Talent at all levels, from entry-level to upper management, is in high demand in the UAE hospitality business right now. Recent data from job boards indicates that the United Arab Emirates is home to thousands of open positions in the hospitality industry.
Important positions being posted
Some examples of the types of jobs available are
Jobs for beginners: waiters and waitresses, kitchen helpers and stewards, and housekeepers. According to one job posting, the salary range for this position in Dubai is between AED 2,000 and 3,500.
Jobs in the middle management tier include bartender/barista, front desk receptionist, and guest relations officer. Median guest relations positions, for example, were found to pay between 3,500 and 6,500 AED per year.
Managerial and supervisory positions, such as those in the hospitality industry, pay anything from 5,000 to 15,000 UAE dirhams per annum plus, depending on the level of responsibility and years of experience the candidate has.
Several specialized and support positions, including villa/live-in house manager, cleaners for high-end homes, food and beverage service expert, and concierge supervisor.
Plenty of openings: As of this writing, prominent UAE portals have over four thousand job listings pertaining to the hospitality industry.
Why are there a lot of openings?
After the epidemic, the hospitality, tourism, and hotel development industries in the United Arab Emirates picked up speed, leading to an increase in the number of openings at hotels, resorts, and restaurants.
The demand for workers is rising as a result of the opening or expansion of numerous new establishments. One Reddit user pointed out that the United Arab Emirates is expecting thousands of new jobs due to the construction of 23,000+ hotel rooms.
Businesses are eager to restock or enlarge their staffs in anticipation of peak travel times, major events, and conferences. Therefore, if you are interested in working in the UAE’s hospitality industry, you should take action today.
Salary, Benefits, and Other Common Perks of UAE Hospitality Jobs
What are the usual perks of working in the UAE hospitality industry? What more are you required to know?
Advantages shared
Housing (or stipend), transport, medical insurance, and a free or heavily discounted visa are common perks listed in Dubai employment ads. “Salary plus free UAE visa, accommodation, meals, transportation, and medical insurance” is one example.
An attractive feature of the United Arab Emirates for expats is the absence of personal income tax.
There is typically room for advancement from entry-level positions to supervisory and managerial responsibilities as a result of the sector’s rapid expansion.
Experience working with high-profile clients from around the world, exposing you to the finest in luxury hospitality, and boosting your resume.
Competitive pay is offered for senior posts, particularly in luxury or large properties.
Important things to remember to check
Even a “good salary” needs to be considered in the context of the high cost of housing, living, and transportation in the UAE, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. (For instance, despite the availability of jobs, a survey revealed that cost-of-living constraints persist.)
Insider Business
Make sure you check all the details of the sponsorship, including the terms of accommodation, work schedules (hospitality jobs sometimes involve early or late hours and weekends), and benefits.
Your “take home” pay may be heavily dependent on allowances and bonuses if you’re applying for an entry-level position with a lower base salary.
You still need to make a statement since standing out is more important than having a large number of roles available due to the high level of competition. To illustrate:
“300+ applications in 2 days for a hotel position posted on LinkedIn… You recently saw an 85% decline in your competition.
A Guide to the UAE Hospitality Industry
Here are some easy things you can do to increase your chances of getting a role:
Write a résumé that stands out in the hotel industry.
Regardless of how “soft” the experience is, make sure it’s relevant by highlighting it: customer service, teamwork, cleanliness, food and beverage service, housekeeping, etc.
In the UAE’s high-end hospitality industry, being able to speak English is a must, but being fluent in Arabic, Russian, French, or any other language can set you apart.
Make sure your resume is role-specific: Applying for a position at the front desk requires experience interacting with guests; applying for a position in the kitchen or as a steward requires similar skills, as well as a commitment to personal hygiene.
Use proper formatting (PDF recommended), be brief, and maintain a professional tone.
Do extensive research and strategically implement
You may find thousands of active hospitality job openings on Indeed UAE and other job sites.
Visit employment boards that focus on the hotel industry, such as the hospitality division of MNC Jobs Gulf.
Jump straight to the top hotel and resort job boards; that’s where you’ll find the majority of openings.
Employ UAE-based staffing firms that focus on the hotel industry; these firms can help with everything from initial screenings to final placements and even visa assistance.
Get in touch and keep in touch
It could be helpful to contact human resources via phone or email shortly after submitting an application.
You can get a lot more responses from hotel job portals if you apply directly and then give them a call to follow up, as one Reddit user pointed out.
A lot of new properties hire quickly during the setup process, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on pre-opening teams and forthcoming hotel openings.
Participate in networking events, such as job fairs, and network with recruiters, hotel HR personnel, and other hospitality industry professionals on LinkedIn.
Get assessed and interview-ready.
Be prepared to answer questions regarding your availability for shifts and weekends, language skills, teamwork abilities, and capacity to handle pressure.
Questions about operations (food and beverage measurements, cost controls, guest satisfaction scores) for managers and supervisors.
The United Arab Emirates is home to a diverse workforce and frequent international visitors, so it’s important to be prepared to work early or stay late if needed. Additionally, be sure to display strong personal presentation skills and cultural awareness.
The First Steps Into a Career in the UAE
Here are the essential things you need to do to start working in the UAE once you get a job offer.
Sponsorship and visa
The typical procedure for obtaining a work visa or employment permit is for your employer to take on the role of sponsor. “Visa provided” is a common phrase in job postings.
Depending on the emirate, you could have to go through a residency “labor card” procedure, Emirates ID registration, and medical exams.
Transferring and lodging
Make it clear whether you’re referring to company-owned housing, an allowance, or your own arrangements; many hospitality jobs offer housing.
Make sure you know when you are required to move and what kind of assistance is provided, such as transportation, a temporary hotel, or a trip.
Come a day or two early to settle in—book housing, banking, and telecommunications—and attend a local orientation—all before your “official” start date.
Welcome, local rules and regulations, and customization.
Keep all company-provided orientations (on topics such as safety procedures, UAE labor laws, room operations, and guest service standards) to a minimum.
Find out what days off you have, how many hours per shift you work, and whether or not you get overtime. There are a lot of night and weekend shifts in the hospitality industry.
In order to fit in better, it’s a good idea to study up on UAE culture, namely the dress code, expectations for guest service, and national and religious holidays.
Get an Emirates ID, set up a bank account, enroll in any job perks, and arrange for housing and transportation once you’ve arrived.
Expansion and long-term strategy
Focus on continuing your education when you’re employed by enrolling in classes in hospitality, earning credentials in guest service, learning a second language, or enrolling in a leadership program.
For example, you may want to progress from being a waiter to a supervisor and then to an assistant manager. There is an opportunity for individuals who excel in the UAE hospitality industry, thanks to its rapid expansion.
Keep tabs on your performance and, if applicable, guest satisfaction measures, and let your boss or human resources know that you’re interested in moving up the ladder.
In summary,
There are now a lot of options in the UAE if you want to start or grow a career in the hotel industry. It is a desirable location because of the abundance of available jobs (ranging from entry-level to executive positions), the absence of taxes on income, and the growth of the tourist and hospitality industries.
Success in the hospitality industry is not guaranteed, though; you must be well-prepared for the long hours and high demands of guests, as well as submit a solid candidate profile and apply intelligently. Additionally, you must carefully select your company with regard to visas, housing, and shift patterns. You can start a successful career in international hospitality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if you have the correct attitude and are well-prepared.