With a tough UK employment market, now may be a good time to
look at the possibility of working abroad. The Gulf Cooperation
Countries (GCC) including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia
have some of the most dynamic economies in the world, and there are
still plenty of employment opportunities there, writes Steve
Royston, director at Career
Advantage.
As someone who has spent many years living and working in the
Middle East, here are five good reasons based on my own experience
why you should consider this move.
Financial
This is the obvious reason, of course. I moved to Saudi Arabia
in my late twenties on a contract that ended up lasting for nearly
a decade. The money I earned enabled me to start a business with a
partner in which, after many evolutions, perigrinations and a few
sales on the way, I'm still involved today. Saudi Arabia gave me
the means to break free of a lifetime working for others, and for
that I will always be grateful.
Cultural experience
In my time in the Middle East I have worked with nationals of at
least 30 countries. I have learned not only from the native
cultures of the Middle East, but from everybody I have worked with
- Sunni and Shiite Muslims, Hindus, Bhuddists, Zoroastrians and
Taoists. I have learned to look beyond the caricatures through
which the Western media often presents the religion and cultures of
the region, by talking to people, socialising with them and hearing
their stories. I have been enriched beyond wealth by the
experience.
Professional network
It never hurts to create a network of relationships in one of
the world's economic powerhouses. If you are involved in an
international business, your work will not always touch on the
Middle East, but the region will always be there as a factor. Oil
and gas, regional politics, sovereign wealth funds - all have a
bearing on every business in the world. It is good to have people
you can talk to in the region.
Upping your game
The phrase "taking your career to the next level" is the king of
clichés. But for me it actually worked out that way. I found that
in my time in the Middle East I ended up with far more
responsibility than I would have had in a comparable organisation
at home. I was stretched, challenged and occasionally frayed. The
skills I can directly attribute to my time in the region include
working with multi-cultural , multinational workforces, patience,
toleration, communications and political acuity. They have all
served me well in my subsequent career.
International track record
Being able to cite a "difficult" region on your curriculum vitae
is bound to be of benefit to your career. If you are British and
have spent three years in Germany, that of course is valuable
experience. But you are still working in the European Union, in an
environment where best practice is roughly similar and
recognisable. I suggest that experience of the Middle East, with
its alien cultural, social, legal and commercial norms, is a far
more valuable badge of experience, matched only by the Far
East.
I have deliberately avoided a litany of facts and figures about
the economy and business of the Middle East. I have tried to focus
on the whole experience of working in what is a diverse,
challenging, infuriating and ultimately fascinating
environment.
When you produce your list of pros and cons for making a
critical career move, I hope these thoughts will be of use.