Working in Abu Dhabi

Due to its relatively small local population, the economy of the United Arab Emirates depends on qualified expats working in Abu Dhabi and its surrounds to keep the wheels spinning. In fact, the overwhelming majority of Abu Dhabi’s economy is powered by expats, and these foreigners hold jobs in any number of important sectors.

That said, the abundance of available positions that marked the course of the last decade has dwindled somewhat. The income-tax-free environment that attracted expats en masse now holds less of an allure because of skyrocketing housing costs and salary levels that haven’t increased proportionately. Emiratisation is another factor to consider for prospective jobseekers in Abu Dhabi.

Nevertheless, those with the right sets of skills who come to Abu Dhabi for a brief stint often end up staying for longer than they intended, mainly because of the luxe lifestyle.

Job market in Abu Dhabi

Although natural resources such as petroleum and natural gas still play a major role in Abu Dhabi’s economy, the global depreciation of fossil fuels has seen the emirate focusing on economic diversification. It now invests heavily in such sectors as property, tourism, construction, trade and food manufacturing. This diversification means expats of all backgrounds and diverse skill sets are finding their niche in the city’s job market.

That said, even with dropping oil prices, Abu Dhabi is home to the vast majority of the UAE’s oil production and nearly 10 percent of the world's oil supply. This, combined with recent diversification, means it has a stable economy and high GDP, making it the wealthiest emirate in the UAE.

That all sounds incredibly attractive to expats looking to take up employment in Abu Dhabi, but we would offer a word of warning. Firstly, salaries are no longer as high as a few years ago. Expats can often make more in their home countries than in Abu Dhabi’s current climate, and housing costs have risen disproportionately. 

Although the government fully recognises the contribution of the large foreign workforce to the region’s growth and development, it has nonetheless started advocating for an official policy of Emiratisation throughout the last few years.

This concept pushes for both government and private sectors to hire a larger number of nationals to curb Emirati unemployment and cultivate opportunities for the growing number of graduates. With quotas in place for the insurance, banking and trade sectors, expats may find it more difficult than in the past to find employment in Abu Dhabi.

Nevertheless, those determined expats with the right level of skills and training may find they can carve out a place for themselves in Abu Dhabi’s buzzing economy.

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Finding a job in Abu Dhabi

Most expats who relocate to Abu Dhabi do so with an employment contract in place. The best methods of finding a job from abroad are to register with local recruitment agencies, spruce up one's LinkedIn profile and check job portals and company websites.

Networking via social media sites can also be beneficial. If already in the emirate, networking with friends, locals and fellow expats is essential.

Expats will find that the ease of changing jobs is something they may have previously taken for granted. Career flexibility is limited due to regulations put in place to discourage job-hopping, so it's important for expats to be aware of any limitations prior to signing up for a new job.

Useful links

• Visit Bayt.com for access to the largest job site in the Middle East and North Africa region, connecting jobseekers with a myriad of employers.
• Explore opportunities in the professional sphere across the Middle East and Gulf region with GulfTalent.com.
• Naukri Gulf offers a specialised platform for those seeking employment opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the surrounding areas.
• Check out Gulf News Jobs to stay updated with the latest job vacancies in the region.

Work culture in Abu Dhabi

The business world in Abu Dhabi has an international feel, thanks to the presence of numerous multinational corporations from all over the globe. English is commonly spoken.

That said, Islam does have a noticeable influence on day-to-day working life. For instance, business may be interrupted by the five-times-daily prayer, and working hours during Islamic holiday periods such as Ramadan are shortened. Expats should take care to respect Islamic customs at all times.