Looking for a job abroad usually consists of several key steps:
- Assessing my level of foreign language proficiency
- Researching the job market
- Preparing my CV and creating or updating my LinkedIn profile
- Writing a cover letter
- Applying for jobs and networking
- Preparing for interviews and test assignments
- Discussing the offer
- Applying for a visa
- Relocating
I usually start by exploring job search websites. It is important for me to define my field, expected salary, and preferred type of company. The UAE can be considered either as a final destination or as a stepping stone in my career. In Dubai, Russian-speaking candidates can find work with English only – knowledge of the local language is not required. English is the main working language in corporations and startups, where people from many different countries need a common language to communicate.
Next, I focus closely on my CV. This is my most important document, along with the cover letter. I prepare several versions of my CV, slightly adjusted for different types of roles I am targeting. I make sure to use relevant keywords – skills and requirements that are mentioned directly in job descriptions.
Whether I use a cover letter depends on the type of company I am applying to. For most office-based roles, especially in international companies, a cover letter can be very helpful and sometimes expected.
Then comes the stage of searching for vacancies and submitting applications. I don’t rely on just one platform and usually set up job alerts across multiple websites. At the same time, I focus on quality rather than quantity. If I only have about 30 minutes a day to look for work in the UAE, it is far better to carefully tailor my CV and cover letter for two positions than to send the same CV to twenty employers.
I prepare thoroughly for all stages of interviews – from initial calls with recruiters to test tasks and competency-based questions. For example:
- When applying for a developer role, I may be asked something like: “Tell us about a situation where you had to urgently fix a colleague’s mistake.”
- If I am applying for an engineering role with plans to grow into management, I might hear: “Give an example of working with another department when you had to make an important decision.”
I prepare several short stories in advance, where I briefly describe the situation and my task, then explain my actions and the final result.
If I need more detailed guidance on CVs, LinkedIn, online networking, interviews, and other hiring stages, I read dedicated articles. They are completely free and provide hundreds of practical tips.
The hospitality and restaurant industry in the UAE is particularly interested in interns. There are only two main requirements: being under 30 years old and having fluent English.
Internships usually last between 3 and 6 months and often lead to a full-time job offer in the UAE. Interns typically receive paid flights, a work visa, accommodation, meals, and a monthly allowance of around $400. Internship opportunities can be found on the websites of Rotana and Jumeirah Group.