I was just wondering what it would be like to go to Middle East after taking Canadian citizenship. How are jobs and what kinds of jobs are available for professionals in ME. I am thinking seriously about going to ME after taking citizenship, what say guys…all inputs appreciated.

Thanks

IceCube,
It depends on your profession.
Middle East is not good for IT jobs but it is generally better rewarding (money wise) for most otehr professions.
Otherwise, it is the best for Construction, Manufacturing, Oil and GAs related, Engineering, Doctors, Nurses etc.. Engineering jobs are best recogonised there.
However, Dubai, which was the crown of the middle east is getting the flack with respect to Construction jobs. and currently with the Oil price at $46 a barrel, there are severe cutbacks to the salary / jobs (while inflation is still high). The rest of the Gulf region is on a wait and watch attitude. I would not recommend you to look for jobs until Oil is atleast steady at $60 + and with Oil at $75 a barrel, you can blindly go to the middle east. People that I have been talking to say that if you have progressive experience in Canada + Cdn passport +partial Cdn Experience, you will get a very good salary. I hope you do know that money in the Gulf is Tax free + they give you free paid vacation for one month after 11 months of work +free airfare for self and family + free accomodation + free car and gas (all this for states other than UAE. In UAE you get a consolidated pay but with no exit / rentry visa restrcitions, you can even fly to India on a weekend and come back to work on a week day).
At this point I must also say that many low level jobs also thrive in the Gulf when compared to Canada. Examples include Air ticketing agents, Lab Technicians, Receptionists, Logistics advisors etc..These kind of people struggle to find a foot hold in Canada while they enjoy nice life in the Gulf.
Saudi would be place that I would advise you to avoid unless you get a very professional position with nice package.
The countries that you could try (in the order of preference is )

1. UAE (Cosmolpolitan place. Even better than any city of NA for recreation , enjoyment, spending , fast life, seeing Desi's, etc..)
2. Qatar ( Was a backward state until very recently when the economy got going. Rapid development with nice pay.)
3. Kuwait (very rich area. Life is a balance between high pay and nice facilities)
4. Bahrain (same as Kuwait)
5. Oman (Not much oppertunities but when the oppertunity comes, you get a very nice package and lots of facilities.)
Hope this helps

Peace by TK

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

Thanks TK for the response, let me very specific. I have an MBA from USA, two years of work ex in Accounting right after graduation and then three years in IT (All this in the US) - and now a year of work ex in Accounting again here in Canada. I know I still have time even if I decide to go to ME but I just wanted to find out the details.
Also, I don't think it's worth doing contracting/temp Accounting jobs here in Canada if ME offers better. What say about Accounting positions like Accounts Manager in ME.

Thanks again

I think you should have a fairly good chance of getting a plum job offer provided you strike the correct opportunity .

If I were you , I would ready a database of top companies , country wise and apply to them all by mail ... and wait for the fish to bite ....

In order of preference , I would rate .... UAE - Qatar - Kuwait - Bahrain / Oman .

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Fido.

I don't want to sound like a racist (and trigger a whole series of to and fro threads) but after spending 11 years in Dubai with my family ( and I loved every second of it there), whatever be your qualifications and however competent you may be, you have little chance of being selected.

Reason # 1 - They prefer whites (the Brits have cornered all the good jobs there)
Reason # 2 - Even if you get selected, you will be amazed to find out (later on!!) that you were offered a much lower pay scale than what would have been offered normally.

Just an example -
Indian waiter working in 5 star hotel - Pay AED700 + Food and Accom
Filipino waiter working in the same hotel - Pay AED1000 + Food and Accom
Syrian waiter working in the same hotel - Pay 1400 + Food and Accom

You see what I mean, this is just an example, mind you and no way I want to dissuade you from your goals.

But be prepared for job discrimination !

Have you heard stories about the Brit who worked as a garbage collector in his home town landing a plum job in ME because he is w----?? Its true !!

The whole of ME is reeling under recession now and chances of you finding a job there are slim.

But for starters >>> register on bayt.com

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When the going gets tough, the tough gets going!!!

I would rate Saudi Arabia as number 1. I worked in Dammam in the oil belt for 17 long years and have all happy memories. You should look at getting hired by the petro companies like QP, Aramco, KOC, KNPC etc. They really pay well and take care of all expenses. BTW what job are you looking for?

I wonder why they prefer Whites but I guess it is the Colonialism hangover, anyway some of my friends in ME suggested me to come to ME with a Western passport as you would be getting better pay for Western PP's for the job for which an Asian is paid less.
I thought I would be able to compensate for my skin colour with a foreign Passport...(do I have to get pigmented too...ha ha)
I don't know how good Bayt is right now but I tried Bayt when I was in the US, never got any good offer.

Seriously, is ME that bad that you have to think twice before making a decision. I always wanted to go there but never could as my friends there always discouraged me saying that you get a western PP and then come. Anyway there is still some more time for me to decide...Appreciate your responses....

MNR
I am looking for senior Accounting positions like A/P, A/R Manager other such designations. Though I have a Supply Chain specialization in my MBA but I never got an opportunity work in the field..would have been great to work though.

Thanks All