BY: SHEYI SHOBAYO

STEPHENSHOBAYO@GMAIL.COM
Firstly, I need to give you some information about the country, United Arab Emirates.
The United Arab Emirates Listeni/junatd rb mrts/ (Arabic:
Dawlat al-Imrt al-Arabiyyah al-Muttaidah), sometimes simply called the Emirates
or the UAE,[note 1] is an Arab country in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula on the
Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south, as well as sharing
sea borders with Qatar and Iran.
The UAE is a federation of seven emirates (equivalent to principalities), each governed by a
hereditary emir, who choose one of their members to be the president of the federation. The
constituent emirates are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and
Umm al-Quwain. The capital is Abu Dhabi, which is also the state's center of political,
industrial, and cultural activities.[7] Islam is the official religion of the UAE, and Arabic is
the official language.[8]
Since 1962, when Abu Dhabi became the first of the emirates to begin exporting oil, the
country's society and economy were transformed. The late Sheikh Zayed, ruler of Abu Dhabi
and president of the UAE at its inception, oversaw the development of all the emirates and
directed oil revenues into healthcare, education and the national infrastructure.[9]
UAE oil reserves are ranked as the world's seventh-largest.[10] It also possesses the world's
seventh largest reserves natural gas resources[11] and it is one of the most developed
economies in Western Asia. Per capita income is the world's seventh-highest.[12]
Oil was first discovered in the 1950s. At the beginning of the 1960s, the first oil company
teams carried out preliminary surveys and the first cargo of crude was exported from Abu
Dhabi in 1962. As oil revenues increased, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Zayed bin Sultan Al
Nahyan, undertook a massive construction program, building schools, housing, hospitals and
roads. When Dubais oil exports commenced in 1969, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the de
facto ruler of Dubai, was also able to use oil revenues to improve the quality of life of his
people.[25]
In 1955, the United Kingdom sided with Abu Dhabi in the latter's dispute with Oman over the
Buraimi Oasis, another territory to the south.[26] A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and
Saudi Arabia would have settled the Abu Dhabi-Saudi border dispute; however, the
agreement has yet to be ratified by the UAE government and is not recognized by the Saudi
government. The border with Oman also remains officially unsettled, but the two
governments agreed to delineate the border in May 1999.[27]
The British had set up a development office that helped in some small developments in the
emirates. The seven sheikhs of the emirates then decided to form a council to coordinate
matters between them and took over the development office. In 1952, they formed the Trucial
States Council,[28] and appointed Adi Bitar, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum's legal
advisor, as Secretary General and Legal Advisor to the Council. The council was terminated
once the United Arab Emirates was formed.[29] The development of the oil industry in the
1960s, encouraged unification of the sheikdoms. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became ruler
of Abu Dhabi in 1966 and the British started losing their oil investments and contracts to U.S.
oil companies.[30] As independence loomed in 1968, Bahrain and Qatar joined the Trucial
States. Differences caused them to leave the union in 1971. Those stuffs above copied from
Wikipedia. Should you need more information, Google is your friend but I doubt if thats the
reason why you bought this package. Now lets get down.

DUBAI VISA
To start with, there are different types of Dubai visa, I will be discussing about the 2 weeks
business visa and the 1, 2 or 3 months tourist visa. To get the 2 weeks business visa, it is very
easy. You get your agent, pay them and you get your visa within few days most times its
within 48 hours.
Ill like to blow their covers in this report, as its what you paid for. Did you actually know
that the visa youre been charge $200 - $400 for cost only $103? Anyways, if you doubt me,
let me show you the secret now. There is a company called Travel and Technology Services a
subsidiary of Ethiad Airways and they are the country representative of Ethiad Airways.
What they do is get you your visa and YOU MUST travel through Ethiad airways.
Here you go: https://www.ttsuaevisas.com/Home/Index.aspx?CountryID=38 that is their
website. The main manager as at the time of writing this report Mr. Andrew and you can
contact him on 08129112348 should you doubt that, you can go to their website and see
their contact page, you will see his phone number there. Always make sure you check the
contact details on the site before calling anybody. But as long as its Mr. Andrew, just tell
him Sheyi Shobayo directed you and hell treat you fine at least instead of paying 122k for
ticket, he takes 110k a fair deal right?
Visa Type Duration
Visa Fee
(All inclusive fee in US Dollars )
Visit 90 days 355
Tourist 30 days 83
96 Hours Visa (Transit) 96 hours 68
Entry permit 14 days 103

As at the time of writing this, March 2013, above is the visa fee as detailed on their website.
The information above alone is okay to save you stress and thousands of naira.
There is this might of 2 years or 5 years Dubai working visa, excuse me, it is waste of money
and time as you do not need those permit/visa to get a job in Dubai. All, I mean every client
of mine working in Dubai today all came in with 1 month visas (and 2 or 3 months in some
special/lucky cases) and within the first 1 month, they get their job and work permit
processed within few days by the company. So why pay a sum of 350k for a permit that your
company (when employed in Dubai) will get for you free of charge? If luck and hard work
does not favour you, then you have to renew your 1 month visa for another one month which
is done there in Dubai easily by paying same amount of money but I tell you this, its very
rare for anyone that has this report not to find a job within the first 2 weeks of living in Dubai
provided you follow what I've written here.
Now that the issue of visa has been solved, it takes a maximum of 5 working days to get your
visa through TTS, a subsidiary of Etihad Airways. My first application took a maximum of 4
working days. Etihad actually own TTS from my insider findings!
I've met lot of Nigerians stranded in Dubai looking for jobs that their agents promised them.
N1, 000, 000 per month job. Excuse me, do you mean the job that everyone is trying to get
pays as much as that? That means there will be no Nigerian back home if that is the case. In
this package, I will guide you through on how to get a job fast there are good companies out
there that helps you secure job though but whats the essence of paying for something you
can actually do on your own.
(For those who did not get or apply for jobs from Nigeria - First thing, when you get to
Dubai, you stay a night at the hotel and get an apartment the next day through an agent.
The hotels are cost in Dubai but here are few cheap ones that with N8000 you will get a
night stay or with N4000 you can share a hotel bed with someone there. Check out blue
diamond hotel, deira park hotel and dolphin hotel. Once the Etihad bus drops you at
Chelsea Towers, you take a taxi to any of those hotels and it costs a maximum of DHS20.
These are the ones I advice my people to use on their first arrival in Dubai. I f you got the
money, you can live alone in there and if not, you can get a shared room with someone and
pay half the fee for a night the next day, you set on the journey of getting your own
apartment.
Before we get to the job aspect which youre most passionate about, lets discuss the issue
of getting a good apartment and at a cheap price. Keep this in mind, you are going to pay
for your monthly house rent in Dubai unlike whats obtainable in Nigeria and some other
African countries. The fee is damn much for you to pay 2 years upfront. For you to spot a
very good agent, the best thing you have to do is ask around in your hotel and they will
point a very good agent to you and you have to be extra careful about this. Should you
need further help on this, do not hesitate to contact me on my email
pear_prince@yahoo.com and I promise to always reply fast. Please take your time if it
means spending one more night at the hotel before you get a good apartment. Be careful
and ask around. Even after youve been shown the apartment, you can still ask people to
know the real cost of the apt. On average, I will ask you to keep 65k for rent per month but
if you need a partner, then it could be as low as 34k per month. Thats two of you in a
room but if its only you in the room, be ready to pay at least 65k monthly. Also note you are
responsible for whatever you will need in the room, unlike the one below:
If youre trying to be frugal here, then you can keep $200 to share room with 4-6 people in
the room. Thats what most guys do in Dubai and ladies as well its not a big deal to
them, though there is no privacy for you but at least you got somewhere to sleep and get up
next morning to continue with your job.)
If you secure a good job from Nigeria which you will read how below, then you do not need
to go through those stress of renting an apartment or paying such amount at the hotel, the
company will surely arrange something good for you and your first stay will be at a very
good hotel paid for by the company or you (at least you know youre getting a good job).
Weve settled the issue of visa, which is the most important thing and the issue of house
which is also important you can decide to live in an hotel should you have the funds to
cover for just few weeks pending the time you get a good job.
How To Get A Good Job In Dubai
Now, we get to the issue of getting a good job in Dubai and when I say good job, I mean the
best out there reasons been that if its possible for someone to get a good job, why not you?
I wish there was a straight one, two, three steps plan that if you followed, youd land a great
job in Dubai. The truth is: a job search is not that simple. But there are resources which you
can utilize to make your job search more effective. There are couples of free websites created
just to help you to find a great career in Dubai.
If you're just starting your Dubai job search, there are a few things that you need to
understand. First, you need to know how companies go about recruiting people from within
and outside of Dubai. Understanding the recruitment process in Dubai will allow you to more
efficiently allocate your job hunting efforts.
Dubai Employment: How to Conduct Your Search
You have been hearing a lot about Dubai and you wonder how it is going to be like to work
in Dubai. Perhaps you have visited Dubai or perhaps you have only seen it in pictures.
Regardless, you want to explore employment opportunities in this exotic place. But you have
tens of unanswered questions!
Very well.
Ill try to address the most important questions that Dubai employment seekers face, and I
will try to outline an effective strategy for Dubai employment seekers. Lets begin!
First: nothing about your job search should be generic. Be specific in every aspect of your job
search. Being specific will help you focus your job search effort and energy. Being too broad
will scatter your efforts all over and will make you ineffective. So:
Define Yourself
Make sure that you define yourself very clearly and precisely. Dont just be an aircraft
engineer. Define the exact types of aircraft that you specialize in and know what makes you
different. You got to be different to win in your job search. Then
Define Your Industry
Say you are a Web programmer. You may think that you can work for any company that
requires any help with the Web (and that maybe true), but if you approach your job search
with this mindset, youll hardly get anywhere. Here is what you should do instead: define
yourself further as a Web Programmer for Hospitality and Hotels Websites Now, when one
of the thousands hotels and tourism agencies in Dubai is looking for a Web
programmer/developer, do you think they will consider the guy who put down .NET Web
Programmer with 3-yrs Experience or you?
Make a List of Dubai Companies
Once you have defined yourself and your industry, its time that you delve in deeper. Make a
list of the companies that you would like to work for in Dubai.
This guide contains information on how you can find companies in and their contact
information of companies in Dubai.
Once you have identified the companies that you want to work for, call them, introduce
yourself, and get to know the person who will be your introductory point of contact in the
company.
Utilize Recruitment Agencies
Speak to recruitment agents, describe to them your specific expertise and specific industry,
and ask them to contact companies on your behalf. BUT, do not pay a dime not until you get
a good job through them. I always advice clients not to patronize them though.
Next:
What you have done so far should have given you an idea of the nature of the job search in
Dubai. Now it is time for the next inevitable step for the serious job seeker, which is coming
over to Dubai.
You Have 30 Days in Dubai
Frankly speaking, the candidates pools for most employment sectors in Dubai are
overflowing. That doesnt necessarily mean that the quality of these candidates is high; it just
means that there is a lot of distracting noise. Because of that, there is little incentive for
companies to incur the extra cost of hiring people from outside. Thats why, if you are serious
about working in Dubai, it is highly recommended that you come over here. If you are here,
companies will be much more likely to invite you for an interview.
You can apply for a Dubai visit visa that would allow you to stay in Dubai for 30 days. For
certain nationalities the visa can be obtained in Dubais International Airport (DXB), which is
very convenient. Of course, before you come here, you should have also tried to arrange for a
few interviews from your current place. As a Nigerian, Ive given you the best way to get
your visit visa to Dubai above.
The strategies that we have outlined in the beginning of your job search are still relevant in
this stage. Continue to contact companies by phone when you are in Dubai. But this time,
persist in asking for an immediate interview. Make them know that they will miss out on you
if they are unable to invite you over now.
In conclusion, focus your effort and know exactly where you want to work in Dubai. Once
you have done that, start to warm up your job search in Dubai by making phone calls and
establishing contacts while you are still outside of Dubai. Once you have done that and still
have the serious intention of working in Dubai, come over to Dubai and continue to pursue
the job opportunities that you have uncovered and the ones that you are uncovering while you
are here.
The Recruitment Process in Dubai
How Do Companies in Dubai Go About Recruiting Employees From Within and Outside of
Dubai
The answer to this question depends on the rank of the position youre seeking. If youre
gunning for the middle to top management positions e.g., HR or Purchasing Manager to
Director for Sales & Marketing, the companies interested in your qualifications are going to
go beyond the regular process to have you in for an interview. And these are normally the
multi-national corporations. When they dont have anyone in-house to fill the vacancy, theyd
normally go to recruitment firms for an executive search.
They would normally use several recruitment firms at once. When the firms have narrowed
down the selection, company HR director will review the recommendations of the firm and
make a shortlist. When you wind up in that shortlist, the fun begins. They will either fly you
in for an interview, all expense paid, of course, or if they have regional headquarters where
youre at, they will ask you to report to someone there, or they can arrange for a video-
conference to interview you. Make no mistake about it, if they want you, they have both the
money and the technology to see if you are really what they truly need or want.
If youre looking for a staff position or non-core position such as office assistants,
administrative assistants and other similar positions, company managers wont be too
concerned about your qualifications but of your ability to perform well enough to suit their
needs.
Another important factor that determines how you might be recruited is your current location.
Obviously, recruiting someone from abroad is more expensive than sourcing your workforce
locally. Holding all things equal, if the choice boils down to two candidates and one of them
is already physically in Dubai, employers would go for someone already in the country. As
Labour Laws dictate, employers cover all expenses related or incidental to recruitment and
hiring of their employees, companies would save a whole lot of money if the candidate is
already in.
Many job seekers go on foot from building to building, floor to floor, office to office and
hand their resumes to the receptionist at each place of business they can get into. Others scour
the internet and the papers for email addresses or fax numbers and send out their resumes and
CVs electronically. We wouldnt recommend that you do this, it is time consuming and you
need lot of energies to scale through.
If Youre Outside of Dubai, Should You Come to Dubai to Look for a Job?
Whether or not its wise to come to Dubai as a tourist or visitor to actively look for a job here
is a dilemma to many people. Visiting Dubai is not an inexpensive trip, especially for people
who desperately need jobs. There is no assurance that youll get hired when youre here and
are actively looking. While many have found success with their efforts and their investments
have paid off, there are equally many who have failed and have gone back to their home
countries jobless and buried in debt because of the job-hunting trip they took.
The best way, therefore, is to go halfway. What does that mean? Well, be willing to spend for
a trip prior to getting hired but do so after you have previously lined up several job interviews
from your current location. Again, there is no guarantee that you will be hired if you fly in.
However if you do, your chances of getting hired are better than those who are not physically
present. Youd be in a better position to report to interviews. But to minimize your wait time
and your related costs and expenses, float your CV before you fly in. Some companies
actually do an initial phone interview. When you get replies, you can arrange for an interview
at a future date and you can then fly in to report to your interviews and intensify your search
efforts. That way, you wont be starting from square one when you set foot on UAE soil.
There is an important fact that is frequently overlooked by job seekers. The ignorance of this
fact is the reason most job seekers tend to face difficulties in their job search. Heres the
simple fact:
Job seekers are sellers. Employers are buyers.
What does this mean? And how should it affect your job search and your outlook towards
employment?
You may, as a job seeker, send out 10s, if not 100s, of cover letters and resumes to employers
only to be disappointed with the lack of response. Then you will rationalize this
disappointment in your head. You may think to yourself:
Maybe the company is not hiring now
Maybe the person who reviews applications is on a vacation
Maybe there was a system failure that prevented my application from being received
Maybe it is something that really is out of my control
Maybe, etc
But the truth is, these causes are seldom the reason for lack of response. Employers always
have money to spend and hire new people; ALWAYS. The reason they didnt respond to
your efforts is because your offer to them is not compelling enough. You did not convince
them that you are worth buying.
What are businesses, companies, and employers interested in? One thing: money.
To convince employers of buying your service, the first thing you need to do is to refine
yourself and specialize in one field and then show them that your specialty can bring them
money.
You need to:
first, examine your specialty and your capabilities
second, market your specialty by targeting your job application
third, sell your specialty by showing employers the benefits of having you
Examine Your Specialty
In order to examine if you have a specialized skill, ask yourself the following question: can
you utilize your skills to earn a living independently and without the help of an
employer, for example as a freelance consultant, designer or writer?
If not, then is it because you lack the platform that the employer provides or is it because you
are not sure of the value of your skills in the open market?
If youre not sure of the value of what you do, then Dubai may not be for you, yet. As I have
said in our other employment guides, Dubai companies offer minimal training and expect
employees to hit the ground running. Dubai employers are not out there to discover your
hidden qualities and talents. They want you to teach them what you do and do it for them.
Furthermore, if you answered no, perhaps you should take some time off, think about your
future, and discover exactly what you enjoy and what you would like to do with your time.
If you answered yes then you are more than ready. Now its time to put on the salesman
and marketer hat.
Targeting Your Job Application
In marketing it is known that targeted messages receive the highest response.
However, due to the difficulty that is associated with creating a quality targeted job
application, you may opt for quantity. In other words, instead of tailoring your applications to
a few companies and hiring managers, you may create a template message that you
broadcast to 100s of employers. In reality, when it comes to sales and marketing, quality is
much more important than quantity. Think about yourself: are you more likely to respond to a
spam email that goes out to 1000s of people, or are you more likely to respond to an email
that addresses you by name and discusses issues that are relevant to your life at the moment?
Exactly. Thats what you should do.
For example, you may see a job posted on XYZJobs.com. Write down the company name
and the department of the company that posted the job. Then find the contact information of
the company. Then call them up and ask to speak to the manager of the department that
posted the job. When you are asked by the phone operator for the reason of your call, say that
you have important questions about the posted job description, and you need clarifications.
Speak with confidence and authority. When you are connected to the manager (be polite, but
dont let him/her intimidate you; he/she is not your manager, yet. Its just someone on the
phone who may be the stupidest person in the world), ask the questions that you have. Ask
him what he really wants in the person who hell hire. Ask what traits he likes, etc. Also, take
this opportunity to introduce yourself and learn the name and, if possible, the email and direct
phone number of the manager. This information will help you target your message to this
manager directly.
Tell me: how many job seekers do you suppose will go to this length in order to secure a job?
Very few. If you follow this procedure, you will have instantly put yourself ahead of all job
seekers. Additionally, with the information that you will have acquired through this
procedure, you will be able to tailor your application to the specific requirements of this
manager and his department. It will be very hard for them to not consider you for the job.
Selling Your Job Application
Now that we have talked about the importance of targeted messages, we should now address
the importance of the content of your targeted message. What exactly should you say in your
job application in order to sell it?
There are two important principles of selling that you should keep in mind when you send out
your application
Make it very clear exactly what you do. Dont let them get confused in trying to
understand where to place you in their organization.
In your profile whenever you mention one of your strengths, follow with a sentence
that describes how this strength can be a benefit to their business.
For example, if you have 12-years of experience in marketing, in your profile, dont just say
A dynamic professional with 12-years experience in marketing. Instead, emphasize how
they can benefit from your 12-years of experience by saying something like, With my 12-
years of marketing experience, Im capable of creating and executing marketing campaigns
that are guaranteed to enhance the brand and perception of [insert company name] to increase
long term profitability.
Whenever you mention one of your strengths, make it clear to the reader how this strength
will contribute to their profitability and make them a better company. Dont make the reader
have to think in order to figure out how you could help them.
If you follow the outlined procedure in this article, you will never be unemployed again
because you will no longer need employment. Instead, employment will need YOU.
Complete Lists of Companies in Dubai
It is vital for you to know which companies are in Dubai and how to contact them. Knowing
this will not only help you solicit your employment; but once (or if) you are employed, you
can generate hundreds or even thousands of prospective B2B customers simply by using the
tools that I am about to show you.
Heres what you will be able to do with these tools:
Research 1,000s of companies based on their industry (i.e. real estate, IT, hospitality, airlines,
etc)
Find the contact information of each company
Send these companies your resume/CV, promotions, or questions
I will provide you with resources that will show you comprehensive lists of every single
company in Dubai from the smallest barbershop to the biggest oil conglomerate, which brings
me to an important point:
General Profile of Companies in Dubai
Having started small and grown big so fast, Dubai is the host to a diverse range of businesses
of various types and industries. When you go to the old areas of Dubai, such as Bur Dubai or
Deira, you will see lots of sole-proprietorship, 5 meters by 5 meters, small stores that sell
electronics, clothes, kids toys and an assortments of other widgets. However, business-to-
consumer (B2C) companies in new areas of Dubai, such as Dubai Marina, al-Barsha, and
Jumeira are big department stores and malls. So, if youre looking for a place that sells
specialty or niche items, look in Deira or Bur Dubai. If youre looking for a department store
with a proper return and exchange policy, look in new Dubai.
On to the meat of our business now, here are the tools that I promised you:
Dubai Internet City Companies
Dubai Internet City (DIC) is one of the most populous business hubs within Dubai.
Companies such as Dell, HP, Intel and Microsoft have offices there. Not only that, but 100s
of other local and international companies also have offices there. DIC also has an excellent
website with up-to-date and easy to use directory of all the companies.
http://www.dubaiinternetcity.com/existing-partners/partners-directory
Dubai Media City Companies
In many ways, there are really no distinctions between Dubai Internet City (DIC) and Dubai
Media City (DMC). DIC is supposedly a place for technology companies and DMC is a place
for media companies, but in reality you can find either type of company in either of the two
places. The two places are also located next to each other.
The companies in Dubai Media City are listed in the official Tecom Directory website.
Tecom Directory
The Tecom Directory lists companies in:
http://www.tecomdirectory.com/company/browsebyzone/3/all/Media.html
http://www.tecomdirectory.com/company/browsebyzone/2/all/Information-and-
Communication-Technologies.html
http://www.tecomdirectory.com/company/browsebyzone/4/all/Media.html
http://www.tecomdirectory.com/company/browsebyzone/5/all/Media.html
http://www.tecomdirectory.com/company/browsebyzone/6/all/Education.html
http://www.tecomdirectory.com/company/browsebyzone/7/all/Education.html
http://www.tecomdirectory.com/company/browsebyzone/8/all/Life-Sciences.html
http://www.tecomdirectory.com/company/browsebyzone/9/all/Clean-Technology.html
http://www.tecomdirectory.com/company/browsebyzone/12/all/Manufacturing-and-
Logistics-Cluster.html
Dubai International Financial Centre Companies
Companies in Dubai International Financial Centre
DIFC is the home of world renowned companies in the banking and financial services
industries. If you are a banker or if you desire to work in the financial services sector, you can
do well by researching and reaching out to companies that are located at DIFC. You can get a
complete list of these companies on DIFCs own web directory. http://difc.ae/browse-
directory
Dubai Healthcare City Companies
Companies in Dubai Healthcare CityDubai Healthcare City is Dubais government initiative
to stimulate the development of healthcare services in the city. Its a DHCC is a hub for many
hospitals, clinics, and healthcare service providers. If you would like to reach these healthcare
organizations, you can find them on Dubai Healthcare City directory.
http://www.dhcc.ae/directory/
Index UAE
Another great website, even though not dedicated to Dubai alone, is IndexUAE.com.
Through this website you can locate lots of companies in Dubai. But since it covers the entire
UAE, you may have to sift through the listings to pick the companies that are relevant to your
location.
You can find categories of businesses and companies here: http://www.indexuae.com/
AME Infos Business Directory
AME Info offers a very good and completely free directory of companies in Dubai.
You can go to http://www.ameinfo.com/db/ and navigate through their categories. The
problem with this directory is that it also doesnt focus on Dubai alone. It covers the entire
Middle East and North Africa. However, AME Info is a Dubai-based company, and Dubai is
their main focus, so Dubai has more coverage in this directory than any other place.
Zawya
Zawya is, in my opinion, the most professional website the Arab world ever known. (The
main website is in English). It provides true business intelligence and it offers a very detailed
directory of companies in Dubai. However, their company directory is more targeted toward
medium-to-large enterprises. You wouldnt find your local mom-and-pop store in their
directory.
Also, it is not completely free. Despite that, you can still get A LOT out of the non-free
version of it. Let me show you how.
You can go to http://www.zawya.com and at the top of the page, youll see a search form,
you can simply enter a companys name and click Company Search and it will show you a
list of relevant results. Furthermore, you can go to Research & Tools on the front page,
then select Companies and go to their List Builder, which will allow you to create a
custom list of companies of your interest. Even though the list could generate hundreds of
companies, non-subscribers are only limited to 40 companies.
YellowPages.ae
Dubai Yellow Pages In Dubai, there are two telecommunication service providers. (Both are
owned by the government). The larger provider, Etisalat, has a comprehensive listing of
every registered company in Dubai. So, their website, http://yellowpages.ae is the UAEs
official yellow pages.
On their website you can search by business name, keyword, category, brand, phone number,
and P.O Box.
Even though this website has a truly comprehensive list of companies in Dubai, the
navigation and the interface of the website is pretty poor. Sometimes you will see ads that
block the search form or resultsIt can be frustrating sometimes, but dont complain. This is
Dubais Internet.
www.UAEBusinessDirectory.com
This website isnt special in anyway. In fact, with the presence of all the resources that were
mentioned above, there is only little reason for this website to exist.
But perhaps the resources above do not categorize companies in a way that suits you. If thats
the case, try http://www.uaebusinessdirectory.com and see if you get better results
List of some employment websites in Dubai:
DubaiClassified.com - DubaiSeeker.com Dubizzle - Emirates Ads - EmiratesVillage.com
Expatriates.com - GettyDubai.com - http://www.gnads4u.com/jobs
http://jobs.khaleejtimes.com/ Totaldubai.com
Brief Introduction to Dubai Labour Law
What Labour Law applies to Dubai job seekers and employees?
Specifically pertaining to jobs in Dubai, there are two separate Labour Laws you need to
understand,
The UAE Federal Labour Law and;
The Dubai Labour Law.
What is the UAE Federal Labour Law?
For purposes of seeking employment in Dubai, the UAE Federal Labour Law refers
specifically to Federal Law Number 8 of 1980, including all subsequent annual amendments
already published and will be published. It contains, among other things, the reciprocal rights
and obligations of employers and employees toward each other and specific requirements
which must be fulfilled by both parties so that expatriates may legally work in the UAE. The
UAE Federal Labour Law also governs the relationship of employees and employers and the
State throughout the course of their business or employment in the UAE.
Because the UAE is a federation of Emirates, each Emirate being autonomous, has the power
to modify or otherwise alter specific provisions of Federal Laws and such modifications shall
apply to that particular Emirate only.
Who is covered by the UAE Federal Labour Law?
All persons, including expatriates aged 18-60, who are gainfully employed in the United
Arab Emirates are subject to the UAE Federal Labour Law except:
All persons employed in Municipal, State or Public bodies;
All members of the Armed Forces and the Police and Security Service;
All privately-sponsored domestic servants;
All unskilled labourers in the agriculture sector.
All employees of any company operating in Free Zones within of the UAE.
Salaries in Dubai How To Predict Your Dubai Salary
One of the most asked questions I face is: how much am I going to be paid in Dubai? Even
though the answer can vary greatly, you can still actually come up with a reasonable
approximation of how much you are going to be paid in Dubai by following the methods that
are outlined here.
To plan your life in Dubai safely and accurately, you need to align your expectations with
reality. Thats why you need accurate approximation of your salary. To get that, youre going
to have to do some research of your own.
You can do your Dubai salary research online or offline or both. I will provide you with the
information you need and will tell you about the benefits of each, and it is up to you to
choose.
Question: what can you do online to find out your expected Dubai salary?
Answer:
Check out the listings of Dubai recruitment agencies
Check out Dubai job sites
Use Dubai salary calculators
Read Bayts salary survey reports
I will take you through each one of the bullet points aboveSo lets start
Online Investigation:
Check out the listings of Dubai recruitment agencies
There are dozens of recruitment agencies in Dubai. However, only a few of them have fully
maintained and up to date websites that provide salary information. Here are the three
recruitment agencies that have listings I recommend you check for salaries:
Jobtrack Middle East http://www.jobtrackme.com
BAC Middle East http://bacme.com
Nadia Middle East http://nadia-me.com
For more, check out the recruitment agency listing in Dubai Careers Directory. Even though
the websites above dont have the most user-friendly design and navigation, they do have rich
listings that may give you valuable insight into Dubai salaries. Be aware, however, that some
of these salaries are inflated to attract applicants or intended for IDEAL candidates.
Check out Dubai job sites
Another or additional way to measure your expected Dubai salary is to check out the listings
on Dubai job sites. Some employers indicate a salary range in their job postings.
Just like with recruitment agencies, there are dozens of job sites in Dubai. Here are two that
you can start with:
Bayt.com http://www.bayt.com
NaukriGulf http://naukrigulf.com
For more, check out the job sites listing in Dubai Careers Directory. Do a search for your
desired position on those sites, and see if there are postings that indicate a salary range.
Use Dubai salary calculators
A third way to investigate your expected Dubai salary online is to use Dubai salary
calculators (which are based on salary surveys). The seemingly most comprehensive salary
calculator for Dubai and the one that I would recommend is PayScales.
Offline Investigation
There are several reasons why you might want to do offline salary research, such as:
All of the above online methods didnt provide enough information for your specific case
You want to confirm your online findings
The online research may take longer than this quick offline investigation By offline
investigation, what I really mean is that you call up a recruitment agency, tell them about
your skills and experience, and ask them about the average salary for a profile like yours. Its
easy, quick and effective! I have done it a couple of times.
The most friendly recruitment agency I dealt with is IQ Selection. I recommend that you call
them first. Their phone number is: +971 4 329 7770. Make sure that you ask for the recruiter
who specializes in your specific industry. As always, confirm your answers by calling a few
other recruitment agents. You can find their phone numbers in my recruitment agencies list.
Now this kind of salary research should be enough to give you a pretty good idea of what you
should expect to be paid in Dubai, so that you can plan safely and accurately!
Dubai Salary Details and Negotiation Tips
What is my basic salary? Is it a minimum wage?
There is no provision for minimum wages in the UAE Federal Labour Law, nor has the
Emirate of Dubai instituted any such law. Your basic salary is a negotiated rate stipulated in
your labour contract. This amount is important because it is the basis of your end-of-service
gratuity pay. When you receive salary increases, it is to your best interest to make sure you
receive a formal notice of the increase, i.e. in writing, and that the Department of Labour is
duly notified.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai offer similar wages for comparative
positions, i.e., office secretaries for small businesses are normally granted a compensation
package within an expected range. More established organizations, such as multinational
corporations (MNCs) with offshore locations in Dubai negotiate salaries within their
companys pre-existing scales.
What points must I remember in salary negotiations?
As Ive written above, there is no minimum wage law in the UAE and salary is a negotiated
price between you and your prospective employer. Report to an interview prepared to haggle.
Haggling is a huge part of UAE salary negotiation and youd do well to get used to it. Learn
how to sell yourself effectively and convincingly. Do your research to get a feel of the going
rates. However, keep in mind that what youd finally get depends on what the employer
perceives to be your value to the company.
When haggling, remember that the salary rate stipulated in your contract holds throughout the
term of that particular contract. Increases in salary rates are not guaranteed. Dubai employers
do not give 13th- month cheques or annual increases as is the case in countries where
minimum wage laws exist.
What makes up a basic salary/compensation package in Dubai and the UAE?
Here are items that the law mandates to be included in an employees compensation package
include the following:
Basic salary
30-day annual paid leave (21 for the first year)
Government medical insurance (some companies provide private insurance coverage after
probationary period).
Recruitment and visa-processing fees and other associated costs. Some employers may
attempt to have you agree to have these costs deducted from your pay so beware. Note
however, that repatriation costs may be legally taken off of your final pay, especially if you
abscond or fail to complete your contract term.
Gratuity pay
Return flight to your home country at the end of your contract.
What other benefits or perks may be negotiated?
Relocation assistance
Private medical insurance
Annual return tickets
Accommodation and transportation allowances
Vehicle allowance
Mobile phone allowance
Furnishing (for accommodation) allowance
Food allowance
There are other benefit types that could be negotiated. Some employers provide some of these
additional perks, but rarely would an employer grant you everything you want. However,
dont be afraid to ask and haggle. Haggling is a huge part of the local culture. Negotiation is a
skill youd do well to acquire soon.
What is Gratuity Pay?
Gratuity or end-of-service benefit is the equivalent of severance pay in other countries. It is
given as an end-of service benefit to employees who successfully complete their contracts. As
there are no provisions for pension contributions for expatriate employees in the UAE,
gratuity pay is mandatory. It serves as further encouragement to employees to stay with their
employers until the expiration of their contracts.
How do I get entitled to gratuity pay?
If your employment is lawfully terminated, youre not entitled to any gratuity pay.
If you are working on a limited contract, successful completion of the term entitles you to
gratuity upon expiration;
If you are working on an unlimited contract, you must complete
At least But less than To be entitled to gratuity pay
1 3 1/3
3 5 2/3
5 - Full
How is my gratuity pay calculated?
Gratuity pay is based on your last or most recent basic salary per records appearing in the
Department of Labour. This figure is clearly marked as basic salary in your labour contract
and does not include allowances and benefits, as those are clearly designated as such.
Your gratuity pay is equivalent to your 21-day pay for each year of service for the first 5
years and 30-day pay for every year thereafter. For convenience, assume a 30-day month for
calculation.
21/30 of your monthly pay, multiplied by the number of years you have served your
employer, for the first five years; plus
30/30 of your monthly pay, multiplied by, the number of years you have served your
employer minus five years.
Illustration: Assume the following
Monthly basic salary per records: AED 10,000
Number of years worked with present employer: 10
Gratuity Pay = (21/30 x AED 10,000 x 5) + (30/30 x AED 10,000 x (10-5))
= AED 35,000 + AED 50,000
= AED 85,000
Is there a limit to the amount a dedicated employee can receive as gratuity pay?
Yes, there is. The total gratuity pay an employee receives should not exceed the equivalent of
a 24-month (two years) pay. In the above example, the maximum amount the employee may
receive is AED 240, 000 (24 x AED 10,000). This means that if the employee above has
served for 25 years or more, he only gets AED 240,000 in gratuity pay.
Illustration: Assume the following:
Monthly basic salary per records: AED 10,000
Number of years worked with present employer: 30
Gratuity Pay Computation = (21/30 x AED 10,000 x 5) + (30/30 x AED 10,000 x (30-5))
= AED 35,000 + AED 250,000
= AED 285,000
Actual Gratuity Pay (amount the employee receives): AED 240,000
Dubai Employment Contract Tips and Legal Issues
What is a Labour Contract? Is it the same as a Contract of Employment?
In essence, it is, as both documents contain information about your employment with a
particular employer. However, in the context of jobs in Dubai, these are two separate
documents. The official Federal Labour Contract is actually a cookie-cutter template
document written in both Arabic and English. It contains the very basic information
pertaining to your employment as required by law. This document must be produced in three
copies, hard copies (printouts) for both the employers and the employees file; and an
electronic (usually scanned) copy for the Department of Labour. Unless submitted to the
Department of Labour, such contract has no legal effect and no employment visa will be
released in the name of the employee.
My employer asked me to sign a document titled Contract of Employment. Is this the
document that binds me to an employee-employer relationship with a Dubai employer?
This question merits more than a straightforward yes or no response. If what you are holding
is a detailed contract containing specific conditions of your employment with your particular
employer, your reciprocal rights and obligations, specifically pertaining to your job
description and remuneration, company policies and others, and the said document is written
only in English, such document is not binding. This means you or your employer may not use
such document before the Department of Labour as basis for any particular action pertaining
to your employment.
Note: However, for any employment-related document to be legally enforceable, such
document must be translated to Arabic and included in your Federal Labour Contract as an
attachment under the Other Conditions section. All other documents and communications
between you and your employer are binding only insofar as either or both parties agree to be
bound, i.e. a handshake deal or a gentlemans agreement, without any legal effect.
Why is the Labour Contract required to be written in both English and Arabic?
UAE Federal Laws specifically name Arabic as the sole official language to be used in every
mode of communication between an employer and their employees. But because the majority
of UAEs work force, especially in Dubai, is expatriate, English, being the accepted language
of business internationally, is used alongside Arabic for the sake of expatriate employees who
do not speak or understand the Arabic language. Note however, that if there is an error or
discrepancy in the text, weather intentional or not, the Arabic text prevails.
Employees, therefore, must exercise due diligence and be certain that they understand the
provisions of their contracts before affixing their signatures to the document. Its best to have
a friend or colleague who understands both English and Arabic to review your contract.
What are offer letters? Are employers required to give all employees an offer letter?
An offer letter is a formal offer of employment to a prospective employee. This document
contains the details of employment such as job description, compensation and benefits like
basic salary and allowances, leave dues, and other perks. It is customary for an employer to
make a formal offer of employment to a candidate who has successfully made it through their
recruitment and hiring process. Customary does not mean mandatory. There is no legal
requirement for employers to issue Offer Letters. Some employers do not make formal Offer
Letters.
What is the difference between limited and unlimited contracts?
Your official Labour Contract may either be limited or unlimited.
An unlimited or indefinite contract is a renewable contract. The term specified as period of
employment herein usually corresponds to the validity of your residency visa. Such contract
can then be renewed upon expiration under the same conditions, i.e., without modifications.
After the probationary period, either party may terminate the contract at any time by giving at
least a 30-day notice.
A limited contract specifies a definite term or period of employment. Renewal of the contract
upon expiration is not guaranteed as an option. Termination of the contract prior to expiration
normally warrants the payment of damages to the party suffering the breach. Maximum
penalties set by law for violation of the period clause is payment of damages to the aggrieved
party of an amount equal to 1.5 times of the employees monthly wages.
What is the probationary period?
This is a period of time, usually between three to six months, where your (the employees)
performance on the job is subject to scrutiny by the employer. Labour Laws allow the
employer this period to assess whether you are indeed qualified to perform the job they hired
you for. At any time during the probationary period, your employment may be terminated at
will by the employer without further notice or compensation other than wages earned. After
the probationary period, your employment with your employer is secured by applicable
federal laws and may only be terminated upon expiration of the period of employment
specified in the labour contract or for reasons specified by law.
What must I know about probationary periods?
Probationary periods are required by law, i.e., it is mandatory and shall be for a period of not
less than three months but no more than six months. Here are some things you ought to know
about probationary periods:
You cannot be placed under probation more than once by the same employer
Your employer can terminate your services at any time during the probationary period
without notice or severance pay.
The probationary period is included in calculating your service years for purposes of gratuity
and other pay calculations
You are not legally entitled to any paid sick leaves during the probationary period.
Entry airfare can be reimbursed from your employer if you were recruited from a foreign
country.
You are likely to incur a labour ban if you terminate your employment during this period.
Under what conditions can the employer terminate my employment prior to the expiration of
my labour contract?
Article 120 of the Federal Labour Law specifies these conditions. An employer may
terminate your employment if:
You falsified any information pertaining to your application;
You committed mistake(s) that results to grave financial loss to your employers business. In
this case, the employer must notify the Department of Labour within 48 hours from learning
of the mistake
You violated work-related safety instructions. The safety instructions in question must have
been in writing and displayed in an easily visible place and that if illiterate, you must have
been given the instructions orally;
You repeatedly failed to meet performance standards set forth in your labour contract. There
must have been interrogation and a written warning given you
You disclosed trade secrets to parties you shouldnt have. Some employers whose businesses
require utmost confidentiality would actually include a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) as
an attachment to your labour contract
You have been conclusively convicted in court of any offence pertaining to honesty, honour
or public morals;
You report to work obviously intoxicated or drugged. This is presumably the kind of drugs
considered illegal in most societies, e.g. cocaine. The Police and the Labour Department must
have been duly notified in this case;
You committed assault to physical harm to any person you work with during work hours. In
this case, the Police and the Department of Labour must have been notified of the incident;
You were absent from work for 20 uninterrupted days or seven (7) consecutive days in a
single year for no valid reason.
In cases of criminal offences (items 7 & 8), a formal complaint must have been filed against
you and a conviction by a court of law is necessary to substantiate the reason for termination.
In addition, Article 88 bars an employee from working for any other employer during his/her
annual holiday or sick leave. Otherwise, their employment with the employer who sponsored
their visas could be terminated and their pay for the leave withheld.
Can I have my contract terminated before it expires?
Yes, you may, under either of these situations:
Your employer or any of their legal representatives have assaulted you or;
Your employer has refused to release your wages per your labour contract.
In either case, you must present substantial evidence to the Department of Labour to have
your labour contract cancelled. Each case is judged based on merit.
5 simple steps to ensure you get that job interview call in the Emirates
The following piece is a contribution by my friend and you will find it lovely. He lives and
work in Dubai as well and writes for different publications online and offline.
Take some time and focus on job requirements and firm you wish to apply to. You may have
sent out dozens or even hundreds of CVs to various companies in the country but still haven't
got even a single interview call.
With each day your self-confidence could be eroding. The good for nothing thought must
be at the top of anybodys mind in such a situation.
Take the example of Anil Mohit, an Indian finance professional in Dubai. He was laid off in
October and has applied invariably for every position hes suited for.
Nearly three months down the line, he hasnt heard anything back.
Im trying hard but its very disheartening, said Mohit, on the condition of anonymity.
Mohit is one such case where hordes of sent out CVs do not translate into a single interview
call. Is it just that that Mohit is unemployable, or a sinister former employer may be
blacklisting him or can there be a few slips that do not make him marketable?
This [not getting interview calls] is down to a number of factors, said Hasnain Qazi,
Middle East Business Manager at Huxley Associates.
First and foremost it is the market. It is a simple equation of demand and supply. In certain
niches there are more candidates looking for work, than the number of jobs. Ultimately, the
most relevant candidates will be approached for interviews and so it is very much a case of
survival of the fittest.
"Further, it is an employers market in many verticals, i.e. companies can afford to be choosy
and wait to find a candidate meeting all of their required competencies, rather than settling
with someone with a combination of fewer required skills, he said.
Besides the problem of demand and supply, leading headhunters in the country believe, there
are other problems that could be keeping you away from that interview call, which can be
addressed even in a tough market.
1) Are you applying for jobs that you are not fit for?
If you're applying for jobs that do not match your qualifications or experience, you need to
explicitly demonstrate to employers that you a great match despite the odds. Do not leave
them to figure it out on their own.
In todays job market there is no dearth of people well-suited to the job so it is advised to
apply to jobs that suit your profile.
It is important that youre selective with your job search, only sending out applications for
those roles in which you meet most, if not all of the criteria, and avoiding those in which you
are obviously not a suitable match. Submitting your application for multiple roles in which
you are not qualified will result in hiring managers questioning your abilities and motivation,
and may result in them passing you over for roles that may be a great fit, James Sayer,
Director, Robert Half UAE told Emirates 24|7.
Many candidates simply do not meet the requirements of a vacancy. For example, if a bank
is looking for Arabic speaking Corporate Relationship Managers with client relationships in
Abu Dhabi, they are unlikely to interview applicants that meet the criteria but cant speak
Arabic or do not have clients in Abu Dhabi. Similarly, employers can be hesitant to interview
candidates, even with strong profiles if they have frequently moved jobs. Until the demand
exceeds supply in a certain sector, it is not unusual to have to apply to dozens of jobs on a
constant basis before you get a look in. Of course standout or very relevant candidates will
find it much easier to attract attention, added Qazi.
2) Tailor-make each application with a strong cover letter
Sending out vague or one generic application for 50-odd jobs will do you no good. Take
some time and focus on the requirements of the job and the company you wish to apply to
and then explain how and why you are suited for it. A strong covering letter is very important
to explain your accomplishments and your suitability for the job.
It is important to tailor each application for the specific role, ensuring that the key
responsibilities and experience are noted in your CV and/or cover letter. Sending out generic
applications will put you at a competitive disadvantage when other candidates are tailoring
their application materials to the specific company and role, explained Sayer.
Ensure that you dont make the mistake of making your cover letter bland and uninspiring.
Suhail Masri, VP Sales at Bayt.com believes a strong covering letter is your chance to market
yourself. Your cover letter is your chance to really market yourself and highlight exactly
those skills and personal attributes you think the employer is looking for. This is your
opportunity to really shine so don't waste it or take it lightly, he said.
3) Your CV is poor and doesnt speak of you as the candidate to be hired
Some candidates fail at making a strong CV. A poor CV will fail to portray you as a
professional that the employer may be looking for. Most people's resumes simply list their
job duties at each job they've held without a mention of their accomplishments.
Poor focus, major omissions, spelling and grammar mistakes and lack of emphasis on
pertinent skills are common mistakes that immediately eliminate your CV from the search
process, said the bayt.com expert.
Most of the times, this is due to a non-targeted CV or to a non-targeted approach. Having a
CV that is focused, gives a specific brand to the candidate, lists briefly the achievements (if
possible in numerical terms) and is brief and to-the-point, is helpful. Use of key words that
are related to the experience of the person and the goals he/she wants to achieve is also
important, as most of the times, initial search through a database is made by key words and, if
missing, the CV is overlooked, added Konstantina Sakellariou, Partner, Marketing &
Operations Director, Stanton Chase International.
4) Poor networking can push you down
Networking is not an optional thing in todays world. Candidates should also get creative in
their job search, as Sayer puts it.
Applying to roles on job boards is just the beginning. To maximise chances, candidates
should tap into their networks, speaking to friends and family about potential opportunities
and referrals, and staying active on social networking sites such as LinkedIn. Most jobs are
filled by word-of-mouth, so speaking with a specialist recruiter about upcoming opportunities
may also help candidates successfully land a new opportunity, he explained.
Agrees Masri, who believe networking is a long-term thing. Many people make the mistake
of networking just to market themselves for an immediate opportunity or to be referred to a
company hiring at the present time. Effective networking is a long term give-and-take process
that puts you on the inside track in the area that interests you and establishes you in the
running for any attractive position that comes up in the future, he said.
5) Careless follow-up
Sending out applications is just the first step. This should be coupled with regular follow-up
to ensure that you have not missed at any stage of the selection/screening process. This
ensures you make it to the interview stage.
Sending a mass mailing of CVs and waiting for the companies to contact you is not an
optimal job search strategy. The key is in the follow-up. Plan your follow-up strategy and
execute it well. Follow up by phone to make sure the relevant manager has received your CV,
follow up again to ask for a meeting and follow up with notes regularly until you have
received some form of a response, added Masri of Bayt.com.
Besides regular follow-up, the Bayt expert also suggests to treat a job search seriously to
ensure optimal results.
Treat the job search process as a job in itself and apply the same discipline and structure to
your activities that you would apply to your job. Create a ledger of job search activities from
researching a company on the internet or in publications to sending initial introduction letters
to follow-up calls, follow-up notes etc, he said.
CLOSING REMARKS
Im a traveller and an internet entrepreneur, I make my living online by writing for blogs,
websites and also my personal blog as well. I have trained people and I do speak at Intl
workshops and seminars. When I was about leaving Nigeria, I started from Dubai, but I had
something in mind, never to take on any job that will request for most of my time nor a job
that will not allow me to face my future career so I went there and conquered! I did not see
a job of my preference, I decided to extend my visa one month, got some contacts and started
writing for them. I developed my own products and sold it. I did enough research and make
sure the stuffs I sell are useful to people.
At the end of the day, I got a very good job (even though I am a school cert holder). So I
helped friends and clients get their job in Dubai which made me write this report.
One more tip for you, the thing that fast track my success in Dubai is called meet up. I joined
the site, joined some associations that are in my field and I started attending their events. The
site is www.meetup.com that site is damn good but you have to be careful in anything you do.
Some groups might be for alternate purpose compared to what they have on their profile on
MU. I am yet to come across such though cause I only face the Internet and Technology
niche.
I always advice people to look beyond working for someone. Even if you have the best job in
Dubai, remember one day, you will leave the job either you like it or not. So its better you
start planning for retirement even before you get a job. Always have something great in your
mind that you want to venture into once you're no longer in active work. I read the news few
weeks ago, Aero Contractor sacks 90% of their staff though thats in Nigeria, something of
such never happens in Dubai but at the same time, you have to be watchful and know what
youre doing.
Lets do justice to what you paid for this package. Now, consider the price you paid compare
to the heartbreak you would have encountered if youd gone with your agents package with
lies and found out that Dubai is not what they tell you it is?
Before you consider this package to be worth much than what you paid for, try and talk to an
agent if you have not and ask them how much it takes to process the 1, 2 or 3 months Dubai
visa and if you get a price less than 250, 000 then the agent is trying to bring you closer as
they will also ask you for additional money after your first payment.
So youve seen it. If you do your due diligence, then you will get a very good job in Dubai.
Ive helped people, I've seen lotta people get it done. Its not that easy but it is achievable.
You can do it if others can. With your degrees, you need not to continue to suffer in Nigeria
or travel abroad to work as a cleaner. Keep cool, take your time and pray to God for
directions.
Thanks for buying my guide and should you have any question, anything at all you wanna
ask, do not hesitate to send me an e-mail through stephenshobayo@gmail.com and I will get
back at you within three (3) hours if I'm not sleeping, in the flight nor having fun (Mon
Mon).