What To Expect When Working In Abu Dhabi

By Author: Constance Martinez
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Getting a job in Abu Dhabi could be a very exciting experience. For the uninitiated, Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE. It is the country's largest emirate with over 1.6 million residents. However, it is sometimes treated as Dubai's less glamorous cousin but knowing more about Abu Dhabi and working here makes it clear that it is a beautiful place for expatriates and Abu Dhabi jobs are still quite sought after. It offers excellent jobs with high salaries and a lifestyle to reckon with. It is a vibrant and lively city.

If you are planning to look for a job in Abu Dhabi or have already found one, it would be very useful to find more about the city and the kind of lifestyle that it offers. The accommodation, getting around the city, education for children, lifestyle etc are the aspects that one needs to know a little about before landing in the city. Especially if you are relocating for an Abu Dhabi job with your family, you would need to know more about getting your family settled there.

Abu Dhabi enjoys strategic importance in UAE as it is the capital city and houses the government. Also, Abu Dhabi enjoys nearly ...
... 9% of total world oil reserves. Thus, a major proportion of economy is based on oil & gas in the city. Most foreign workers who come looking for a job in Dubai are mainly employed in the oil and gas industry. Owing to this, the expatriate population in the city has grown a lot over the last decade or so. Other sectors are also opening up like banking, hospitality, IT and healthcare. A lot of foreign skilled professionals are employed in these sectors from India, Philippines, UK and other European countries. The fact that people of so many varied nationalities are working in Abu Dhabi gives an eclectic flavor to the culture of the city.

Abu Dhabi is a peaceful and beautiful Middle Eastern city and offers a good lifestyle to those who choose to work here. It is just 90 minutes drive away from Dubai but is far more peaceful than Dubai. It is an ideal place to bring in your family and enjoy the warmth and luxuries offered by this place to expatriates. It is not just modern but also culturally focused. The climate is pleasant for most part of the year. The full, bright sun can be seen throughout the year and the temperatures are the mildest between October and April. The temperature during these months range 25 to 35 degree Celsius. In the summer months, the heat is scorching as temperatures soar to 40s with high levels of humidity. However, all buildings across the city would have some form of air conditioning so working indoors, one can easily be spared the wrath of the sun.

For getting around the city while on any job in Abu Dhabi, it is recommended that you own your own vehicle. Cars are easily available and can be resold when you leave the city at the end of your tenure. Otherwise, you can always hire a cab to be about the city. There is no train system in the UAE, so one has to approach other cities only by road. So, one can either take a bus or hire a cab to go to other cities. You will get to know these little details from the PRO of your office. When it comes to accommodation, expatriates cannot buy their own property in Abu Dhabi unlike in Dubai. So, property can be rented. Well-furnished, beautiful apartments and villas are available to rent in Abu Dhabi. Mostly, expatriates are given an allowance by their employer for accommodation or it is a part of the salary package. This is one thing that you must check before taking up any job in Abu Dhabi because living on your own could be very expensive.

Abu Dhabi provides good opportunities for recreation and night life. There is a lot that you and your family can do in the free time. The work week extends either for five or six days depending on the company. Friday is off in all companies. So, whether you enjoy, pubbing, clubbing, going for movies, playing Golf or any other favorite hobby, you will get enough opportunities in Abu Dhabi to cater to them. Thus, doing a job in Abu Dhabi can be lot of fun if you know how to get y our way around the city and its culture. Approach Abu Dhabi with an open mind and you will definitely come back with memories to cherish.

Geetika Jain writes on behalf of NaukriGulf.com, a leading job portal for jobs in Gulf Region, career prospects in Abu Dhabi , Middle East jobs. Naukri.com's foray into the Middle East is an Endeavour to provide established client base with services that best meet their international requirements as well as expand our operations on to a global arena. More on that at What to Expect When Working In Abu Dhabi