Finding professional work in UAE as a British Muslim female

Rabia drip · 2014-07-05T17:05:41+02:00

Explore insights on securing professional jobs in Dubai as a British Muslim female. Share experiences, address potential barriers, and discuss salary expectations.

Rabia drip Member

Member since 05 July 2014

Rabia dripMember05 July 2014 15:05:41

I would like to ask how likely/unlikely it will be that a 29 yr old British Muslim female will be able to secure professional job within Dubai and any additional barriers I may come across seeing as I am a Muslim female and thus further social constraints may be placed upon me.

I am a BA Hons Business Studies graduate and have 10yrs+ experience in call centre management at directorship level and financial services聽 (insurances, pensions and investments) and looking for at least 26000aed Per mth plus housing allowance of at least 11000aed per mth and schooling allowance for my 8 yr old daughter who has MLD. My husband has no objections with me working and would drive me to/from work, appointments etc as he does here.

Any advice/guidance would be appreciated.

Osmanic.acid Active member

Member since 23 June 2013

Osmanic.acidActive member09 July 2014 07:11:53

Best of luck

riazcdki Serial expat

Member since 01 May 2014

riazcdkiSerial expat18 July 2014 19:27:35

900

Rabia,

Being a muslima and wearing a Hijab ( although you did not mention that) is a definate聽 plus point in the UAE.

There are a lot of Indiana and Pakistanis who hold US, Canadian, Australian or EU nationality who are working at important positions here.

Your husband should find some thing useful to do too. You can take care of the driving here your self, they drive very fast here and they drive on the wrong side of the road

If you feel appropriate, ask your husband to send me a mail and I can perhaps be of some advise to him too.

Take care,

Plan your international move

Facilitate your move to the United Arab Emirates by getting a quote from our top rated movers.

tudfso87 Guest

tudfso87Guest25 July 2014 14:09:40

Hi Rabia

I don't mean to sound negative but your salary expectation is way too high. Please bear in mind that while there are senior management positions here and Westerners do get them, they market is completely saturated by Asian workers who have the same qualifications or experience and who would work for a quarter of what you are expecting. As your experience is in finance and call centers, you would be up against predominantly Indian or Pakistani born candidates and as is the normal way in Dubai, certain industries have certain nationalities attached to them (not saying I agree with this, that's just how it is). For example, customer service is predominantly Filipino, finance is Indian Sub-continent etc.

You are also under the age of 30 and have no previous UAE experience so I think it is highly unlikely that you could secure the position that you need. You may be able to secure a mid-management position and work your way up, but its rare for newcomers to go straight into higher management with the allowances you are requesting, Allowances such as school fees are normally given to male candidates (again, don't agree with this but seems to be the norm) and this may be difficult to secure.

Regarding being a Muslim - if you did find a position that would not be an issue and there are no social constraints here on that point.

I hope this helps - again, not trying to be negative but as someone who has worked in HR and seen the "rose tinted glasses" that many people come here with, I thought it appropriate to inform you of some of the realities.