Dubai In The Right Direction

No Commented January 25 2012
Categorized Under: International Careers

Dubai: In the right direction

Shopping, nightlife, a rich, diverse culture, coupled with one of the world’s most stunning skylines…Dubai offers all this and more. Here’s why the Emirate is back in the reckoning as a very attractive destination for the discerning international jobseeker:

A global city and business hub, Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Back in the day, the city’s economy was built on the oil industry; today, however, real estate, trade, retail, IT and financial services are the largest contributors to the economy.

A world-class city that sprang from an arid desert, this glittering metropolis has attracted world attention through many innovative projects. You have the Burj Khalifa, the tallest freestanding, man-made structure in the world, the Dubai Mall - the world’s biggest shopping mall, the Burj Al Arab, a 7-star hotel with the highest atrium in the world, the Jumeirah Palm Island, the world’s largest man-made island, and many more such. In many ways, Dubai is a city of wonders, a place where the wildest - and most outrageous - aspirations have come true.

Why Dubai?

Dubai spans across 497.1 square miles and is the second most expensive city in the region.

Where ‘people mix’ is concerned, only 17 percent of Dubai’s population comprises UAE nationals. 71 percent of the total population is of expats. Even though Arabic is the official language of the Emirate, English is the language of business and is very widely spoken among the populace.

Other than social and cultural diversity, Dubai also boasts an unparalleled infrastructure of roads and utilities comparable with the best in the world. Communications, transportation, all-round high quality of living…the city offers it all.

Resurging after the Recession

If you were tracking the news from the region, you’d know that the recent global Recession caused a slump in Dubai’s construction sector. But the good news is: Other sectors in Dubai are relatively strong in terms of fundamentals. In fact, coupled with renewed prospects for employment, the drop in real estate prices and property rents make Dubai an even more attractive destination to live and work.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) report estimates the rate of inflation in Dubai to be at 4.5 percent this year. As per RNCOS (which specializes in industry intelligence), cheap and reliable energy and gas supply, growing oil and gas sectors, overall economic growth and rising income levels are a few of the causes fueling this growth.

Speaking of sectors…

Anyone who has heard of the Dubai Shopping Festival knows how popular shopping in Dubai really is and how it attracts footfalls from around the globe. With favourable government policies and active participation from the private sector, Dubai’s retail industry is poised to grow faster in terms of both, investments and revenue generation.

Changing consumer demographics, presence of large expatriate population and improving purchasing power have attracted premium and luxury brands to the region. This has helped maintain the growth momentum and will continue to do so in the coming years.

Shares Yusuf Tambawala, General Manager (Corporate Relations), at an International Management Education Institute in Dubai:

“Dubai has undergone a lot of pain in the last couple of years. While the pain is not over, recovery is inevitable. Dubai is now focusing on its core competencies as a trading, logistics and financial hub for the region.”

Good news for the jobseeker

“Dubai experienced the same slump as every other country in the world - in effect no worse, no better. Its only saving grace is that before the global crash it acted - and still continues to act - as a global hub for the experienced expat workforce. As with the rest of the world, it will draw upon its strengths to rebuild, most notably as a base for experienced expats working across the Gulf, and as a business and tourism hub, ideally placed between Europe and Asia,” says Darren Bithell, Managing Partner of a head-hunting firm with over 12 years of experience in global executive search and selection assignments for blue-chip clients.

The employment market is already picking up. A lot of firms are recruiting, with many others planning to do so in the next few months. Sectors gaining momentum are BFSI, Oil and Gas, trading and manufacturing. “If you check the employment section of the regional newspapers, almost 70 to 85 percent jobs are available in these four sectors,” states Jiten Parrikh, Senior Wealth Manager at one of the biggest local banks in Dubai.

Parrikh feels that the major factors that have played a pivotal role in the resurgence of Dubai are: Investor-friendly policies of the government, political stability, and security. “Trading activities have picked up as the number of trading transactions has increased. There is a clear indication that businesses are looking to expand and are anticipating growth,” he notes.

“Factors such as opening-up of the financial credit systems and tax advantages have forced bottomline-focused organizations around the world to seriously consider UAE as an important business base,” Parrikh further explains.

In Dubai, commerce and industry co-exist happily with the pursuit of leisure. Besides being a premium destination for international jobseekers, Dubai also scores high when it comes to retaining the expat population, thanks to greater flexibility in switching employers in the long term.

As Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently stated: “During the first quarter of 2011, more than 2500 new members joined the Chamber, which means that there are at least as many new companies operating in Dubai. This is an increase of 4 percent Y-O-Y.”

For quick help with your application, use our FREE TRIAL of the Personal Job Hunt Manager where a real person helps you at every stage of your job search process, finds jobs that fit your profile and tailors your CV & applications to the selected jobs. Find your job in Dubai now!

Interested? Sign Up Now!

Cover Your Bases - The importance of writing a customised cover letter

No Commented December 22 2011
Categorized Under: Career Tips

COVER YOUR BASES - The importance of writing a customised cover letter.

Earlier this year, Google received a whopping 75,000 applications in response to about 6000 new vacancies, in what is being touted as the “biggest hiring year” in Google’s history so far. As you can imagine, competition for new jobs is humongous.

And matters don’t seem to be limited to highly-attractive employers like Google. The ease of applying online combined with the dearth of vacancies is making jobseekers blast their CVs out to vaguely matched jobs or even jobs that they donít have experience for. Consequently, jobseekers will now need to be increasingly selective about which jobs they apply for, and then give that application their best shot. The only hope they have of standing out amongst the crowd (imagine your CV being one
amongst thousands) is to make sure that each application is perfect in every aspect and tailored to the specific vacancy and specific organisation being applied for.

With recruiters and hiring managers receiving truckloads of applications it is vital for jobseekers to make that lasting impression at the “screening-out” stage itself. What we’re talking about is the cover letter. Many candidates are not even aware of its importance in the screening-out process. Itís what often creates the first and lasting impression about a candidate in the mind of the employer or recruiter. Any faux pas in the cover letter and your application may be doomed at the very first step.

For international jobseekers, the issue of how to write cover letters is far more complex. On one hand, because the initial phases of international recruitment are usually handled remotely, there is a need for the cover letter to be as specific as possible. On the other hand, you need to take extra care of keeping in mind subtle differences in language, social conventions, corporate rules and other cultural sensitivities that may come into play when recruiters and candidates come from vastly different cultural and social backgrounds.

Cultural sensitivities

In terms of content, the basic difference to note in an international cover letter is that different countries have different regulations about what kind of personal information can be expected from potential candidates. For example, in the US and Canada, recruiters cannot ask for date of birth or gender as these may lead to discrimination. For the same reason, asking for nationality or a photograph are not considered ethical in some Western countries. So such information is not expected in your cover letter. In Asian countries however, it is customary to reveal personal details such as marital status, nationality and even a photograph. In fact, in the UAE, many times, when you apply online, the application is not considered complete unless you have attached a scanned photograph! The bottomline is, approach the cover letter with these cultural sensitivities in mind to ensure that you get shortlisted for an interview.

The language connection

In the international jobs situation, always try to demonstrate that you understand the ethos of the region to which you are applying and the willingness to follow the conventions of that region even if they differ drastically from those in your country of origin. Make sure therefore, to research the conventions in that region before you decide what to write and how to write it in the cover letter. You may need to decide whether to write in English or in the official language of the country you hope to work in. For example, when applying to the UAE, you may wish to decide whether to have your cover letter translated into Arabic. Or maybe you may want to make your name
and contact details at the minimum, available in both Arabic as well as English? Even if your recruiter knows English, you may still score a point by connecting to the local people by showing an acceptance of their native language.

Avoiding faux-pas

When dealing with overseas jobs, keep certain ground rules in mind when drafting your cover letter:

  • Be aware of subtle difference in spellings even when the language is the same. For example, spellings for several words are different in the US and UK. Use the spelling that is followed by the country to which you are applying
  • Stick to standard English terms and avoid terms that may be culturally loaded or have negative connotations in some cultures. Ask a friend who knows the region or do some internet research to check this out.
  • Use only formal language as informal terms may be looked down upon in several countries , it can never hurt to be polite.

What to highlight in international cover letters

  • Highlight any global experience you may have or demonstrate the ability to work in cross-cultural situations.
  • Mention any foreign languages you may know and the extent of your fluency, especially if the official language of that country is not English and if you happen to know that language.
  • When quoting your contact details, make sure to use all possible forms of contact including complete address, PO box if any, email, mobile phone, landline, instant messaging id, any social media handles if you regularly connect via networking sites, etc. Include the country code in your phone number appropriately so that the employer can call you easily if required.

Setting the tone

Did you know that your cover letter does the job of prepping the prospective employer for your CV? Thatís why it has to be strong enough to hit harder than your CV. Remember, this letter points out what is important in the background of your CV and sets the tone for the CV. So, first of all, please do ensure that it is error free, without any typos or grammatical mistakes. Also, remember to keep it appropriate to the position and the industry you are applying for. If itís a management position in the corporate world, your tone has to be business like; but, if you are applying as an ëArt Directorí in an advertising firm, you can be a little more creative.

Pick me up

Remember, if you go for one of the generic cover letters that are floating on the internet, you might as well forget about any response from the other end. Instead, focus your time and energy on researching the company you are applying to and connecting your experience for the position advertised. Mention this in a summary in a brief but well-crafted, honest cover letter. Employ the marketing principle of AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) to meet your goalÖ drawing your prospective employerís attention by pointing out why youíre well-suited for the job, getting them interested in moving on to read your CV and finally giving the employer a “Cause” to call you for the elusive interview. Remember, your cover letter is your sales pitch.

Different strokes for different folks

When you are applying to various companies for similar designations, each company maybe looking for slightly different skill sets. Look out for what the company demands and highlight those specific skills and experience in your cover letter. For instance, if you are applying for the position of a “Communications Specialist” in two different companies and find that one company also wants the individual to handle marketing and advertising campaigns along with maintaining public relations, then highlight your experience in marketing and PR in your cover letter itself, thus drawing the attention of the recruiters to the specific skills they are looking for.

Back to Basics - Some Do’s and Don’ts

  • Do personalise your letter; “Ma’am”, “Sir” or “To whomsoever it may concern” is passe. Address it to the person concerned. If the personís name isnít mentioned, make a call to the company you are applying to and ask the receptionist or the HR department for the name of the concerned person. Remember, a personalised cover letter makes an immediate connect with the individual, whereas a ëTo Whomesoever It may Concerní is a put-off for the recruiter.
  • Do not repeat whatís in your resume in your letter. It is a waste of the recruiterís time as well as your effort. The recruiter will concur that you have nothing special to say about why you should be considered for the position and may even just ignore your CV and move on to the next application.
  • Do not forget to mention the job title you are applying to and the reference number (if there is any) in your letter. Also, mention how you heard about the vacancy and if you know anybody working in the company be sure to mention it too.
  • Do stay strictly away from including any personal information about yourself or your opinions on religion, politics or any such topics in your letter.
  • Do keep it simple and professional, let your creative streak remain in the background and do not use any fancy fonts or coloured paper or any such stuff.
  • Do not ramble on. Remember, it ís a cover letter, not a personal one to a dear friend. So, stick to one or at the most two short paragraphs about yourself, your interests, the position you have applied to and how you fit in.
  • Do request an interview at the end of the letter and let the recruiter know that you would like to be informed on the status of your application.
  • Do write a synopsis of your cover letter in the body of the mail and attach the letter separately. This will complete the professional touch.

Inhouse Survey Results

We regularly survey jobseekers on our website to learn more about their job search habits and their search effectiveness. In one such inhouse survey we learnt that, of those who received the highest number of interview calls in a year (above 15 calls a year), 50% said they always customized their cover letters.

In the group that received a moderate number of calls (11-15 calls a year), a whopping 66% said they always used custom cover letters. In the group that received 6-10 calls, 61% always used customized cover letters. In the lower range of 1-5 calls, 33% always customised their cover letters.

In contrast, in the group that received no interview calls, only 15% said they always used custom cover letters. Moral of the story? Always use customised cover letters!

Remember, your cover letter is the first point of contact between you and the recruiter. So, bring out your strengths, experiences and achievements and customise differently for each application you make to catch their eyeballs. If you think you need some help tailoring your job applications and cover letters, you can get in touch with our Personal Job Hunt Managers who are specialists in helping you get your application out perfectly every time!

Nail That Interview Call - CV Strategies and Custom Job Hunt Techniques

2 Commented December 11 2011
Categorized Under: Career Tips

NAIL THAT INTERVIEW CALL - CV Strategies and Custom Job Hunt Techniques

We’ve been creating content that focuses on issues faced by our audience of international jobseekers and one of the most frequent comments that our users have made is that they have no clue what happens to most of the job applications they send out in response to apparently matching job vacancies!

Have you often wondered why you are not receiving any interview calls or any response from recruiters ñ even when you have been blasting your CV out to several job vacancies?

Our team of Job Hunt Managers comes across this problem all the time. Why does this happen? What is it that you are doing wrong and where do your applications disappear? Are they lost in a pile of CVs? Or is your work profile basically defunct in the job market?

We spoke at length to our Job Hunt Managers to try and find the answers. The insights that they gave us from their experience will, we hope, also be valuable to you as a jobseeker.

We thought, the easiest way to help convey these insights to you, would be to explain the methodical and research-oriented way that our Job Hunt Managers go about finding jobs, researching vacancies and customising CVs to help their candidates land the elusive interview.

The process, though it may seem a little lengthy, we assure you, will be worth your while. This is something that our Job Hunt Specialists use, which you can apply to your own CV and see it work wonders.

Starting Way Back - The Background Report:

So, what do the Job Hunt Mangers do while trying to match your profile with the available job vacancies? Itís quite simpleÖthey conduct a Background Report, where they first have a deep interaction with you to understand the specific nature of the job you are hoping to land. And, this is not only about specific job titles you may want to apply to, but also the broader industries that you may wish to work in and the scale and size of the companies that you wish to work at. So when you do a Background Report for yourself, make sure you also include a
detailed analysis of your day-to-day functional responsibilities and duties at your current workplace. Moreover, the precise technical or professional knowledge you have also needs to be identified in this report.

Zooming in on your Target Job

And what is the purpose of all this evaluation, you may ask? Well, it helps you identify your own target job requirements and match them to the key skills, qualifications and responsibilities from your career and education history. So hereís the takeaway from this first step: If youíre doing your international job search all on your own, make sure that you do this initial bit to methodically think and identify your specific target job titles, responsibilities and target company details. This put you on a firm footing at the very start.

Researching the Job Market

Now that you are ready with your Background Report, the next step involves some Job Market Research. Sounds intimidating? Well, itís actually not. What you do here is, you not only look out for vacancies that match your current job title, but also look out for vacancies that match the functional duties and responsibilities that you are currently handling. The objective here is to source live vacancies that match a minimum of 1 element from each part of the basic report that has been drawn out in the first step.

You may not be aware of it, but when our Job Hunt Specialists work on a candidateís CV, they aim to isolate at least five to six vacancies where the recruiter has elaborated extensively on the role of the candidate they are looking for. The Job Search Team does its research and sends such adverts to the CV Analysts. You too should try to look out for such vacancies and ensure that several jobs from your shortlist should match at least some of the aspects mentioned in the Background Report.

Analyse That

Now that you are through with your research, the next step is to prepare a Job Market Analysis report. Ouch! Well, weíll just explain it very simply and show you how and why this step is important and what this report does. This report identifies the Skills, Responsibilities, Experiences, Qualifications (letís refer to them as SREQ for brevityís sake) that are mentioned in the vacancy advertised.

Now, try to isolate those SREQs from your CV that you have also come across regularly in the Job Market Research step as High Level. Why? For, this means that there is a high demand or an active interest in these skills, which is a positive sign for you. As for your other skills that were mentioned few times (but probably not with too much emphasis or too often) in the adverts you researched, mark them as Normal Level. And finally, if you have certain SREQs that were hardly given a mention in any vacancy you researched, mark those as Low Level. Now, you have analysed which of your skills are in great demand and which are almost inconsequential to the recruiter in your specific area of interest.

This exercise achieves a very important objective. By doing this, it will be clear to you what aspect of your skills or SREQs are saleable in the current job market. This in turn will help you understand what aspects should be highlighted in your CV, thus giving the recruiter what he is looking for easily and in almost a jiffy.

Giving Recruiters What They Want

Remember - the recruiter has to scan thousands of CVs for the same vacancy. So, for instance, if he is looking for Skill A, B and C and if you have a high level of skill C, make sure you emphasise that in your CV. You can even mention this in your summary or highlight parts on your CV that will be seen first when your CV is scanned. So once this in-demand skill is highlighted, the chances of your CV being picked up and looked through in detail are higher. So, even if you are weak in Skill A and B, the recruiter may shortlist your CV over others.

But, if you hadnít done your Job Market Analysis and highlighted some other skill that the recruiter was not looking for, then the recruiter could easily miss out on the fact that you do have Skill C.

SWOT Analysis

You may have used the SWOT technique earlier to critically evaluate yourself, but when you apply it to your job hunt, you use it to identify opportunities / threats in the job market. For instance, an ëOpportunityí may be that you are qualified for a more senior role (that is, more senior than the role you started researching for) or that there is high demand for your skill-set in a location that was not part of your earlier search.

Similarly, a “Threat” may either be that there are no vacancies for your requirement, or that you have unsuitable skills or even that your skills do not match to the skill-set being asked for by the recruiter.

You need to do a SWOT Analysis based on your current CV and the Job Market Analysis conducted earlier. So, all your SREQs which can be mapped into the available jobs would be your potential “Strengths”, and the missing ones would be your “Weaknesses”. So, to summarise, all you do is map your CV to the analysis of the job market and identify those aspects that count as “Strengths” and “Weaknesses”. Then, focus on the “Opportunities”, which are holes in the job market where your profile fits in well, and make a note of any threats which you need to be well aware of and avoid those pitfalls.

Creating a CV Strategy Document

Our CV Analysts prepare this document after a telephonic consultation to evaluate the SWOT report. If you are going through the whole process by yourself, this is what you need to do in order to make sure that your CV strategically addresses the current job market in your sector or industryÖ

  • From our experience, one of the things you need to check is whether during the SWOT, the ëWeaknessesí you identified in your current CV are quite simply omissions from your previous CV. If it is so, then you need to gather this omitted information.
  • Also, check the SREQs you identified as ëHigh Levelí during the Job Market Analysis. Next, list down your major responsibilities and achievements in this ëHigh Levelí category in your recent career history. Similarly, for ëNormal Levelí, identify if any roles you played in this category and cite details unique to the job role.
  • Now, check all those SREQs from your old CV that you could not find a match for at any level. Then, exclude these in the new CV or if you wish to include any, find a plausible reason to do so.

After this, do organise all the information into Key Deliverables & Achievements, Career History and Education History. At this time, you should also review whether your CV needs to be in a Functional CV format or a Chronological layout. For example, if you have gaps in your career history, then a chronological CV format would not be preferred and it would highlight the gaps and make your CV probably look weaker than it actually is in terms of skills.

Mind your Keyphrases

When our CV Analysts reach this stage, they also do some research about the local terms and keyphrases that recruiters in your jobís target location are using. A list is developed of the different regional terminologies used for things like Job Titles or other skills and requirements.

So, depending on the region or country you are targeting, you need to update yourself on the local terminology used there. Ensure that this terminology is included in your CV wisely for naming job titles, skills and responsibilities. You can identify this from the Job Market Research process that you have already conducted earlier. Also ensure that you use business English and power words to communicate specific and quantifiable achievements.

Making your CV Searchable

Most importantly, do keep in mind that recruiters are increasingly using technology to screen and shortlist candidates for any job. So, depending on how searchable your CV is, your chances of your CV being short listed can alter significantly. For instance, when you put up your profile on a database of CVs, the recruiters would use a search
function that is similar to a search engine like Google to track relevant CVs that fit the bill. So, they may search for certain key termsÖ for e.g., if you are an Ecommerce Specialist, they may use the term, ëOnline Shopping Specialistí for the same. Now, since you have used the term ëEcommerce Specialistí your CV may not show up in the results of the database search. Hence, itís important to use appropriate synonyms that are used in your industry and include them so that chances of your CV showing up in the search results are higher. Also, you need to ensure that the layout, format and your career synopsis are also in sync with the country you are looking to work in.

Do try out these strategies and techniques and if you really do not have the time or the inclination, thereís always the option of having our Job Hunt Managers carry out the process for youÖ Remember, we are just a click away.

Head To Hong Kong

4 Commented September 27 2011
Categorized Under: International Careers

Head To Hong Kong

Want to work within Asia in a corruption-free economy? Especially one that offers international standards of living and luxury? Your best bet is Hong Kong!

Right now, Asia is the place to be, and Hong Kong is at the geographical and economic centre of Asia. With its increasing exposure to international markets and its fast-growing economy, the job opportunities here are at their peak.

Growth in recruitment

For the first quarter of 2011, the Hudson Report has recorded the highest hiring expectations ever in Hong Kong, with 66% of surveyed companies planning to recruit more staff during this period.

According to the report, the media, PR and advertising sectors are very positive, with 65% expecting to boost recruitment - more than double the previous quarter’s 31%.

Much of the new hiring is driven by demand for creative specialists with online and social media expertise. Account servicing professionals are also in demand.

Living in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is dynamic and cosmopolitan - a shopperís paradise filled with interesting restaurants and a great night-life.

Here, dramatic skylines, skyscrapers and shopping destinations jostle with the visual reminders of a colonial past. Only in Hong Kong can you find the Star Ferry, trams and Peak Tram, blending in with stunning contemporary architecture such as that of the Exhibition Centre.

In addition to the urban experience, Hong Kong also boasts country parks with scenic hiking trails and BBQ areas, providing pleasant week-end getaways.

Transport is never a problem since taxis and buses run around the clock. The underground and over-ground railways are fast, reliable and reasonably priced.

Languages spoken

Chinese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong.

While English is sufficient for jobs with large multinational companies, some knowledge of Cantonese is proving to be a distinct advantage for many jobs.

Find your niche

Currently, Hong Kong has more active jobs and hiring than ever seen in the past.

The main sectors of work for expatriates include:

  • Finance
  • Accountancy
  • Sales and marketing
  • IT
  • Human Resources
  • Legal
  • Telecommunications
  • Logistics
  • Engineering

Professional training in areas such as law, banking, accountancy and finance, advanced manufacturing, engineering, biotechnology, computing, healthcare and architecture, planning and construction may increase your chances of finding an employer willing to apply for an appropriate visa on your behalf.

Life at work

Hong Kong has a five-day work week, from Monday to Friday. The timings are usually between 9 am to 5 pm. Some companies also work half-day on Saturdays. However, as in every growing economy, work timings are not always fixed and people in senior or managerial positions may be required to stay back for longer hours.

The work environment is pretty formal. Both men and women are required to wear neat, dark formal clothes.

Similarly, punctuality and courteous, respectful behaviour towards everyone - staff and subordinates - are a must.

Business depends greatly on networking. Carry your business card with you at all times. Preferably, have your card printed in English on one side and Chinese on the other.

Business networking after work and business lunches or dinners too are common.

Grab these perks

There are 17 public holidays. Annual leave varies between a legal minimum of seven days per year to around 15 days. Senior staff and executives generally get four to six weeks off each year.

Expatriates could either receive a wide range of perks and benefits or a simple basic package. It all depends on the position and sector you apply to.

Some companies - like investment banks - offer generous packages that include medical insurance, accommodation, paid annual holidays to the home country, as well as private education for children. But do check with your employer for the perks offered.

Lesser tax, more freedom

Maximum salary tax cut in Hong Kong is 17% (2009-2010). Tax on salary is not deducted at source and employees are required to complete a tax declaration detailing their earnings at the end of each fiscal year (on 31st March).

Sharpen your skills

It would be to your advantage to have great communication skills. There are different skill-sets for each discipline, but the overriding one is to have good interpersonal and influencing skills. Also, you should demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, experience and specialist knowledge in your chosen field of work.

Ready? Get a job now!

The most effective way to find a job in Hong Kong is by using online resources, local newspaper classifieds and trade magazines. You can also use staffing agencies and recruiting firms.

Better still, use our   free trial of the Personal Job Hunt Manager where a real person helps you at every stage of your job search process, finds jobs that fit your profile and tailors your CV & applications to the selected jobs.

Find your dream job in Hong Kong today!

Negotiate That Expat Contract

11 Commented August 1 2011
Categorized Under: Career Tips, International Careers

Negotiate that Expat Contract

Taking on an overseas employment contract is serious business. After all, you’re moving quite literally into another world and probably taking a family and an entire household along. Any miscalculations could prove costly to say the least – and not knowing the rules may land you in a spot of trouble. Anticipating the possible scenarios seems like a hard task, but we’re here to help you think it through.

Today, many countries are changing their stand on expat workers – some countries are becoming more open - like in the UAE, starting January 1, 2011, certain categories of expat workers will be permitted to switch jobs after 2 years without needing a No Objection Certificate from their previous employers, thus making changing jobs a little easier. Places like Hong Kong on the other hand have now made it more difficult for expats to land jobs.

An overseas work contract is a very important document and you must make sure you negotiate well and consider all aspects of the move before you sign on that dotted line. An overseas employment contract must clearly define your duties and responsibilities towards the company, as well as the company’s obligations towards you. How is all that done? Well read on to get an idea of the homework you’d need to do.

What’s Your Value?

This of course refers to your salary. You have to be very clear what your base salary is, for, many companies look at this aspect as the most flexible. So, be sure to negotiate on that and make it clear in the beginning itself. You have to be clear on the length of your contract too. So, things such as a break in employment, extended employment, what happens after your contract has ended, etc., should all be made clear at the discussion table. If your salary is non-negotiable (though we doubt this very strongly, but nevertheless), try for a performance based bonus. Many companies go for this method so they do not have to pay a high base salary.

Cost of a house - no, a home

You are moving countries, so it is essential to correctly estimate what the cost of living in the country you are moving to is, keeping in mind the standard of living you are hoping to achieve – the second factor being the more important one. All too often we hear of expats landing in their new destination to find that costs differ widely depending on the quality they expect.

Most of the times, housing will cut a huge hole in your salary. And normally, your company should provide you with accommodation, or pay you the said amount for housing. Many companies are unwilling to include this cost for it is not something provided for their local employees. So, you need to be very clear on that. Overall, we suggest you research well and learn as much as you can about this aspect of the country you are moving too. But do keep in mind the fluctuating currency rates as well while looking up for information.

Another aspect you need to be clear on the moving cost you will incur. So, be sure to include customs declaration, transportation insurance, etc., as well. Your contract may include a reimbursement of these expenses.

Keep Yourself Fit

Health insurance or health allowance is a critical feature of an expat’s contract… it’s almost a prerequisite. You are generally entitled to full medical insurance; but if you aren’t getting private health facilities, be sure that your salary covers the cost of medical insurance. Keep in mind that many countries don’t have very good quality health services. Here too, we suggest you do your research of the cost of healthcare facilities at the country you are moving to.

Get Paid for Hardship

If you are moving to a country that is highly polluted, has traffic problems, restriction of freedom of speech, a relatively high crime rate, etc., compared to the country you are living in currently, you are entitled to a hardship allowance. In short, this allowance is applicable if you are moving to a destination which may not be considered highly desirable for expats. Any country where chances of a personal threat are high or your quality of life is not on par with the country you are living in currently fall under this category. For instance, some African nations; even China… for it restricts freedom of speech. Also, this allowance is over and above your base salary – so remember to claim it if applicable in your case.

Educating Rita

Well, yes, that is title of a movie from the 80’s, but here we’re talking about kids’ school fees. If you are moving with your family, you have to make sure it covers the cost of your children’s’ tuition fees at good private or international schools. In most countries where expats go to, the tuition fees are very high, which would eventually lighten your wallet considerably. Also, many countries do not offer suitable education facilities for temporary residents and getting admissions in private schools may also be difficult or expensive. So, if you have children, it would do you good to bring this up while discussing your salary and push for it too, we say.

Getting Taxed!

Yes, you have to deal with the taxes too, but you should not have any trouble if you have all your facts clear. Some countries have a policy of taxing an expat on his overall income, i.e., from both the countries…the one he is currently living in and the one he would be moving to. Whereas some countries would tax you only from the country you work in as an expat. So you may need to ensure that your salary covers this additional tax expense. You may want to consider consulting a tax planner to sort out matters as this would be a less expensive option than getting taxed heavily.

Exchange Notes!

What currency will you be paid your salary in? With exchange rates fluctuating quite a bit in these times of economic stress, you need to put your mind to this question. You may be paid in a different currency than you home country or the same currency itself while working overseas. You need to know the financial impact this can have on you. So, study the exchange rates and do your research thoroughly to learn and understand these implications. After you have a good idea of the impact of the currencies, you can negotiate well and get a deal that covers these expenses too.

Fringe Benefits

This literally means what it reads… other benefits you are entitled to apart from the ones mentioned above. For instance, social security… would the company take care of you in case of unemployment? Are you even eligible for social security in the foreign country? Besides, clarification on your duties and responsibilities, vacation allowance, travel allowance, flight allowance (a one way ticket when you travel to the country you are moving to), annual and home leave, training programmes to help you adapt to the new country, should all be considered while negotiating your compensation package.

Remember, the more information you are armed with, the better you will be able to negotiate at the discussion table, thereby increasing your chances of ensuring a comfortable and risk-free transition. Doing your research always helps and asking for perks directly will likely fetch you a good deal. And remember, negotiate only when you have a good offer and before you sign the contract. Getting too aggressive also won’t help and neither will any discussion after you have signed on the dotted line.

Future Perfect Abu Dhabi

6 Commented July 11 2011
Categorized Under: International Careers, Middle East Careers

Future Perfect Abu Dhabi

Want to work abroad but feeling unsure? Looking for a destination that serves as a healthy workplace, with a mixed population, a luxurious lifestyle and an easy transition?

Most people with these requirements immediately think of Dubai. However, barely two hours from Dubai lies Abu Dhabi, more culturally sound and peaceful, and the richest city in the world with booming job opportunities!

The less-marketed capital of the UAE has always had a low profile. The only times we hear about it is when we read about the world’s richest city or check out a list of the most prolific oil producing cities in the world. But Abu Dhabi offers much, much more than that.

Diverse growth opportunities

Abu Dhabi has taken concrete steps to diversify its economy from oil to other industries such as financial services and tourism. While Dubai had to diversify due its exhausting oil supply, Abu Dhabi’s plans are well-rounded - for a sustainable, healthy, more secure future. Hence, the city has a number of growing sectors open for jobs in industry, real estate, tourism and retail. While Dubai is beginning to get saturated and is very expensive, Abu Dhabi holds a lot of promise and scope for the near future.

Around & about

People who have been to Abu Dhabi speak of it as a modern city without the urban blandness of Dubai. Beautiful parks, wide roads and tree-lined streets co-exist with tall office and apartment buildings. And there’s plenty of shopping too - with independent shops and shopping malls in abundance. Driving your own car is the most convenient mode of transport, but taxis are also widely used by expats for short rides around the city.

Expats from everywhere

The crowd comprises professionals from the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Ethiopia, Somalia, Philippines, the Indian sub-continent and various Arab countries. This makes the place a veritable melting pot. Apart from Arabic (which is the official language), you can get to hear many tongues here - including English, French, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali.

The main religion of Abu Dhabi is Islam but the people here are tolerant of all religions and for most purposes one can follow one’s own religion without interference. Drinking alcohol and eating pork, though restricted, isn’t illegal but available at designated outlets only.

Zip to Dubai

Now, if you want the lifestyle of Dubai complete with the party scene, you can have the best of that as well. Since the two cities are only a couple of hours apart, you could just zip down to Dubai when needed, or live in Dubai and commute to Abu Dhabi for work. A five-lane highway connects the two cities and the 130 km distance can be covered with ease!

The coming boom

In 2005, the Abu Dhabi government established the ‘Plan Abu Dhabi 2030’, which includes development of infrastructure, environment, transport and heritage. The objective is to make Abu Dhabi the most sustainable Arab capital.

Under this, a number of projects have been planned and some are well on their way - these include the Yas Island, a Ferrari park (both of which are already operational and a must-see on any tourist’s list). The Danet Abu Dhabi is a much-awaited development which will feature 36 mixed-use towers, two shopping malls, two mosques, and a five-star hotel. The Saadiyat Island is another much-hyped development as it will be home to the stunning Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi plans to sustain itself through energy resources other than fossil fuels because it believes that the future lies in sustainable, renewable energy resources and plans are to fully develop these sectors by the year 2030.

With all these plans in place, the sectors expected to boom in the near future are:

  • Tourism
  • Real estate
  • Hospitality
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Retail
  • Arts & culture
  • Media
  • Transportation engineering / design
  • Renewable energy (other than the already-existing opportunities in oil and gas)


Go tax-free!

We saved the best for last. If you have a family, then you’d be interested to know that Abu Dhabi offers good educational facilities, cheaper food and, of course, tax-free salaries!

Working life

So how’s life for a working professional in Abu Dhabi? Apart from the very attractive tax-free salaries, companies give about 30 calendar days of leave a year and many pay for annual flights that take you home and back. Some organizations may provide accommodation or may include a housing allowance in your package. Medical insurance is also included for some and complete relocation packages are also available for the more senior positions.

The working week usually begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday.

Contrary to what some may believe, women can live extremely comfortably in Abu Dhabi. They can go out, drive, work and don’t need to wear a veil (though dressing modestly is recommended). Education and healthcare facilities are good too.

Ramadan is a period of fasting for Muslims so restaurants are shut during the day, but the night-time dining during this period is full of zest. Most companies usually work only about four hours a day during this time and the Eid holidays post Ramadan go on for up to a week.

Getting a job

Getting a job in Abu Dhabi is tough even with growing opportunities, as many expats are constantly on the move in the Gulf. But the system is more flexible now and skills aren’t as specific as they may be in other countries. So the best way to go about it is sending your CV across to expat career websites, making the right friends and spreading the word. Word of mouth is invaluable here!

For quick help with your application, use our FREE TRIAL of the Personal Job Hunt Manager where a real person helps you at every stage of your job search process, finds jobs that fit your profile and tailors your CV & applications to the selected jobs. Find your job in Abu Dhabi now!


Why No Interview Offers?

5 Commented February 3 2011
Categorized Under: Career Tips

Applying online may seem simple, yet you need to get it perfect to receive a response. In fact you have to think like those recruiters who are perpetually hunting for the right candidate. For them, finding the right candidate is somewhat like hunting for the right shoe… it has to be right size, the right colour, the right style… in other words, a perfect fit. And you too, as a job seeker need to get your act right while applying online. Here’s what you need to remember while searching for that perfect opportunity…

Is this advert for me?

You have come across an advertisement that sounds interesting; your next move is to just go ahead and send that application. Wait a minute… you need to do something else before taking the plunge. You need to read what the advertisement says minutely and understand very clearly what the company is looking for. What are the skill-sets needed, the qualifications and the experience preferred by the company… if you meet these, you move on…

Stand out amidst the crowd

You are obviously not the only one who has applied for that job. There are hundreds of applications for the same position and you certainly want yours to be picked out from that pile. So, get a little creative and make your resume/CV striking. Make your headline interesting, or make the overall look of your resume/CV eye-catching. Remember, you need to grab the recruiting manager’s attention to even consider your profile for the position advertised. So, it is critical to stick out amongst the rest.

Tailor your application

Every job has its own specific requirements; so customise your resume/CV to fit the bill. Mention the skill sets that are asked for in the advertisement and leave out skills which you have but which may not be relevant to that job. Your application should be fast and easy to read. Most applications are skimmed through by the super busy recruiting managers. So make sure you highlight how you can meet this specific employer’s needs. Stating your objective is important too; emphasise any experiences that match with those attitudes and outlook expressed in the advertisement. Be ambitious, yet realistic. Also, use the right keywords to boost your chances of getting past the concerned person. Remember, employers do a keyword search to fill specific positions.

Be brief and specific

List your most relevant and impressive credentials in a brief manner and close to the beginning of your application. Your credentials should come to the fore in 30 seconds max. Break your resume/CV in short paragraphs and use bullets and headings to do this. Also, be specific while stating your skills and past employment responsibilities. So, if you were a project manager, say “spearheaded a team of 6 people as a project manager”. Use full names, acronyms, synonyms for words describing jobs, thereby making your resume/CV more searchable. Besides, clearly state all academic and work achievements. Highlight the skills and qualities that the employer is seeking and show proof of that on the application.

Timing is key

Most importantly, timely application is crucial to catch the attention of the recruiting managers. It’s like the adage, “The early bird catches the worm”. Again, remember, a recruiter is inundated with hundreds of applications for the same position almost as soon as a job is posted. And, you want your profile to be picked amongst the sea of applications. Also, the recruiter has a deadline to meet too. Ameesha, one of our Personal Job Hunt Managers, has observed: “Ideally, what matters the most is to be a part of that first set of applications, which are received within 24 – 48 working hours after a requirement is posted. Also, every vacancy has an expiry date, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting noticed are. Also, once the recruiter has a few applications they may start the process of reviewing and shortlisting - so the first applicants are at an advantage. Chances are that postings that are a few days old may be filled already.
Applying online for jobs is really not that complicated - if you do adhere to the above while doing so. You also should maintain a record of the applications and the cover letters you have sent – just so as to know what you have mentioned in the application if you do get an interview call. Remember, a creative, customised and clear application is critical to be considered and eventually called in for a discussion. But yet, if you think the whole process of online applications a bit daunting, fret not; just turn to our Personal Job Hunt Mangers for help. We’re offering you a FREE TRIAL as a way to get you started.
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Revitalising Your Career With A Change of Scene

one Commented February 3 2011
Categorized Under: Career Tips

Your career is doing great but you suddenly feel demotivated and are losing interest in your work. It maybe a personal problem; or you fear a lay off. Or, you are facing a burnout in your career even though you have a secure job that gave you good appraisals, promotions, awards even. It’s time you took stock of the situation…

Am I going through a career crisis?

You feel listless, snap at people often, and feel resentful. You have become hard to get along with. Work now, is more a drudgery. Your family too faces the brunt of your ire. It’s a wake-up call. You have hit a crisis in your career; the reason could be either…personal or professional.

Now that you have admitted that you do have an issue to deal with, attend to it at the earliest – before it creates more complications in your life.

Move on to newer pastures: Should I? Should I not?

You may already be contemplating ways to get out of the rut. New job, new career twist or maybe even a new city. Have you though considered a new country?!

Yes, international job moves are no longer in the realm of fantasy. The world is shrinking and jobs abroad are becoming more accessible. Emerging markets offer good opportunities and many niche or far-away jobs also offer good perks and some locations are tax-free havens.

But don’t take any drastic step like quitting your current job without deciding on what you want to do next. The prospect of moving to a new country and the excitement of an expat lifestyle may be the answer if you’re just demotivated or burnt out. However, if you’re being laid off or are stagnant in your career then you need to evaluate if an overseas move would really help in your particular situation. So how do you decide?

One of the best ways to deal with this issue is to write down what you liked and disliked about your working life. This will give you clarity on what made you happy and what didn’t. Then, put down your short-term and long-term goals. Write down what you think your ideal job should be. Then search out available opportunities overseas and see if anything fits in with your requirements (or any of your dreams!). This will give you more clarity on what your next move should be.

Different Strokes

If you feel that moving overseas maybe the answer to your career crisis, think of the new and different possibilities you can explore that you haven’t considered until now. Since the world is shrinking at an enormous pace, you will be surprised at the number of opportunities available abroad. This may lead to a career change, but you never know how much you would enjoy your new career if you don’t even give it a shot, right? For instance, you can take up teaching English in China or any other country where there’s a dearth of English tutors.

Some of you may want to consider relocating to another country in your present job sector itself. There is a shortage of qualified and skilled personnel in many parts of the world and you never know how quickly you may bag an international job. A new place with new people, new hangouts, a new work culture, will make you feel invigorated. A new setting will also provide different ways to deal with the same problems.

International Work Experience

Besides giving you a change of scene, international exposure and experience will also surely add to your credentials. In fact, many professionals are actively seeking out opportunities to work in multi-cultural teams and gain global work experience as it helps take them a step up the corporate ladder. You may also wish to work abroad to give your children the international edge - to help them understand other cultures, learn new languages, adjust to new environments and enrich their education. So, do consider the overseas option as it may benefit you in several ways in the long run.

Whatever the particular situation you are facing, the key is to accept and deal with the issue. And to remain positive and optimistic and do things that you enjoy.

Need some help?

And if you need any help in hunting for international opportunities, you could turn to our Personal Job Hunt Managers. They are specialists who tailor the job search process to your unique requirements and guide you every step of the way. Click here for a free trial to see if this is the way out of your career crisis.
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Are You a Smart Job Searcher?

one Commented February 1 2011
Categorized Under: Career Tips
 

Smart Searches:
6 Tips to Help You
Search Jobs Efficiently

Today, we all use the internet to search for even the most mundane information; so using it for looking for a job has become a given - especially if you are looking at relocating to another country and don’t have access to local knowledge. But, it’s important to learn how to search correctly for opportunities overseas. Read on for some tips on searching smartly online.
Go for advanced search

First things first… With hundred of jobsites out there, you can get quite lost while hunting for jobs. We suggest you use your ingenuity and also try Google’s ‘Advanced Search’ option. This option is right there…on the right side of the search bar. Click on it and type the exact words you want in your search. This feature also allows you to exclude any words from your search if you so wish. Besides, Google offers some clever tips to filter your search and cut out the unwanted clutter. Try it now. The ‘Advanced Search’ feature is not that simple to use at first, but in just a few tries, your search strategy will get better and better, giving you more accurate results and throwing up jobs that are really worth your time.

Quote Unquote!

Did you ever think that using quotes can actually up your chances of finding the right jobs? Yes… using quotes for your keywords does just that; the search engine picks up the exact phrase you typed in. So, instead of marketing jobs, try using quotation marks and typing in “marketing jobs”. You wonder what the difference is. Well, we’ll explain… searching for broad keywords such as marketing jobs (without quotes) could potentially throw up sites with the either the word marketing or the word jobs or both words somewhere in their content but not necessarily in the same phrase. Whereas “marketing jobs” forces the search engine to show results that contain both the words marketing jobs in that order, as an exact phrase, thus ensuring that you get what you’re after … a job in marketing.

Put on that thinking cap

Get creative; think out-of-the-box is what we mean. Play around with different keywords. For instance, try giving a search for careers in marketing instead of marketing jobs. This may open up a wider variety of relevant websites and job opportunities. Think of other job titles that may describe the same type of job you are looking for. Let us explain…did you know that a Receptionist is referred to as First Impression Executive in several countries? Likewise, the job you refer to as Marketing Executive maybe called Marketing Administrator in another country. You can look up dictionary.com or other websites to help you find alternate keywords.

Boolean does it!

Don’t look hassled, we don’t mean to scare you off. If you aren’t already aware of the Boolean search, here’s your chance to educate yourself. It simply involves using terms such as AND, OR, NOT and several others, to tell the search engine what exactly you are and what you are not looking for. For e.g., Project AND Manager OR Lead…this tells the search engine to show results for either Project Manager or Project Lead. This way, you can make your search more flexible and improve the quality of your search results. In addition, if you also use quotes around terms, your results will show the specific phrase you have punched the in. Here are some links that help you learn how to use Boolean search.

Flip that search

Whew! You’ve had a harrowing time looking for that elusive job. You’ve exhausted the obvious ways to searching online for your dream job but you’re not yet happy with the ones you’ve found. Now what do you do? Flip Search: it involves locating other websites which link to a website that you are interested in - i.e, searching through link association. Try typing link: xyz.com (where xyz.com is the website of a company where you want to work) in Yahoo Search (as this may not be supported by all search engines) and you will get a list of other websites which also have links to xyz.com. This means all these websites have some content which may generate leads for you because of the common interest in xyz.com. A pretty indirect way of searching, for sure. But this is what is used by many recruitment agencies in their search for candidates and is a part of the AIRS (Advanced Recruitment Internet Strategies) technique. These sourcing techniques and tricks are what set apart a good recruitment firm from your run-of-the-mill recruitment agencies.

Use all resources

This means exactly what it reads… use a combination of several different types of jobsites, job boards, industry-specific job sites and professional networks. Post your resume on some of the better known and even popular job sites. Look at specific company websites that are of interest to you and post your resume on their ‘Careers’ section. And how can we undermine the ever popular social networking sites! Just connecting with other professionals in your industry and being a part of groups relevant to your industry can open up many avenues. So, broaden the types of websites you use, while simultaneously narrowing down your search keywords. This will not only enhance your job hunt, but will give you optimal results and will uncover hidden opportunities waiting to be grabbed.

Remember, searching out jobs smartly online is a combination of art and science. It offers flexibility of time and location, and the availability to reach out to multiple connections. So, we hope you find your ideal job in your dream destination by using some of these techniques. Alternatively, our Personal Job Hunt Managers (who are specialised in many of these search strategies) could help you out. Just get in touch with our Customer Service to use their expertise instead of going the long-haul yourself.
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Dubai Employment Update (August 2010)

2 Commented August 8 2010
Categorized Under: Middle East Careers

Dubai is not only the ideal place for travelers but it has been a favorite destination for job seekers looking for greener and even better pastures. Most expatriates working here appreciate the growth oriented working atmosphere. As the earnings in Dubai are tax free, the professionals have the luxury of sending more money to their families living in their home countries. Seeing the supportive environment and growth potential, many multi-national companies are setting up their headquarters in this region and creating opportunities for jobs in Dubai.

To ensure their estimated growth rate, these companies are hiring the best professionals neglecting the boundaries of origins, religion, culture and gender etc. Finding an ideal job in Dubai is not that hard neither is it so easy. During the past couple of years, new trends and modified business environments have transformed the Dubai job market. If you are aware about these changes and future trends, your may prepare yourself accordingly to grab the opportunities.

During last few years, UAE and Kuwait made highest top job cuts and pay raise drops. According to research conducted by GulfTalent.Com, while the pay increase in real estate was the lowest, audit professionals got the highest pay increase during 2009 Read more…