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Working in the Middle East

Posted on 15/06/2016
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Many individuals choose to work in the region, but what are the key driving forces? Could a job in the Middle East be right for you? In this blog post, we take a closer look at why it is that so many people are happy with their work and lifestyle in the Middle East.

Earning potential

There’s absolutely no doubt that there is the potential to earn great money when taking work in Iraq, Kurdistan or Iran. A shortage of skills means that employers are often prepared to pay a premium and account is also taken of the need to relocate yourself and your family.

As a result of these factors, it’s reasonable to expect that you will be well paid for your work. Some people see a role in the Middle East as being a stepping stone to a new life:  for example, they may opt for a relatively short-term contract and then save money as they go along, aiming to raise enough money to start a business, or to set themselves up for years to come. Others find that they enjoy the experience so much that they remain for a much longer time period, reaping the rewards.

Meeting new people

Working abroad naturally brings you into contact with those who have lived in the region for many years, together with others who are in the same situation as you. You’ll quickly meet new people and make friends. The shared experiences often lead to bonds that will last for a lifetime and those special relationships are part of the mix involved in working overseas.

Seeing new places

The ability to experience new cultures, to see wonderful architecture and to really become immersed in a new country can really have a transformative impact upon your life. If you are the sort of person that revels in new situations, with a love of travel, then working overseas offers a wealth of opportunities.

Each of the countries within the region has its own, distinct history and appeal. A new life in the Middle East offers the chance to explore, expanding your own horizons.

Embracing career challenges

You may feel that you are competent at what you do currently, but is there a danger that you are coasting somewhat and failing to really develop your skills as a result? The nature of working in the Middle East is such that you can often expect to be given more responsibilities and you may find yourself working within a flatter organisational structure than you are used to. What this means is that there’s often scope for you to take on more authority and to progress your career at a more rapid rate than might otherwise be the case.

Access to a wider region

If you’re based in Europe or North America, then the idea of popping over to Egypt for a long weekend may seem unrealistic. However, from your base in the Middle East, you’ll discover that all sorts of destinations are opened up to you.

This is part of the transformation that can be brought about in terms of lifestyle. Your sense of what is possible will change, with access becoming available to a range of new options. As well as embracing life within a new location, you will suddenly discover that it’s possible to travel extensively across the region.

Knowing that you are helping

Many countries within the Middle East have experienced difficulties within the recent past. The recent history of Iraq, to take one example, is well known. Your presence within the region is likely to have a positive impact, as you assist with rebuilding the economy, bringing valuable expertise.

At times, you will be confronted with situations that you simply wouldn’t expect to find at home. This can act as a reminder of the fact that you are dealing with very different circumstances. It can also be helpful in building awareness that you have a role to play in helping local people. There’s no doubt that your work, when seen in this context, can be extremely rewarding. Although you may not arrive in the Middle East on some form of humanitarian mission, you will be contributing to life within your new home.

Building your network

The region plays a core role across many industry sectors, including energy, tourism and finance. From a professional perspective, there is an opportunity here to build your network of contacts. There is nothing to compare with actually having face to face meetings with decision makers in the region.

While others may make their phone calls from offices in the US, for example, you’ll be meeting and socialising with those in the region on a daily basis. That gives you an enormous advantage and it’s something that can be used to your benefit, expanding the potential to boost your career position. You may not think about a move to Iraq or Iran, for example, as providing networking opportunities. But this is a key advantage to making such a move.

In the past two blog posts, we’ve investigated why it is that so many people choose to work in the Middle East. As we have outlined, there are numerous advantages to doing so. If you’d like to learn more about the opportunities that may be available to you, then do get in touch.