vk101
I'm a North American of Indian origin, and over the last year-and-a-half I have concluded that I would really love to make a life and career for myself in Dubai. I have several uncertainties about the Dubai job market for IT professionals, and am hoping some residents might have insights or advice for me.
I'm a fairly fresh graduate with just under two years of experience as a Java web/enterprise application developer. I work for an international IT consultancy that, unfortunately, has no Dubai office. Among other things, I've noticed that compensation is a challenge - monthly salaries of Dhs 7,000 that I've seen equate to annual salaries of less than $23,000 - roughly half the going rate in North America. I realize that won't be saving as much in Dubai as in North America (based on lower salaries and a higher cost of living), but it's something I'd be willing to consider to live in Dubai; however, the number of applicable jobs seems so low that I don't think I even have that option.
When I first heard of Dubai Internet City, I was delighted, but then I learned that most of its member companies are 2-3 person shops with upsettingly unprofessional websites, or 'presence offices' that do little work other than create business for their European or American parents - neither of which I'd feel right working for. Based on your knowledge of the Dubai IT job market, do you think I'm just being picky, or am I right to expect more?
Looking at the bigger IT companies (IBM, Oracle, Sun), many do not have Dubai vacancies, and the rest have no application development openings in the city. For a city that, on multiple occassions, I've heard is trying to become an international hub of trade and technology, Dubai has an IT market that almost seems disappointing to me. Am I naive to think that there is real opportunity in Dubai that I just can't find by looking at company websites, or will doing an in-person job search in the city yield better results?
I've noticed that applying to Dubai companies won't result in callbacks, a primary reason being my North American address. No company, unless for a senior position, will conduct a phone interview with the intention of later flying the foreign candidate to their country for an in-person interview to fill the vacancy. Or am I wrong again? I should mention that I have no problem with flying to Dubai at my own expense for 2-3 weeks and doing an in-person job search, but I doubt that any IT company will complete the entire recruitment process, from application to offer, in such a short time.
My resume is strong and I am highly employable in North America - this is why I'm a little shocked that the transition hasn't been easier to Dubai. For a city comprised primarily of expatriates, other foreigners, including IT professionals, have certainly found fulfilling careers in Dubai - so what can I do differently?
I would really love to be in Dubai, but I'm finding that it's a difficult path. Do you have any suggestions for me about navigating the IT job market in Dubai - in particular, for the types of jobs that interest me (i.e. related to Java or application development). Are you or do you know of any insiders of Dubai Internet City or of Dubai's IT community that might be able to help me in any way?
I feel confused and at a dead end for finding a job in Dubai, and fear that my
Dubai dream will end before it begins - what can I do?
Thank you.
sage & onion
Moved from Expat help on Posters request. MOD
studstar
i've noticed that as well in most research i did, that as opposed to other growing areas, dubai doesnt seem to have a lot to offer YET to IT professionals, as opposed to say, opportunities in Singapore- which are aplenty. You might wnt to consider down there first then perhaps making your way to Dubai when the IT industry have picked up some. generally the engineering and construction jobs are the ones that offer a lof of jobs,, and the services industry-- hotels, retail, etc. im sure Dubai will get to the level of the IT industry in Singapore and even Malaysia soon enough. it will take a bit more time.
salman79
I guess, you are right, finding a job in Dubai could be very difficult especially when you are applying from a remote country, there is a significant factor of LUCK (or uncontorllables), my suggestion is to try an get an interview from anybody in Dubai and once you are here you may try other options as well, best of luck
dbxsoul
You also need to put many industries in Dubai in context - the IT industry included.
In Dubai the IT industry (such as it is) has not evolved over a long period of time as it has in other parts of the world such as California, India, Singapore, Thailand and the UK.
The "industry" was basically created from nothing over a period spanning 8 - 10 years, this is largely due to the presence of initiatives such as the "internet city free zone", there is no endemic IT culture to speak of such as the type that has evolved over a period of 20 to 30 years - such as Singapore, Taiwan and silicone valley due to the proximity of hardware developers.
The sudden creation and sudden population of an IT free zone has meant that many of these businesses are suddenly placed in a context that is not only foreign to them, but also foreign to the region. IT (as well as a number of other industries) that have been "created" will still have to undergo a lot of teething problems before they can be considered "naturalised".