As unemployment rates in the U.S. continue to surge, I'm thinking that perhaps it's time to look elsewhere for a good job. I've heard about people being able to get into high-paying, challenging, and rewarding careers overseas, so that's something I wish to investigate further. In particular, Middle East jobs are supposed to be among the best -- especially in terms of salary. Since one of my goals is to build up my savings before settling down and starting a family, this would probably be a great option for me.
First of all, let me state right off the bat that I'm not talking about going into war zones in Afghanistan or Iraq in order to make money. I know there are security specialists and consultants who are doing that very thing, but that scene is not for me. Instead, I'm interested in safe Middle East jobs in places like Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. These countries are much more stable and welcoming of foreigners, so there's very little risk of an American living and working in that environment. This is what I want to do.
The easiest place to start looking for Middle East jobs is on the internet. There are a bunch of websites that post job openings in the various countries I listed above, making it a cinch to browse through different categories to see what's out there. For instance, I'd previously heard that there's usually a big demand for English teachers, but I didn't know that the same holds true for health care workers! I've already seen lots of ads for radiologists, nurses, lab technicians, and even general surgeons. Even though I'm not qualified for any of those positions, I took a quick peek at the salary and benefits offered. Wow, now I'm wishing I'd gone to medical school or something!
From what I've seen thus far, it doesn't appear that qualifying for Middle East jobs is significantly different from securing a gig here at home. The whole process of submitting a resume and attending an interview is exactly the same -- except that the interview is usually conducted over the telephone or via Skype videoconference. Some companies have recruiting offices in the U.S., in which case interviews will be conducted in person. But other than that, it seems that Middle East jobs are not any harder to get than the ones here at home. As long as the candidate has a valid passport, a clean record, and can be respectful of a new culture, he or she has a chance at success.
I'm looking for a change right now, and I think moving abroad for a short time will give me precisely what I need. I'm not planning to relocate permanently or anything drastic like that. I just want to see what kind of Middle East jobs I qualify for and maybe get a few years of experience working overseas. Then I can come back home and parlay my new experience into a rewarding long-term career as I finally settle down.