Dubai & Abu Dhabi are considered to be one of the sought after work destinations with professionals from different parts of the world such as Europe, U.S., South America, Africa & different parts of Asia. Expats make up 90% of the total population. There are numerous reasons why UAE is the most popular destination:
- Huge financial benefits & income with nil/minimal tax which allow professionals to save for future &/or pay off their debts.
- UAE is considered to be one of the most safe & secure places specifically for women.
- It has a cosmopolitan culture with host of restaurants offering a variety of food.
- It houses a lot of reputed international schools with top notch & quality education.
Given so many advantages/benefits UAE offers, professionals are inclined to be part of such a vibrant environment. However, there is something very peculiar about UAE which gives lot of professionals a pause before they take a decision to move there. In Spite of such benefits coupled with offices of multinational corporations located in the heart of Dubai & Abu Dhabi, cultural fit is something which everyone should evaluate.
Moving to UAE bring a cultural shift which professionals should embrace & strive to adopt. UAE’s culture & local practices differ from those followed in the western world. Professionals should be aware of such differences that will help them when they take up a new role &/or network with other professionals. I am going to share insights about local culture & practices which should be considered before taking up a job in UAE:
Different working hours
Most of professionals head to Dubai &/or Abu Dhabi since these cities are hub for lot of multinational corporations offering roles to expats primarily in consulting, finance, account & IT. The working hours are quite different in UAE than those followed in west. The working week is from Sunday to Thursday with Friday & Saturday being weekly off. Some corporations work 6 days & only Friday’s are off. Corporations either work straight for 8 hours a day or 2 shifts with 3 to 4 hours per shift & break in between.
During the holy month of Ramadan, it is appropriate for everyone, including non-muslims to follow fasting & not to eat or drink during the day time. It is expected that you should be sensitive to the culture of the host country. Even if you want to eat during the day time, find a private area. You should try to build this practice into your lifestyle if you are considering moving to UAE.
Social Media Engagement
UAE locals prefer interacting over social media with around 99% of the population is active on various social media platforms with average time spent of over 3 hours on platforms such as Facebook & LinkedIn. UAE nationals are considered to be mostly connected over LinkedIn with over 200 connections per LinkedIn subscriber. Professionals in UAE utilize LinkedIn more than a job search portal. Most of them use it to build a personal brand.
People using social media in the UAE should be updated about privacy law governing sharing of pictures & content that are offensive to Islamic values.
Resume guidelines
Writing resumes for jobs in UAE is again a tricky game. Your resume should have your photograph, local UAE mobile no, your marital status, nationality & your passport number & validity. It is good to have one page resume if you are applying for consulting or international corporations. However, local Emirati corporations look for a detailed CV ( not resume). You are expected to have a 2 page CV while applying for jobs in local companies. If selected for interview, you should be available for interaction at a short notice.
Networking tips
The business culture in UAE is formal & conservative when compared to those in other western world countries. Locals in UAE give more consideration of building professional relationships & personal connections. So while meeting professionals for business meeting, it is advisable to wear formal suit & formal shoes. For females, it is good to wear pants or knee length skirts. Non-Muslim women are not required to wear a hijab. It is always suggested to exchange business cards with right hands with one side of card printed in Arabic & other in English. Gentle handshake while greeting someone is correct approach. Firm handshake is considered as rude.
Sharing lunch with business connects is an essential part of the relationship building. Prefer avoiding alcohol & pork.
The Takeaway
Above mentioned are some of the cultural differences which one should be well aware of in order to avoid embarrassment or even losing your job/role. Something which may be ok to accept in Europe or U.S. can be offensive in UAE. Be attentive & listen to others suggestions & guidelines. If you can understand these differences & can embrace their culture, you can be a great cultural fit for corporations operating in/from UAE.
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