Done with the gala and tourist mode. Reality bites! We have to search for a proper job that will bring food to the table and that will pay for the roof in our heads.
You see, people from the outside always see the glitz and glamour of living in abroad but they fail to see that being an EXPAT means that in every “kibot” or things we do here we gotta pay for it. Alas, nothing is free.
Your landlords don’t care if you have no work yet. As soon as you occupy that mini partition you called now as “home” you have to pay for it. Regardless if you’re not expecting any salary at the end of the month.
Futhermore, you have think about the food you will put in your mouth. Luckily, the commodity price here is quite cheaper as compared to ours in the Philippines so no need to worry much about it. Alhamdullilah!
So the big questions is “How do I find a job in UAE?”
First thing you need to prepare is your CV or resume - both scanned & printed.
Tip: if you will bring some printed CVs kindly put it into your luggage bag not in your hand carries.
These will partly minimize your cost. Remember, 1AED = 12.00 pesos (sometimes lower than that or higher, depends on the currency exchange) and your aim is to minimize your expenses while you don’t have any salary yet.
Second, make an account on Dubizzle / Bayt.com - Both are equivalent of JobsDB or Jobstreet - except that the former are more famous search engines in UAE for jobseekers and employers alike. Also, walking-in is the usual way to go here.
Then trim down your choices of jobs that you wanted to look or apply into. I know you are jack of all trades but there are also countless of job postings so it is much better if you will focus your energy and time to certain jobs. (E.g : Secretarial / Receptionist / Nurses / Engineering)
Forget about Managerial position - for now. These are for Arabic Speakers and Indians. Filipinos who are lucky enough to be in this level have either worked for years in that company or are just simply lucky.
It's still an Arabic country and they prioritize people who can understand and speak their language and culture.
Also, it wouldn't hurt if you will check out the salary bracket of the job you will be applying into. After all, you're here to earn more money as compared to what you get in the Philippines, sa? (Right?)
But I will be perfectly honest, the salaries here depends on the company you will be lucky to work with.
The influx of working expats in UAE be it Filipinos / Indians / Nigerians made the competition tougher and salaries lower.
Sadly in some hospitality industries,Filipinos are given like 1,800 or 1,200 AED as salary. Which is just around 15,000 in pesos. That is quite low by UAE standards. As we say "kulang pa yan sa pansarili mong pangangailangan". But you know Filipinos.. they're very resilient and they find ways. We are like that.
In some positive cases, even newbies in UAE can get as high as 4,000aed which is somehow equivalent to 50kAED. (depending on the currency exchange)
Next tip is, Confidence! When called for a job interview, be prepared and talked confidently.
I was told by one of my senior colleagues that the GM told her during the deliberation if they will hire me or not, that he liked my openness and confidence during my interview. That cemented my first working history here in UAE.
So that's my first-hand tip because it works for me.
Famous jobs here? Surefire way to get a job?
Well, I don’t know really. Because even your qualifications doesn’t have much bearing here not unless you studied in USA or UK.
That's why we can't afford to be too choosy with the jobs that we get here in UAE and at the same time we can't afford to be too willing to work for any job positions.
You gotta choose...BUT choose wisely. Don't be too arrogant saying "I want 4,000 aed as salary" if they will ask you how much you are expecting especially if it is your first job here. Which is what they often ask during interviews here.
Learn to haggle but be humble enough. If you are new here 3,000 aed is okay even 2,800aed. If they give you higher than what you expect then good. (Happens to me)
I know it's easier said than done but that's how it works here.
Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand the contract or anything because in here they have the privilege to do so. You even have the MOL (Ministry of Labor) to assist you.
Remember, working here is not like in the Philippines. You cannot jump from one job to another just because. They have contracts here and if you choose not to finish the contract there are some payments to be made especially if you are still on the 6 months probation and if unlucky, you'll be banned for some time. And who wants that?
That's why you have to choose carefully because that job will be yours for 2 years (Minimum contract).
Lastly, pray because prayer works. It is difficult to work in abroad, far from families and all but your faith will sustain you.
I tell you it is true because it is for me.
