Landing Your First UAE Job

The United Arab Emirates, a land of economic opportunity and cultural diversity, presents a unique set of challenges for those seeking their first job, particularly for overseas candidates. I receive lots of messages from individuals seeking advice on how to get their first job in the UAE- this article is for you!

Personal Story: A Nurse's Journey to the UAE

When I moved to the UAE, I was freshly married and without a job. As a nurse at that time, I faced a peculiar dilemma: I couldn't apply for a nursing license without securing employment first, yet finding a job without a license seemed like a lost cause.

This "chicken or the egg" situation is a familiar theme in the UAE's job market. It can feel as though it's impossible to get a job (or even an interview!) without UAE experience, but how can one get UAE experience without getting a job? It took me nine frustrating months to finally obtain my license, but it's been smooth sailing since.

Expect it to take awhile to get things sorted, but once your foot is in the door, things become much more straightforward.

Cultural Nuances and Local Preferences

Like many others, I quickly learned that understanding local culture and preferences is essential. The UAE's vibrant cultural mosaic often leads employers to favor candidates with local experience or understanding, posing a significant hurdle for international applicants unfamiliar with regional business customs or social norms.

The Reality of High Competition and Skill Gaps

The UAE job market is fiercely competitive. During my initial months, I realized that international applicants are often at a disadvantage compared to local professionals with established networks and familiarity with the job market. While the concept of transferrable skills are widely accepted elsewhere, in the UAE employers prefer to hire candidates with proven experience with the exact same job title that they're hiring for.

UAE employers prefer to hire candidates with proven experience with the exact same job title that they're hiring for.

Visa and Legal Complexities

The intricacies of obtaining a work visa in the UAE add another layer of complexity, leading employers to prefer candidates who already possess work authorization. Transferring a visa is significantly faster and easier than applying for one the first time.

The Financial and Emotional Strain of Relocating

The financial and emotional aspects of relocating, especially for those with families, are considerable. Employers are wary of the risks associated with investing this sizable sum in an individual who may struggle to adapt to the new environment, potentially impacting their performance and longevity in the role.

Networking: A Key to Unlocking Opportunities

Building a network from overseas is tough. However, it's crucial in the UAE job market. Professional connections can open doors that online applications cannot. Rather than sending messages to random strangers and trying to connect (which can feel forced), consider instead joining an international organization that has chapters both in the UAE and your home country. These organizations can be related to either your profession or personal interests.

Rather than sending messages to random strangers and trying to connect (which can feel forced), consider instead joining an international organization that has chapters both in the UAE and your home country.

Digital Application Limitations

The impersonal nature of digital job applications can hinder the ability of international applicants to stand out in a crowded and competitive online space - especially when CVs are dumped into applicant tracking systems and ranked by keywords. If you're an overseas applicant, writing an effective cover letter and reaching out to recruiters are more important than ever.

Improving Your Chances: 10 tips

1. Understand Local Culture: Research UAE customs and business etiquette. There may be a significant difference in your country of origin. If you're looking for insights, check out Emma Jordaan 's profile.
2. Enhance Relevant Skills: Align your skills with the UAE's market needs. Talk to others in your field to determine which skills they'd recommend you bolster in order to be successful in the UAE-specific market.
3. Build a Local Network: Use online platforms to connect with UAE professionals. Join international organizations that have chapters both in your home country and the UAE to make more meaningful connections in advance.
4. Prepare Financially: Be aware of the costs involved in relocation and save accordingly. There are so many unfortunate stories about individuals who spend their last dollar to come to the UAE on a visit visa, expecting to get a job, but aren't able to secure a position during their limited stay. Don't let this be you!
5. Connect with Local Recruiters: The UAE has many recruitment companies that are heavily leveraged by local employers. Take the time to develop a relationship with a UAE-based recruitment company that specializes in your specific industry (I'll tag some of them below).
6. Seek Mentorship: Gain insights from those experienced in the UAE job market. Connect with people in your profession who have successfully landed the jobs that you're interested in and ask for their advice.
7. Show Long-Term Commitment: Address potential concerns about stability. If you have family or friends in-country it's appropriate to mention this as it demonstrates you have a support structure in place and are more likely to stay.
8. Leverage Social Media: Showcase your professional brand on platforms like LinkedIn. Make sure that all of your information is current and accurate, and select a profile picture that represents you as a professional (don't use a passport photo or too casual of an image). Ask past employers and colleagues to post recommendations to increase your social proof.
9. Customize Applications: Reflect cultural sensitivity in your CV and cover letter. Also, make sure you customize each application for each role. Recruiters can tell if you've copy and pasted a million times and it communicates that you don't care about that specific job. "Dear Ma'am/Sir" is a dead giveaway that you couldn't be bothered to personalize.
10. Plan an Exploratory Visit: Understand the local environment firsthand.

Conclusion

Navigating the UAE job market from overseas is a complex and multi-faceted challenge. Understanding local practices, strategically networking, and being mindful of the emotional and financial implications of relocation are key to overcoming these hurdles. Persistence, patience, adaptability, and a well-informed approach are essential for those seeking to turn their UAE employment aspirations into reality.

UAE-based recruitment companies:

AE Recruitment | Agile Consultants | AOS Recruitment | BAC Middle East | Big Fish Consult | BWP - Beresford Wilson And Partners | Charterhouse Middle East | Cordell Partners 🪢 - Headhunter | Executive Search | Recruitment | Discovered MENA | Dulsco | GRG | Hire Rightt - Executive Search | HRsource | Innovations Group UAE | Kingston Stanley | L&C Recruitment | Marc Ellis | Master Recruitment ME | MCG Talent | Menasa & Partners FZ-LLC | MENA Solutions | NSR Associates - Middle East | PACT EMPLOYMENT SERVICES | Petroplan | Pink Camel Recruitment | Redpath Partners | RP International | Salt | TASC Outsourcing

Megan Brittain Adams has lived in the United Arab Emirates for the past 12 years and worked in multiple industries, including healthcare, venture capital, and HR recruitment technology. She is currently working with Raha Beach Ventures on a software solution to increase hiring efficiency while reducing bias in recruitment.