Working in Dubai

Dubai is recognised as one of the most prized destinations for job-seeking expats from all over the world. Built on the back of an oil and real-estate boom, the emirate has flourished since diversifying its economy and investing heavily in physical infrastructure. Dubai’s growth is precipitated by ambitious projects (its towering skyline of glittering behemoths and artificial islands a testament to the fact) and an extreme spike in population, largely owing to expats. 

Today, only a small percentage of the emirate’s GDP is from oil; instead, it revolves largely around banking, tourism and trade, with the city operating two of the world’s largest ports and air cargo hubs.

Job market in Dubai

Truly a city of opportunity, Dubai draws expats from all walks of life. Regardless of area of expertise or skill sets, expats seem to flourish in the bustling emirate, as the diversification of its economy has seen a host of sectors explode with possibilities.

Dubai has become the trading centre for most of the Middle East, Africa and beyond due to its geographic location. Giant multinational companies have established headquarters in the city, and there’s been a sharp rise in sectors such as IT, telecoms, manufacturing, data mining, healthcare, banking, trade and tourism. Dubai is also constantly in need of construction expertise. Expats are making the most of the opportunities in these fields. More recently, creatives have also flocked to the emirate searching for higher salaries, and media professionals are also increasingly viewing the city as a viable expat destination.

So-called ‘Free Zones’ – areas that have been established for specific sectors or industries, such as Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City – are continually springing up and expanding as more and more expats are choosing Dubai.

Mammoth tourism projects, including artificial islands, the world’s largest flower garden, its tallest Ferris wheel and its most luxurious hotel, not to mention indoor skiing slopes, colossal shopping malls and more, mean tourists are picking Dubai no longer just as a stop-over but as their primary destination. In turn, this creates a considerable supply of tourism jobs.

Dubai is undoubtedly a city literally on the rise, and many expats find joy and pride in being part of and contributing to the glittering project.

Finding a job in Dubai

It is virtually impossible to begin a life in Dubai without a residence permit, which allows expats to obtain a work permit. Employers are increasingly looking for those already settled in the region, and resident status therefore goes a long way when it comes to securing employment.

Prospective Dubai expats will do well to start their search online. Employers often advertise new vacancies on various web portals, including LinkedIn or recruiting sites. Industry-specific banking, healthcare, construction or tourism agencies are also an excellent way to go, as they have intimate knowledge of the job market and can help connect suitable candidates with employers.

Those considering a move should be aware that career flexibility in Dubai, although slightly improved in recent years, remains limited. Due to regulations put in place to prevent job-hopping, expats will find that it’s not easy to move between companies.

Useful links

• Explore a wide range of job opportunities in various sectors in Dubai through Naukrigulf.
• For networking and job hunting in Dubai, LinkedIn is a valuable resource.
• Find specialised job listings in the UAE and Gulf region by visiting Gulfjobs.com.
• Dubizzle offers a user-friendly platform with diverse job opportunities in Dubai's various industries.

Work culture in Dubai

Expats are still flocking to the emirate in their droves in pursuit of high salaries, low taxes and lavish lifestyles. The continued influx is also propelled by the prospect of a unique cultural experience, scope for personal skills development and an abundance of business opportunities.

Historically, companies sourcing talent to work in Dubai had to offer generous relocation packages to incentivise workers to decamp to the desert. Now, except for very senior-level positions, those days are all but gone. No one, it seems, needs much incentive to make a move to Dubai, and it is becoming increasingly unusual to find fully subsidised accommodation, furniture/shipping allowances, private schooling, family vehicles and other historically appealing expat perks.