Do it now

This post is directed to those of you who want to arrive in Qatar before starting the visa process or job search.
I am going to make this as clear as possible. Do your homework from your home country first. If you want the real expatriate package contacting employers before you arrive is the smartest way to go. Their is a different playbook here in the middle east. If you know someone working here than contact them and see if you can get a recommendation or advice on where to look right now. Their is always a high demand for Oil and Gas professional with Engineering Degree and experience, for these positions there are more jobs than applicants. Jobs that don’t require Engineering Degree’s drops you into a pool that has applicants readily available. However, Military Job Fairs are year round in the U.S. If you want to make contact with Western Companies in the middle east Military Job Fairs are a good source. Because military employment includes mechanical skills and trade positions, so you can get in where you fit in. High paying jobs outside of the base will be evaluated based on education and years of experience. Also one should not be naive, nationality plays a large role as well. A given company may be Arab but the management could be British or Indian. In one instance it befits you in another it doesn’t. You as a westerner British. English, Australian. South African are not going to beat out a qualified Indian or Arab if the HR has a say so. This is all very legal you should know. But don’t be alarmed because these same companies sometimes request your services because of the need for your fluent English speaking skills in key situations. Review the pages concerning middle east job sites. Some key Google search terms are Qatar Foundation
and Education City Qatar good luck and prepare for success.