What to consider before accepting an offer in the Middle East?

Aditya Raha is an Oil, Gas & Chemicals recruitment industry expert who has spent over eight years recruiting in the MENA & APAC region for major oil & gas companies. He has supported major upstream and downstream oil and gas operators and services companies. Due to his expertise in this field, he has a lot of invaluable advice to offer up and is well positioned to answer the question ‘Is working in the Middle East worth it?’.

In our previous article we provided you with expert insight on how to find your next career opportunity, so what comes next? There’s a lot to weigh up with jobs in the Middle East.

Below, Aditya sets out some things to consider before accepting your offer.

1. Are you getting a good offer?

Before accepting a new job, you need to make sure that your offer is competitive and will provide you with the financial resources to support yourself and your family. 

You can run your own comparison check on various job boards and compare your offer with the salaries offered for similar roles by other companies. 

Salaries can vary significantly between countries, cities, and levels of experience so we advise you to compare with similar roles in the same location and experience level.

2. Is it expensive to live in the Middle East?

You’ll also need to factor in the cost of living when considering your offer to ensure the salary package will cover housing, necessities and schooling in the Middle East. 

General prices in the region can still be expensive in comparison to some parts of the world. In Dubai for example, average rents have increased by around 26% between 2022 and 2023.

3. Can you bring your family?

We advise you to confirm this with your future employer first and also ask for confirmation in writing.

Understand whether the employer will cover any of the costs related to your family members; e.g. visa costs, medical insurance, relocation, annual leave tickets, and educational allowance.

4. What skills do you need to succeed in the Middle East?

Succeeding in the Middle East often requires different skills than those you may have currently. Most importantly, you must have excellent communication skills to be effective in your job.

English is the predominant business communication language throughout the Middle East. However, the level of English can vary significantly. Understanding and adapting to this is one of the basic success factors for anyone moving to the region for work.

5. What are your motives for taking a job in the Middle East?

When accepting any job, you need to consider your motives for taking the job and whether these motives can be met. The most common motives for accepting a job in the Middle East are:

1. Finances – The Middle East is a good opportunity for earning and saving money.
2. Experience – If you do not have any international experience or have just entered the labour market, then the Middle East is a good place to start.
3. Lifestyle – Unfortunately, this is often the most deceptive motive for moving to the Middle East. Working and living here is very different than visiting the region as a tourist.

6. Is it good for your career?

Accepting a job in the Middle East can be great for your career if you lack international experience. 

This career move will give you an opportunity to strengthen your resume and gain invaluable cultural exposure. 

7. What if the new job does not work out?

You need to be ready for the realistic possibility that your new job might not work out. 

However, this is not the end of the world, and you can look around the region for other jobs that match your skills and expertise.

Ensure that before you accept a job, you check your employment contract thoroughly to determine if you can change jobs without having to return to your home country.

8. What is the culture of the Middle East workplace?

The Middle East will likely have different social norms than what you might be used to, especially in business settings. 

From hand shakes, business atire, meeting conventions and verbal communication, there are some nuances you should familiarise yourself with before you move.

Bring your career to the Middle East with TRS Staffing Solutions

TRS Staffing Solutions established our offices in the Middle East in 2006. With recent trends in the region making it an attractive place to work, opportunities in the Middle East are on the rise.

Our team of results-driven experts staff many of the world’s largest projects, offering temporary, contingent, and direct hire recruitment solutions. Every project we recruit for is underpinned by integrity, teamwork, excellence and safety.

Get in touch today so we can assist you with your next opportunity in the Middle East.