With a tax-free wage and a multicultural lifestyle, Dubai has become a very popular relocation point – for both young people and families. The job market is on the rise, and there are some great career opportunities out there for both junior and senior roles.
The idea of moving abroad is exciting, but it can also be daunting. Before you make the decision to leave the UK, there are a few important things you need to consider – read on to find out everything you need to know.
How much research have you done?
Maybe you can't research everything before you go, however, relocating can be disorientating, so knowing as much as you can before you go will help with the adjustments. You can start by simply looking online - job platforms, blogs and government sites are a great place to start for an introduction and background information on Dubai.
Destination reviews are also useful as they provide information and resources about job markets, properties, schools and more. It’s worth reaching out to people that have relocated to Dubai themselves, or speaking to friends of friends, so that you can get some top tips on what to expect.
The UAE Government website provides great insight and useful information into the entry requirements for UK visitors, you can read more about it here.
What do you want from your next job?
If you move to the UAE from the UK it might take time to adjust, and roles may be different to what you’re used to, so it is vital that you have clear goals as to what exactly you want from your next job.
Perhaps you want career progression, development, flexibility, stability or even just a different working culture – these are all aspects you need to clarify before committing to Dubai. It might be a good idea to look at what motivates you personally to figure out what you want professionally, and whether Dubai is the right place for you to find it.
Heading into this situation with a clear idea of what you want will help you in the process and allow you to create clear and achievable goals.
Have you visited Dubai?
This might seem obvious, but visiting Dubai on holiday before you commit to it as a place to live is essential. Once you have an idea of the area you want to move to, book some time off and explore as much as you can.
Spending time in the area that you might be living in is the best way to get an idea of what to expect, and more importantly, if you like it. Remember, this is a big decision to make, so taking serious steps like this is necessary before making the move.
How will it impact your friends and family?
Will you be relocating with your family? Will you be heading off on your own, leaving your family behind in the UK? A move to Dubai won’t only affect you, it may also have a great impact on those close to you.
It’s a good idea to consider what life will be like outside of work – for example, how will your children adapt to a new school? Will you be able to have the social life you want?
It’s important that you make sure you can successfully maintain good communication with all the important people in your life, as relocation can be a stressful change for both you and your family and friends.
Have you explored what jobs are accessible to you?
Finally (and this is the exciting part!) it’s time to take a look at what jobs are available to you. You may already have a job in place, but if not, then job boards and recruitment agencies are a good starting point.
Explore the market as much as you can and try to align your wants and needs with what is available to you – and be prepared to wait for the right fit.
A recruiter may also be able to help you match your skills and experience to what is available in the Dubai job market, you can contact one of our experts in the UAE here.
