Two of my friends ( One from Canada and one from India) want to work in the Middle East. Both are Electrical Engineers. Can someone give any leads or suggestions?

Thanks and regards.
Biomed

-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Change before you have to" : Jack Welch

Biomed, I'd like to know what kind of experience your friends have?

electrical engg jobs could be in very vast ranging industries ranging from construction to IT industry . Depending on the type experience they have, this is what i can suggest based on my limited experience in Middle east

1. Try to contact and arrange employment from US/Canada before leaving and then they can reap real expatriate benefits. There and many US/Canadian firms looking for people to go out for their middle east projects, they readily hire US/Canadian citizens for their projects.

I'd highly discourage going there in person and doing jobsearch in the local job markets. Just like US/Canada, if a person goes there and then starts job hunt, it can be a very brutal experience. Since there is no control on salary levels, some companies exploit skilled professionals because of glut of professionals in the job market. Try to avoid that.

Since I am into enginnering and construction industry , I can suggest this site. http://www.enr.com" rel="nofollow">LINK
here they can find a long list of international builders and contractors who have operations overseas and in the middle east. This should be a good place to start.

2. If you get a big fat contract , great...if not ...then avoid taking family.
one can save a big chunk of salary by staying single. No taxes, no insurance, just spend on food and phone.


Good luck to your friends ..

-----------------------------------------------------------------
What can be imagined, can be achieved.

Hi Biomed,

Some jobs site which helpful for them-
1) http://www.jobtrackme.com " rel="nofollow">LINK
2) http://www.bacme.com" rel="nofollow">LINK
3) http://www.kershawleonard.net" rel="nofollow">LINK
4) http://www.talentdubai.com" rel="nofollow">LINK
5) http://www.clarendonparker.com" rel="nofollow">LINK
6) http://www.sosrecruitment.net" rel="nofollow">LINK Are some leading jobs recruitment sites.

But here also in ME(middle east) now a days it’s not easy to get job without your personal effort. You have to come here & register yourself with this recruited companies. For this they have to arrange visiting visa from some airlines if they don't have any contacts in UAE ( Canadian citizens don’t require visit visa).

Some points to keep in mind before accept job-

1) Your salary should not be less than 10,000 dhs.
2) Keep a good look on your employment Contract.
3) If their kids are doing graduation then avoid to bring them here, not good education facilities for them. Here all Indian’s kids are going for their further studies in India or in abroad.

Hope this will help.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Visit-
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CanadianDesan/

In UAE lot of Construction is going and that too at a rapid speed and i am sure it must have created lot of vacancies for Engineers. Lot of visitors from India and Pakistan do come over here on visit visas and try their luck for jobs.

I dont want to sound negative but without reference and middleast experience it becomes little tough to be considered for job.

I agree with jyothi that one needs to be present here for a job. If someone is looking out for a job who is from North America or Europe chances to get job are higher and possibility to get job without reference as well.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Manjeet Singh

MI, Jyoti and Manjeet.. thanks a lot for your help and suggestions.
Regards.
biomed

-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Change before you have to" : Jack Welch

_____________________________
If someone is looking out for a job who is from North America or Europe chances to get job are higher and possibility to get job without reference as well.
_________________________________
Hi Manjeet,
Could you be more specific on that please? Does this mean any North American citizen of any color or just whites?
How good are the chances of getting a good job (> 10000 dhs plus accomodation, with family or just single) for any desi with Canadian passport and that too while sitting here in Canada?

Thx and Rgds

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sanjeev Manocha, MBA
Real Estate Sales Representative
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

Re/Max West Realty Inc, Brokerage
96, Rexdale Blvd., Toronto

Mobile: 416-843-7600
Office: 416-745-2300
http://www.manocharealty.com" rel="nofollow">LINK

Sanjeev or should I say Happyji
even tho u asked Manjeet , i'd like to share my 2 cents on this as well

some agencies there are pretty blunt, they'd go on to the extent of saying in their ad that only US/UK citizens or those with western education need apply.It is just a way to eliminate candidates from Indian subcontinent and other developing countries. I dont know if it is still the same case but 8 yrs b ack i was pretty amazed to see such ads in the papers.
Many desis who are US/Canadian/UK citizens do get such jobs. Generally such jobs are better paying and more secured.

I heard about 3 indians who went as US citizens for job search in dubai, one got really lucky and got hired by ABB right away, the other 2 wasted lots of time and money and came back.
I'd suggest contact the recruiters from here itself and try to schedule some interviews beforehand . a call to a recruiter from US/Canada will get more attention and interest than a call from India.
Take advantage of your location and citizenship status and things will workout favouably.

Good luck.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
What can be imagined, can be achieved.