It has been a month, since I landed in Dubai. A month, that has passed faster than I could ever have thought. Compared to the slow pace of life in Kerala, this place is on the highway running at 100 kilometres per hour, though I think that Hong Kong, runs even faster!
It is a rather well known fact among those who care to know, that if you arrive in Dubai on a visit, which is longer than 15 days, chances are you are here to look for a job and not just enjoy the Dubai Shopping Festival or 'larger than life' edifices and experiences.
Choices
With Indians flooding the Gulf countries over the last 4 decades, clearly the Middle East has been a destination of choice that has bettered lives of millions in both locations - destination and origin. I too have been part of this trend in the past and even now, am in the process of possibly re-engaging with the scenario. Of course, it is a different matter that today an Indian expatriate is getting to be more expensive than an African or other Asian expatriate options for employers. However, some leeway still exists.
Of course, human sentiments can get affected by any reason, not even necessarily logical. So the events rolling out in Europe does have an effect in that the 'R' word - recession - comes into play for many a head that talks. Though, in my opinion life goes on. Sure, there is a credit squeeze by big banks, affecting the available cash or 'liquidity' in the market, but it does not mean that life has stopped. A lot of the hype has to do with media visibility/reporting as well. Therefore, whatever be the scenario drummed up, if you are the right person, at the right time and place, there is likely to be a opportunity available to you.
So, in the last four weeks, I have spent some time in various meetings with the recruiting industry apart from the direct employer interviews. Interestingly, none of my meetings have happened due to my response to an advertisement. All meetings have been engineered through a network of contacts built over the years. So, I thought it may be of interest to you on how this process has been working so far.
For any wannabe employee, apart from the usual rigours of approaching and finding the right employer via multiple applications and interviews, somewhere off centre sits the 'recruitment consultants'. Ranging from the ultra professional to the 'mom-n-pop' variety, interacting with them is an experience by itself.
Consideration
I am not an out and out Human Resources professional, but with a MBA degree which involved understanding certain aspects of HR, I would like to think that I am not completely oblivious to the various facets of interacting and engaging with both employees and job seekers. Human Resource Management is a thankless task - I am the first to say this. However, the reason why many an HR professional is maligned is simply because they forget the basics of what their function is, really.
Quite often, a meaningful conversation is enough. Even better if followed through, by convincing action. Yet, when bland faces, uninterested wavering eyes and a yawning mouth is what is displayed to an employee or a job hunter, then definitely emphasised is how sheer a waste of time it is, for people at both ends! And in the final run up, simply not worth it. Sure, I understand that as a consultant or an HR professional, everyday so many seekers attempt to get to you. But that is absolutely not an acceptable reason to get so jaded. Not if you really are passionate about what you do. Wake up; listen; empathise; and get your act together; is what comes to my mind, when I think about or experience such a situation. And I would like to state that there are those who are much better than this. I have met some. So, no it is not a complete write off. Just keep in mind that that just as your priority is to secure an interview opportunity, theirs is too. Somewhere the proverbial twain does meet.
What next?
Coming back to my experience, it has been one interesting ride so far. On the horizon are a few offers based out of Dubai or Muscat. And maybe even Hong Kong. Again, only time will tell how life turns out. What it does indicate is that irrespective of so called recessionary trends or not, if you have the right attitude, quality of experience and depth of knowledge - out there exists an organisation which will find you worth investing in. So, never give up hope. Ever.
The next post of mine will be focussed on Dubai as a visitor and the experiences I have had so far.
-------------------
PS: This blog got showcased on Indian Top Blogs on Christmas day - what a gift! I am thankful to the ITB team. And equally happy when considering the fact that so far, out of 115 blogs nominated, only 19 blogs have been showcased. Not only does it indicate the quality of reviews that the ITB team undertakes but also is a resounding pat on the back from peers, for an amateur expressionist like me.
It is a rather well known fact among those who care to know, that if you arrive in Dubai on a visit, which is longer than 15 days, chances are you are here to look for a job and not just enjoy the Dubai Shopping Festival or 'larger than life' edifices and experiences.
Choices
With Indians flooding the Gulf countries over the last 4 decades, clearly the Middle East has been a destination of choice that has bettered lives of millions in both locations - destination and origin. I too have been part of this trend in the past and even now, am in the process of possibly re-engaging with the scenario. Of course, it is a different matter that today an Indian expatriate is getting to be more expensive than an African or other Asian expatriate options for employers. However, some leeway still exists.
Of course, human sentiments can get affected by any reason, not even necessarily logical. So the events rolling out in Europe does have an effect in that the 'R' word - recession - comes into play for many a head that talks. Though, in my opinion life goes on. Sure, there is a credit squeeze by big banks, affecting the available cash or 'liquidity' in the market, but it does not mean that life has stopped. A lot of the hype has to do with media visibility/reporting as well. Therefore, whatever be the scenario drummed up, if you are the right person, at the right time and place, there is likely to be a opportunity available to you.
So, in the last four weeks, I have spent some time in various meetings with the recruiting industry apart from the direct employer interviews. Interestingly, none of my meetings have happened due to my response to an advertisement. All meetings have been engineered through a network of contacts built over the years. So, I thought it may be of interest to you on how this process has been working so far.
For any wannabe employee, apart from the usual rigours of approaching and finding the right employer via multiple applications and interviews, somewhere off centre sits the 'recruitment consultants'. Ranging from the ultra professional to the 'mom-n-pop' variety, interacting with them is an experience by itself.
Consideration
I am not an out and out Human Resources professional, but with a MBA degree which involved understanding certain aspects of HR, I would like to think that I am not completely oblivious to the various facets of interacting and engaging with both employees and job seekers. Human Resource Management is a thankless task - I am the first to say this. However, the reason why many an HR professional is maligned is simply because they forget the basics of what their function is, really.
Quite often, a meaningful conversation is enough. Even better if followed through, by convincing action. Yet, when bland faces, uninterested wavering eyes and a yawning mouth is what is displayed to an employee or a job hunter, then definitely emphasised is how sheer a waste of time it is, for people at both ends! And in the final run up, simply not worth it. Sure, I understand that as a consultant or an HR professional, everyday so many seekers attempt to get to you. But that is absolutely not an acceptable reason to get so jaded. Not if you really are passionate about what you do. Wake up; listen; empathise; and get your act together; is what comes to my mind, when I think about or experience such a situation. And I would like to state that there are those who are much better than this. I have met some. So, no it is not a complete write off. Just keep in mind that that just as your priority is to secure an interview opportunity, theirs is too. Somewhere the proverbial twain does meet.
What next?
Coming back to my experience, it has been one interesting ride so far. On the horizon are a few offers based out of Dubai or Muscat. And maybe even Hong Kong. Again, only time will tell how life turns out. What it does indicate is that irrespective of so called recessionary trends or not, if you have the right attitude, quality of experience and depth of knowledge - out there exists an organisation which will find you worth investing in. So, never give up hope. Ever.
The next post of mine will be focussed on Dubai as a visitor and the experiences I have had so far.
-------------------
PS: This blog got showcased on Indian Top Blogs on Christmas day - what a gift! I am thankful to the ITB team. And equally happy when considering the fact that so far, out of 115 blogs nominated, only 19 blogs have been showcased. Not only does it indicate the quality of reviews that the ITB team undertakes but also is a resounding pat on the back from peers, for an amateur expressionist like me.
