2 months before you start work. I did my interview in mid June and managed to negotiate a start date at the beginning of September. Ultimately, you have to decide on your availability but from experience, I can say that the sooner you are available, then the better!!

Typically, the working hours in Dubai is 48hrs a week (according to UAE labour law) but it really depends on the employer. I think that if you are site-based, you will be expected to work something close to or above that. I'm a quantity surveyor and my contract is for 40hrs but there is also a clause in there about doing night work, weekend work and overtime when required! Since you work in consultancy and provided you keep on working for a consultant, then it might be closer to 40hrs but ultimately this will be confirmed in your contract. I think that it will all come down to the employer and what the role you take up requires.

I'm not sure that there is a difference in the accommodation allowance. I think your accommodation allowance would be more likely to be affected by your marital status. Obviously, if you are married, it might be higher compared to that received by a single person. The company I currently work for (jumping ship when I come out to Dubai) calculates accommodation allowance based on your marital status and it doesn't really matter to them whether they send you to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The accommodation allowance they offer is also affected by your role - the more senior you are, the more money they offer!!!

Good luck with the job hunt!

[okos12]

Hi Shinjuku, my daughter works for a huge company in Dubai from 7a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and she told me that exactly at 3:30 everybody leaves. Never over time.

From the time she applied and started it took 6 weeks, but she was already working in Dubai. Cancoling the old work visa and getting the new was no problem. Also no problem registering the car, the insurence company will do it for a small fee.

I been to Dubai a few times, and I find the traffic is the most challenging, and second the heat in the summer. We drove to Oman and had a lot of fun, we flew to Yemen and that was great also. Would love to go to Saudi, but getting visa for Americans seems difficoult, the same for Syria. Coming from England you will love the sun, not to mention the food. It is so good. I like Lebanise best.
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