[RoBombay]

Just want to get a sense of what people think of the PR industry in Dubai, the potential in the long term and career opportunities.

 

[pamela0810]

What do you want to know? Do you work in the PR Industry? In which segment? You need to be more specific. What experience do you have? That will decide your career opportunities.

 

[RoBombay]

What do you want to know? Do you work in the PR Industry? In which segment? You need to be more specific. What experience do you have? That will decide your career opportunities.

I'm close to finalizing an offer with an agency inDXB. Consumer/tech pr. Have over four years experience and from what I've heard things look good out there. Is that true? What would the salary bracket be for an account manager? Thanks!

 

[pamela0810]

I would suggest you post your question on the "Salary and job offers" thread. You pay package will depend on your level of education, experience and sadly but most importantly your nationality. Since you are from India, I doubt a PR agency will offer you more than 10K a month (all inclusive), however, this does not mean that you should settle. You should negotiate and if you browse through the thread that I've mentioned, you will be able to get a fair idea of what to expect.

 

[RoBombay]

I would suggest you post your question on the "Salary and job offers" thread. You pay package will depend on your level of education, experience and sadly but most importantly your nationality. Since you are from India, I doubt a PR agency will offer you more than 10K a month (all inclusive), however, this does not mean that you should settle. You should negotiate and if you browse through the thread that I've mentioned, you will be able to get a fair idea of what to expect.

Yup! Been warned about nationality. But not worried about that, should be taken care of. The sense I get is that businesses are spending more on PR as opposed to advertising. Which of course is a good thing

 

[RoBombay]

I would suggest you post your question on the "Salary and job offers" thread. You pay package will depend on your level of education, experience and sadly but most importantly your nationality. Since you are from India, I doubt a PR agency will offer you more than 10K a month (all inclusive), however, this does not mean that you should settle. You should negotiate and if you browse through the thread that I've mentioned, you will be able to get a fair idea of what to expect.

Btw, what do you reckon a western expat would get for a similar position?

 

[pamela0810]

What's the job title?

If a Western Expat is moving on a Manager Level position, he/she will start up at a basic salary of at least 15-20K + housing allowance + transportation allowance + utilities + private medical insurance for self and family + annual air ticket for self and family + schooling assistance for kids (either 50% or 100%) + 30 days annual paid vacation which is pretty standard.

Some Indian expats earn about the same so I will give you the same advice I give every other Indian planning to move to Dubai, if you are not being offered a salary that allows you to live a very comfortable lifestyle as per Dubai standards, then do not move to Dubai....stay in India. There is no point moving to this city if you are going to share a room with 10 other bachelors and your weekends out consist of dinners at Karachi Darbar or Sind Punjab. That is not a good life and for the stress that living in Dubai entails, it is really not worth it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[RoBombay]

What's the job title?

If a Western Expat is moving on a Manager Level position, he/she will start up at a basic salary of at least 15-20K + housing allowance + transportation allowance + utilities + private medical insurance for self and family + annual air ticket for self and family + schooling assistance for kids (either 50% or 100%) + 30 days annual paid vacation which is pretty standard.

Some Indian expats earn about the same so I will give you the same advice I give every other Indian planning to move to Dubai, if you are not being offered a salary that allows you to live a very comfortable lifestyle as per Dubai standards, then do not move to Dubai....stay in India. There is no point moving to this city if you are going to share a room with 10 other bachelors and your weekends out consist of dinners at Karachi Darbar or Sind Punjab. That is not a good life and for the stress that living in Dubai entails, it is really not worth it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hahaha! Sharing with 10 others is not happening. I need to sustain the same lifestyle I'm used to.

Well it is a transfer with my current firm so not expecting discrimination. I've indicated 20k is on the down side of what I'm expecting. Is housing allowance part of the salary or a different part of the whole package? I've been told medical, air tickets, etc will be part of the package. Standard stuff. Waiting for the official offer though

 

[pamela0810]

Hahaha! Sharing with 10 others is not happening. I need to sustain the same lifestyle I'm used to.

Well it is a transfer with my current firm so not expecting discrimination. I've indicated 20k is on the down side of what I'm expecting. Is housing allowance part of the salary or a different part of the whole package? I've been told medical, air tickets, etc will be part of the package. Standard stuff. Waiting for the official offer though

Good luck and good on you for standing your ground If you're a bachelor, 20K should be fine. Housing allowance is usually factored in separately. So it's a basic salary plus benefits. I suggest you keep your basic on the higher side if possible because your end of service gratuity is calculated on your basic salary alone.

Do keep us in the loop and I like that your name says Bombay and not Mumbai (I'm a Bombayite too!)

 

[RoBombay]

Good luck and good on you for standing your ground If you're a bachelor, 20K should be fine. Housing allowance is usually factored in separately. So it's a basic salary plus benefits. I suggest you keep your basic on the higher side if possible because your end of service gratuity is calculated on your basic salary alone.

Do keep us in the loop and I like that your name says Bombay and not Mumbai (I'm a Bombayite too!)

To me it shall always be Bombay. Can't stand Mumbai!
Thanks so much for your help. Fingers crossed now.

 

[ukelly]

Hey,
I was also wondering what the expected salary would be for someone just starting out in PR in Dubai. I'm American and currently living and interning in New York. I will be getting my degree from a prestigious university here and already have a couple PR internships under my belt. But I wonder, since I'm African-American, if I would also be discriminated against salary-wise. Any help or advice on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[noisyboy]

Hey man, as my girlfriend and all her friends work in PR, here's what I've come to learn.

As a PR Executive, she was earning 10k all inclusive. As a PR Account Manager she is now earning 15k all inclusive, all on the agency side. She started with 8k all inclusive.

Go for a reputable international company!

 

[ukelly]

Hey man, as my girlfriend and all her friends work in PR, here's what I've come to learn.

As a PR Executive, she was earning 10k all inclusive. As a PR Account Manager she is now earning 15k all inclusive, all on the agency side. She started with 8k all inclusive.

Go for a reputable international company!

Thanks for that! do you think it's possible to live off of 10k/month? I would probably try and live with a roommate but I want to live in a decent part of town like JLT. I know I won't be "living the life" but I just want to make sure I can live comfortably and go out moderately on weekends and such.

 

[pamela0810]

Thanks for that! do you think it's possible to live off of 10k/month? I would probably try and live with a roommate but I want to live in a decent part of town like JLT. I know I won't be "living the life" but I just want to make sure I can live comfortably and go out moderately on weekends and such.

10K AED is approximately USD 2,750/- a month. Why would you want to move from the States to Dubai for that salary? Pretty much everything in Dubai is more expensive or on par with some of the most expensive cities in the world.

10K should be your basic salary with all the add-ons that I had previously mentioned to RoBombay.

 

[ukelly]

10K AED is approximately USD 2,750/- a month. Why would you want to move from the States to Dubai for that salary? Pretty much everything in Dubai is more expensive or on par with some of the most expensive cities in the world.

10K should be your basic salary with all the add-ons that I had previously mentioned to RoBombay.

Well honestly my move is not really motivated by money. I have an uncanny love for the Middle East in general after I spent a semester studying in Beirut and traveled throughout the region including trips to Dubai a couple times. My major is in Middle Eastern Studies so it makes sense to actually be working there. So I want to be there anyways and it just seems that Dubai has the salary that would be on par with the salary I would get here in the states (after taxes) with a lifestyle that I would be comfortable living. I just want to make sure that I CAN actually live decently there. Also, by add-ons, are you talking housing allowance? Or do they usually expect you to foot that on your own as part of the 10k?

 

[noisyboy]

Thanks for that! do you think it's possible to live off of 10k/month? I would probably try and live with a roommate but I want to live in a decent part of town like JLT. I know I won't be "living the life" but I just want to make sure I can live comfortably and go out moderately on weekends and such.

Honestly yes. BUT, you either need a roommate or you need to live alone farther out. When my GF was making 8k when she first came here, she was saving. That doesn't mean she was a house rat, she went out like everyone else but never looked into designer clothing and high end restos and bars. I came here 6 months ago (shipped my car with me), and my salary is close to 13k all inclusive. I pay 4k for rent every month and last month I saved 2.5k. If I didn't have to buy curtains, mirrors, tables, house accessories, I would have saved 4.5k. And TRUST ME, I'm a spender. I went out on the weekends and bought whatever I needed. I still saved despite people told me I'll never save with that salary and that much rent. When I did my math at the end of the month I was impressed.

I gave you much details because that's what I wanted when I first considered moving here. How old are you?

 

[ukelly]

Honestly yes. BUT, you either need a roommate or you need to live alone farther out. When my GF was making 8k when she first came here, she was saving. That doesn't mean she was a house rat, she went out like everyone else but never looked into designer clothing and high end restos and bars. I came here 6 months ago (shipped my car with me), and my salary is close to 13k all inclusive. I pay 4k for rent every month and last month I saved 2.5k. If I didn't have to buy curtains, mirrors, tables, house accessories, I would have saved 4.5k. And TRUST ME, I'm a spender. I went out on the weekends and bought whatever I needed. I still saved despite people told me I'll never save with that salary and that much rent. When I did my math at the end of the month I was impressed.

I gave you much details because that's what I wanted when I first considered moving here. How old are you?

Hey man thanks SOO MUCH for that info! It really helps to hear it from someone who's been in my same position. it's always different actually living on a salary than just speculating about it, and I know I'd be able to live off of that same salary here in NYC so I don't think it'd be too much more of a stretch for Dubai. I'm 21 right now.

 

[noisyboy]

If you are 21, here's what I'd recommend (out of hard earned experience):

Remain in the US for another 3 years working for ONE industry. Then when you apply to a job here, I guarantee you'd be looking at something close to 20k all inclusive, if not more. The markets here are very competitive and you need to differentiate yourself to get a 1) good 2) nice earning job!

Dubai will always be here, it's not going to run away!

 

[noisyboy]

What position? And which agency? You can PM me the company name and I'll be able to give you some background info about them if you'd like!

 

[pamela0810]

Hope you do not sabotage the offer!

Sounds good for a single person but if you would like to stay in one of the better neighbourhoods, you will need to tap into your basic salary to pay the rent. So try and negotiate to see if you can get at least 5K a month for housing - that will afford you a nice apartment.