Career Opportunities in the Middle East...!

Malaysian leaders do visit and meet Malaysian Professionals overseas,
including those in the Middle East!

Pre-amble:

1. According to a World Bank report, Malaysians residing and working overseas touched 1,000,000 in 2009.

2. The Middle East is a gold-mine which is attracting Malaysians expats, especially the Muslims!

3. There are more than 10,000 Malaysians in UAE, Qatar, and Saudi combined!

4. In the Middle East, 80 percent of jobs are filled by Expats!

5. Malaysians are respected and held in high regards! This spells opportunities.

6. There are 5000 Malaysians in UAE, 4000 in Qatar, and 3000 in Saudi!

 7. In 2009 & 2010 saw movement of employees from Dubai … to  Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi!

8. Qatar: World cup 2022 driving growth! 14.0% in 2010 and 15.8% in 2011

9. Petroleum remains the key engine of  the regional economy!

10. Health care, Retail, Islamic Banking, Construction, Aquaculture are growth industries.


Global opportunities: Companies in different part of the world are sourcing talents from where they are best available.  The world is turning into one global employment market!

In the Middle East, for example, it is very common for companies to have more than 20 different Nationalities on their payroll!

Some of the factors driving Malaysians to go for job opportunities in the Middle East:

•Lack of opportunities locally.

•Higher net disposable income

•Better Education for Children

•Socio Economic situation (Sense of unsafe living in Malaysia, Faster increase in  Cost of Living compared to increase in income level)  

•To experience new culture and places

•Opportunities for Self Development

•Better living standards

I have created a formula which link

The right Job * The right pay * Family objectives = Satisfaction and happiness.

It is important to find the right job which offers challenges, opportunity of achievement and growth, conducive working climate, and managed by professionals at the most senior level. From my experience, family owned companies which are managed by family members often frustrate high achieving employees due to internal feud or extreme comprises between family members.

It is important to do research in advance of the right salary range for the level of expertise and experience which you possess for your particular field of profession. Do not under-sell yourself! Contrary to popular beliefs, employers actually respect potential candidates who knows and negotiate for his compensation package!

Knowing your family objectives is crucial! For example, if the objective is primarily to get good education for your children, then negotiate for the inclusion of school fees for top notch International schools and only look for jobs in cities which have such schools. On the other hand, if your priority is to get spiritual enhancement, and you are a Muslim, then by all means look for a job in Mecca, Medina, or Jeddah! If however, you prefer social freedom and entertainment options then Dubai maybe a better option for you and your family.

 

Watch this space. In the next article, I will outline some options of the routes you can take to get your first lucky break - to find your dream job in the Middle East!

Haji Ahmad Kamil, A Malaysian holding a senior
position in the Jeddah Municipality!

Picture: Malaysians in Dubai having a family outing!

Adlil and Iza - Photos~!

Saat mendebarkan Pengantin lelaki...

I saw these lovely photos of Adlil and his bride Iza on their FB! Wow, I thought. Pictures do tell good stories, and I see a wonderful love story in the making!

Here I am sharing with you - with consent from the bridegroom, of course.

Best wishes to them both!

"Bliss...is the heart which beats to the rhythm of love songs!"

"Tidak perlukan kata-kata, lirikan mata menyuarakan segala~!"



Getting together is a beginning...



Sometimes...love is about being able to pause and reflect, together!



Sharing...is caring!



Being together is a journey....

Bismillaah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Al hamdu lillaahi rabbil 'alameen
Ar-Rahman ar-Raheem Maaliki yaumid Deen
Iyyaaka na'abudu wa iyyaaka nasta'een
Ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem
Siraatal ladheena an 'amta' alaihim
Ghairil maghduubi' alaihim waladaaleen
Aameen
In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.
Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds.
The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning.
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.
Guide us on the straight path,
the path of those who have received your grace;
not the path of those who have brought down wrath,

nor of those who wander astray.
Amen.

Restu Keluarga demi menjamin kebahagiaan~!
The bride's family above, and my family below - welcoming Iza to the fold.

Cinta MH 150!

At 3.10pm today I boarded flight MH150 to Jeddah with a mixed feeling. Leaving behind four of our children and others whom we love was hard. At the same time, there was peace in my heart about returning to Jeddah. 

Work and deadlines awaited me. Not only that, a 35+ degree heat and sandstrom as well. But it was not what awaited me which made me felt good. It was, ironically, what I were also leaving behind.

The past few weeks in Malaysia have been helter skelter, hectic, and spiced up with some kind of unexpected emotional roller coaster ride. There were a few high points; the highest of all being the wedding of our eldest son. The joyful feeling was undescribable! Then the knowledge that I have made a few people happy and brought smiles to a few more through some good deeds made me felt good too. On the business end, I completed a few important errands related to my investment.

I settled down in my seat and I could feel my muscle relaxed, my frown faded and changed into a soft smile. I glanced to my left, seated next to me on seat 2F was a familiar face whom I have not looked at in a way that I should for the past 3 weeks.

While in Malaysia, I have allowed other priorities taken over and dictated my life. She had given me space, which I very much appreciated, and sometimes abused. Luckily, she too had been busy doing her own things and catching up with relatives and friends.

Spontaneously I reached out for her hands. The same pair of hands which have soothed so much of my past pain, bandaged wounds in my heart, and have wiped away my tears.

On her arm I noticed fresh scar.
"Hot oil!" She said. when I asked what had happened.

I have failed to notice.

This 9 hours flight...is an opportunity to exchange our stories and for me to win back her heart.

I love you darling! Welcome back to our very own abode.

The plane is pulling back from its port and I have to switched off my Blackberry. I am glad I had this few minutes for me to share what was racing through my mind.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from Aljawal