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The Emirates / DNATA jobs thread

1M views 3K replies 611 participants last post by  humbles356 
#1 ·
Hi All,

This is my first post here at expatforums. Thanks for this opportunity.

I am looking forward to relocate to UAE. Recently, I have been offered a job with Emirates/Dnata Operations for a Grade 08 position. I have been given some of the best benefits I could ask for. However, my base salary is yet to be discussed!

My question is,
1. What kind of Base salary can I ask for? provided the benefits include housing, travel allowance, medical insurance for family , education allowance, annual airfare for family, profit sharing, concessional tickets etc.

2. what is it like working for Dnata? Is the environment healthy there? I dont want to leave one not-so impressive place to another not-so impressive place. Hence.

3. Recruitment process?

Thanks in advance for the help. I have read all previous posts related to emirates/dnata. but they haven't helped much, so this post comes.
 
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#2 ·
Well if you've been offered the job you should know about the recruitment process.

If it is at all possible you should go for a greade 9, the difference is immense (business class, school fees and a lot more money).

I was a grade 9 in 2005 and my package was around 35k if I recall, that included 10k for housing.

Profit sharing was x number of weeks, BUT you had to be employed for a full calender year on (i think) 1 July to get it, so if you start on 2 July this year you wont get it until August 2014.

If I recall housing for a grade 9 is now 200k/year, but they do like it if you stay in their apartments instead.

I know that grade 8-9 is a massive jump, and around a third more money.

What's it like to work there? Frustrating, too many ivory castles being built.
 
#3 ·
Thanks so much Toon for the info provided.

I have read on other forums also that instead of a Grade 8, I should ask for a Grade 9. I find it very weird to ask to upgrade even before joining and performing. What I mean is, is it normal to generally ask for an up-Grade!?

I do have Housing or housing allowance 7500AED /month, and again there seems to be a huge difference between a 200K/year (approx 16K/month) for Grade 9 and grade 8.

Too many ivory castles is not a very good thing. However, I have heard from many people that emirates is one of the best airlines to work with! I do get to read quite contrasting opinions from various forums. So, I am assuming that the situation may not be too good nor too bad!

Thanks once again.
 
#6 ·
Thanks basc for the info.

All this sounds very unusual. So, I see that a Grade 9 is an obviously better option than settling/accepting a Grade 8.

I don't know whether its ok/safe/normal to disclose the job title here, but the job is that of a 'Controller' in their Business Support function. If that can help?

Thanks in advance.
 
#7 ·
A BSG Controller (grade 8) reports into a BSG Manager (grade 9). So unless you kill off your hiring manager to free up his position, you can't negotiate to be a 9.

But, and I am sorry to say, as you're Indian I think it would be highly unlikely that you would be hired directly as a 9 - unless you have extensive Western experience.
 
#8 ·
basc, that was mean!! :boxing::)

What's it got to do with being Indian? Irrespective of nationality, if someone is capable, he/she is fit for the position and title and grade! While, I do agree, this kind of racist measure exists in the middle east, yet that does not completely marginalize someone's expertise, whether Indian or western.

I see that you changed your 'originally from' from Ireland to UAE. :) Any reasons for that??

Thanks anyway for all the info. Greatly appreciated. These insights will definitely help me during my next interaction with the recruiters.
 
#12 ·
Hiii

Just an update!

I gave my online interview through skype and the results are expected second week of July! Seems the recruitment process is looong!

They said there would be an assessment following an interview the next day, for which they would be inviting me if successful. Any feedback on what would be the assessment like? And what would be this interview again? My skype interview was a technical one with 2 interviewers from my department and the HR lady. So, Im assuming the final interview would be a negotiation table?

More importantly, I would like to know more about the assessment? Any pointers friends?
 
#17 ·
Hi Mavericksam

did you hear back from Emirates? maybe you can help me out as you applied for a non cabin crew job! I only see info for Flight Attendant & Pilot hiring process for Emirates Airline. I recently applied for a position for them in their Flight Networks department and I ended up getting a call from HR last week. She asked a few questions about myself and then told me she will now move my resume on to the next step. I was a little confused because does this mean they will call for another interview if someone in the department likes me or do they call me to go to Dubai for further processing? I would be grateful if someone can provide more info on how the Corporate/Operations Hiring process works in Emirates Airlines?

thanks!
 
#13 ·
Emirates Airlines Hiring Process

Hello folks, was wondering if someone can help me out. I only see info for Flight Attendant & Pilot hiring process for Emirates Airline. I recently applied for a position for them in their Flight Networks department and I ended up getting a call from HR last week. She asked a few questions about myself and then told me she will now move my resume on to the next step. I was a little confused because does this mean they will call for another interview if someone in the department likes me or do they call me to go to Dubai for further processing? I would be grateful if someone can provide more info on how the Corporate/Operations Hiring process works in Emirates Airlines?

Thanks!
 
#18 ·
They will probably pass your details to the department actually recruiting the position. You may get a call from someone in that area to have a chat about your experience. (This is what happened with me) If they are interested in you they will call you to Dubai for an assessment day ( for me thus was a presentation, group discussion/workshop and a role play). If you pass the assessment day, (and be warned most don't!!) then you'll get called back the next day for psychometric tests and an interview. Interview is the easiest part of the whole process!!!!
 
#19 ·
Thanks suzimack! So did you ever get the job? What dept did you apply for? Also can you tell me a little bit about the assessment day? Sorry for the queries but any help I can get would be awesome. The lady from HR told me that it might take a few weeks to hear back from them again as it is Ramadan and things move a little slower!

Thanks again!
 
#20 ·
Yes I got the job. I'm in IT as a Business Analyst.
The assessment day is quite unusual, at least in my experience (which admittedly is limited, having been with my previous company for 14 years). I was told to report at 10, was put into a room for an hour and told I had to prepare a presentation ( they supplied the topic - relevant to the job applied for) . I was given access to PowerPoint to prepare slides, but no Internet. I then had an hour to myself, and cane back to a awaiting room full of other people! I was called out as part if a group of four, and we were taken to a room in front of a panel, given a situation scenario and given 10 minutes as s group to decide what we would do. We then had to explain to the panel our decision and why!!!
I should explain that I knew nothing about any if these people, and had never net them before! When we all sat outside after this, I discovered they were all here for sales jobs, baring little relation to mine!!
After more waiting the 2 men in the group were called (separately) into a room, and told they were unsuccessful!
I was asked into another room, and given a role play scenario, with 10 minutes to prepare. After the role play ended, I was told I was successful, and would be coming back for an interview the next day!
On leaving, I discovered the other lady in my 'group' had also been unsuccessful, and told not to come back the next day!!
All in all it was a very long, very strange day, and I'm really not sure what they were looking for!
Oh and if you do get through, expect a couple of hours of psychometric tests too!!
 
#22 ·
bangloboy said:
Great thanks! Yes I would think they would do assessments with relation to the job you are applying for! Well thanks for all the tidbits and it means a lot! Hopefully we will meet on the other side one day! cheers!
You also need to be prepared to wait, for just about everything.... nothing moves quickly, especially as its Ramadan!
Good luck with the job!!
 
#23 ·
Yup it seems i'm just going to have to be a little patient till Ramadan ends and fingers crossed hopefully hear back from them. It's always been a dream to work for Emirates (have flown with them numerous times & visited Dubai) so looking forward to it and hopefully everything works out! I am assuming you still work for them? Are they good employers?
 
#26 ·
I was contacted by email informing me that I was pre-selected for a skype interview which was scheduled for 18th June.
Thereafter, I was shortlisted to be called to Dubai for a 2-day comprehensive interview scheduled on 11 and 12th July. They arrange for the tickets and accomodation to Dubai on the scheduled day and time. You have to take note that you don't quite have a choice of re-scheduling the dates as they are pre-decided by Emirates and freezed for many many other interviews for various positions. I had to discontinue my vacation in Kashmir (India) with my family, to be on time for the Dubai interview, as they couldn't change the dates of Assessment.

Once to reach Dubai, Emirates staff arrange everything for you and the whole customs process is quick.

First day is the Assessment Day and second day is the Final Interview. I went through a similar process as suzimack who gave you all the details.

I was contacted after two weeks thereafter by email where they sent me a preliminary package for review. After some negotiations, they sent me an offer letter in first week of August. Regarding negotiations, although you can negotiate, there isn't much scope for increasing your basic, I beleive. rest of the stuff/benfits are awesome for that Grade.

I would be receiving my Contract soon to be signed and sent to them so they can proceed with the rest of the formalities.

So, you see that the process is lengthy, and trust me you want to wait for every single day to get a positive reply.

I hope I covered everything. If you have any other queries, feel free.

Ciao.
 
#28 ·
hey guys i have too many questions:
i`m living and working in dubai since 1 year i got an invitation from emirates to attend an interview on 5 july i passed an english and financial interview the first time they called me for admin and finance position but when we entered the interview they said the interview is for deffirrent positions.
after 14 days they called me for the final interview it was on 19 july it was for airport services agent i finished the interview and i left after one hour of that i opened my e-mail and i found this :
Thank you for attending the Emirates / Dnata recruitment interview recently.

Sub: Customer Services Agent


We are pleased to advise you that you have been successful and we will be forwarding your file to the Recruitment Manager for further consideration. Unfortunately at present we do not have any available positions but we anticipate vacancies in the near future. Please do not interpret this letter as an Offer of Employment. If employed, do not resign from your present job on the basis of having secured a future position with Emirates/ Dnata group.



If your application is approved, we will communicate with you immediately to arrange your date of joining, taking into consideration your notice period in your present employment.



We thank you for your interest in joining Emirates/Dnata and for your patience while waiting for further information on your application.



Yours sincerely,



Recruitment Manager
Until now i don`t know what do they mean by this i don`t know if they accepted me and they will contact me or noooo:(
I went to the hr the receptionist told me that sure they will contact u then i told her 100% sure she told me i can`t say that but just wait if they didn`t call u within 6 months u can apply for an other job ........
after that they called me for open day i think they made a mistake and it was written there if u applied for and groud position less then 6 months ignore the e-mail but i went there not for the interview i went just to meet anyone from the hr and ask them and i asked one lady there she said we can`t tell any thing u have to wait :ranger: after that the security gard asked me about what`s going on i told him the story so he told me maybe it`s for the new airport that it will open the next year ...
i don`t know what to do......... and if they will contact me or not
 
#29 ·
I work in HR for emirates, PM me with any questions and I'll see if I can help.

In regards to the guy who has been put on hold. I'm 99% certain this will be for the new airport as they have so many vacancies to fill but they don't need them yet so they are trying to get a head start. If you have passed the assessment as they have said then they will be in touch if/when they have a vacancy.

Just be patient, everything in the middle east takes time. lots and lots of time.
 
#32 ·
gemsy62 said:
I work in HR for emirates, PM me with any questions and I'll see if I can help.

In regards to the guy who has been put on hold. I'm 99% certain this will be for the new airport as they have so many vacancies to fill but they don't need them yet so they are trying to get a head start. If you have passed the assessment as they have said then they will be in touch if/when they have a vacancy.

Just be patient, everything in the middle east takes time. lots and lots of time.
You're brave, telling everyone where you work and what you do...
 
#34 ·
gemsy62 said:
well I'm not going to disclose anything I shouldnt and I'm pretty sure I've already posted my job on here at least once before anyway.

Every movement you make seems to be tracked in the UAE so seems to be no need to hide anything!

Just want to help anyone I can as it can be a long and confusing process moving out here.
Kudos to you. I remember you from before you arrived, but not that you posted what you were going to do and where. Just thinking of all the people who may now want to send their CV to you.
 
#35 ·
Good point maybe I should come with a disclaimer lol. I have NOTHING to do with recruitment, flight upgrades or discounts.

If only I could give the same disclaimer to my friends and family, today I have had two "hey, how are you? X is going to X via Dubai with emirates. Any chance of an upgrade?" :)
 
#36 ·
gemsy62 said:
Good point maybe I should come with a disclaimer lol. I have NOTHING to do with recruitment, flight upgrades or discounts.

If only I could give the same disclaimer to my friends and family, today I have had two "hey, how are you? X is going to X via Dubai with emirates. Any chance of an upgrade?" :)
Hehe. Just refer everyone to the above post and tell them it says it all . Happy to know you are settling in so well too.
 
#39 ·
Congrats to all those who have been selected !! i ve been living in u.a.e for the past 2yrs and applying for a job online in emirates since then.. Some of my friends say its nxt to impossible to get there witout a good reference..I'd like to know if its true, coz if that is the case, then i m jus wasting my time..I am sure I am qualified enuf and ve the experience they need..but it seems they r not evn reviewing the online apllication.. Can any1 pls give me an honest reply !
 
#43 ·
hey,
reference means reference number of your application not a reference of somebody who`s working there i`m sure in emirates it doesn`t exist any kind of references there i don`t know why they didn`t reply to u but i`m sure that there is something wrong with your application cuz me i passed the interview and they keep on calling me for open days the last one is on 23 august open day so keep on trying and check your application thx:)
 
#40 ·
galaxy88 said:
Congrats to all those who have been selected !! i ve been living in u.a.e for the past 2yrs and applying for a job online in emirates since then.. Some of my friends say its nxt to impossible to get there witout a good reference..I'd like to know if its true, coz if that is the case, then i m jus wasting my time..I am sure I am qualified enuf and ve the experience they need..but it seems they r not evn reviewing the online apllication.. Can any1 pls give me an honest reply !
I sincerely hope you are not using text speak when you apply. Incidentally, use of text speak is against forum rules, just letting you know before you get picked up by a mod. 
 
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