Tips for working in Abu Dhabi
If you like the idea of working where the sun is always shining, salaries are high and you can live in luxurious surroundings, it’s time to look seriously at Abu Dhabi. More and more Westerners are settling there and finding it very welcoming. The economy is booming and society is opening up and increasingly looking outward, forming business connections with the wider world.
A city of opportunity
In the vibrant environment of Abu Dhabi, there are a huge number of opportunities for skilled professionals. Standards of living are increasing, and local people want to spend. However, Abu Dhabi is still under-supplied with products and services. As local businesses undergo rapid expansion in an effort to keep up, significant skills gaps are merging. A lot of these are being filled by foreign workers, who are well rewarded for their labors.
Sectors in demand
While there are opportunities in many areas, some are particularly keen to attract talent from abroad:
IT - This rapidly growing sector is serving the needs of a populace hungry for the latest gadgets and a business sector in which many companies are setting up IT systems despite their limited past experience of computer work. Systems engineers, support technicians and security experts are all in high demand now.
Construction - As business owners and wealthy individuals compete to create landmarks to new prosperity, the city’s shining towers are posing serious challenges for architects and engineers. Less visible but just as significant is the demand for improved housing for people from all backgrounds, and the infrastructure to support it.
Oil & gas - Companies based in Abu Dhabi not only operate locally but manage operations in several other Middle Eastern countries too. Highly skilled structural and chemical engineers are in constant demand, as are rig workers with experience in challenging environments in other areas, as exploratory work is constantly being done.
What you need to know
In order to work in Abu Dhabi you will need to obtain a work permit, usually referred to as a residence visa sponsorship. If you secure a job before you go, your employer may be able to help you with this. You can also go there as a tourist to look for work without attracting unwelcome attention from the authorities. If you want to set up as a contractor, experienced umbrella companies like atlantic-umbrella.com, whose staff know the city well, can help take care of your paperwork. Bear in mind that everyone finds it difficult to find clients from abroad; it’s just the way the local business culture works. Once you’re there, you’ll find it fairly simple to network and meet useful people.
Despite what you may expect, it’s perfectly possible for women to work in most business occupations in Abu Dhabi. Regardless of who you are, it’s important to be polite and friendly at all times and never lose your temper. The business people who succeed in the city have strong diplomatic skills and manage meetings so that everybody can feel like a winner. Taking the time to adjust to cultural issues like this will prove highly rewarding and really help your Abu Dhabi career to take off.
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