Job Interview

Author
Discussion

HowMuchLonger

Original Poster:

3,012 posts

200 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
I may be coming out to Dubai in the near future for an interview. This may be a stupid question but what is the office dress code out there. I usually wear suit and tie, but I fear that I may overheat in my wool suits.

If the interview goes well I will be back for more info...

IanUAE

2,945 posts

171 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
To be honest depends on the business and the office rules. Range goes from jeans & t-shirts in advertising to suits & ties for banks etc.

shirt

23,496 posts

208 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
i bought a few pairs of gap khakis to wear with shirt & brogues. in my office i am overdressed. engineers wear jeans, boots and a polo, i look like i'm in accounts or something.

i'd still wear the suit for the interview, if all you do is put the jacket on to walk through the door then take it off again. in any case, from hotel>taxi>office you won't break sweat.

Chilli

17,320 posts

243 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
I'm guessing it's an office job, if so yeah, suit and tie I'm afraid.

HowMuchLonger

Original Poster:

3,012 posts

200 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
Thanks,

It will be with an engineering/manufacturing company as a project manager so suit and tie it is.

Next question will be the obvious salary/package queries but that can wait until after the interview.

Does anybody here work for or know of Lamprell?

shirt

23,496 posts

208 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
HowMuchLonger said:
It will be with an engineering/manufacturing company as a project manager so suit and tie it is.
for the interview only i would imagine. i am actually struggling to recall seeing an expat in a tie, even our lawyers don't.

only thing i'd say on salary is to heed what i was told - look at the total sum presented not just the basic. you'll be surprised how cheap it is to rent out here.

Targarama

14,661 posts

290 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all

HowMuchLonger

Original Poster:

3,012 posts

200 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
Targarama said:
Very good, but not sure I will follow every recommendation.

Targarama

14,661 posts

290 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
HowMuchLonger said:
Very good, but not sure I will follow every recommendation.
Some of the articles should give you an idea of how the locals' minds work

shirt

23,496 posts

208 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
Targarama said:
rofl

OP - have you checked your interview is on an auspicious date hehe

Chilli

17,320 posts

243 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
shirt said:
for the interview only i would imagine. i am actually struggling to recall seeing an expat in a tie, even our lawyers don't.

only thing i'd say on salary is to heed what i was told - look at the total sum presented not just the basic. you'll be surprised how cheap it is to rent out here.
I wear a tie every day, but then again, I'm very, very senior, and practically own the place.

As said, the jacket only goes on the second you walk in the door, and hotel, taxi and workplace will be aircon'd, so it's no biggie.
Not heard of the firm myself, but that means nothing!

Good luck and praps we'll eventually arrange that beer for when you're in town.

6th Gear

3,567 posts

201 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
Richard James suit, Hermes tie, John Lobb shoes and Patek Philippe watch. That should seal the deal.

shirt

23,496 posts

208 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
just noticed the lamprell reference. haven't heard of them personally but no doubt dan will have. looks a good gig at any rate.

their website says you'll be based in jafza [jebel ali free zone authority] which is where i work. the benefit of this is that companies operating inside jafza aren't obliged to have a local partner in order to do business. there is not a single emirati at my work and so i haven't experienced some of the 'unique' business practices that can occur out here. i am also 100% certain you will only wear a suit if needed in a high level business meeting with important clients. even then i'd say 50/50. all our directors wear chinos & a shirt.

i've only been here a month but i'm working as a design engineer / PM for a power engineering company. there are certain frustrations [getting simple parts that could be with you that afternoon in the UK is the most challenging - big ticket items are more easily aquired] but on the whole the attitude of both management & workforce far exceeds that which i experienced back home. the consensus of opinion both in and out of work is that the deadwood/get-rich-quick lot shipped out with the crash, those left are happy to be here and enjoy both the work and the lifestyle. so far, i concur.


be sure to say hi if you're here for a few days. always happy to meet engineers in the line of work i want to be in smile

Asterix

24,438 posts

235 months

Tuesday 24th May 2011
quotequote all
I know Lamprell. A good company, used to do their comms work a while back when Steve was still running the show.

They've positioned themselves below the big boys and pick up lots of work.

I've been to their site in JA where they do all the rig and platform refurb work.

Interview - suit & tie but I doubt that you'd ever where a tie again afterwards.

IanUAE

2,945 posts

171 months

Wednesday 25th May 2011
quotequote all
I think I have only ever worn a tie three time in the last 6 years in Dubai, these functions were:

1) Group regional dinner
2) Race of champions gala dinner
3) Funeral

Mattt

16,663 posts

225 months

Wednesday 25th May 2011
quotequote all
Lamprell did a bit of a push recently on recruitment AFAIK, seem to be picking up a fair bit of work.

Chilli

17,320 posts

243 months

Wednesday 25th May 2011
quotequote all
Mattt said:
Lamprell did a bit of a push recently on recruitment AFAIK, seem to be picking up a fair bit of work.
Hello Matt,

Are you on your way any time soon?

Mattt

16,663 posts

225 months

Wednesday 25th May 2011
quotequote all
Been looking, on and off, but doesn't seem a lot about.

Although Nuclear is starting to kick off there, which I might have some talks about.

Desert Dog

149 posts

199 months

Wednesday 25th May 2011
quotequote all
Daily dress in Lamprells consists of overalls if you're in the yard and khaki's / jeans / polos / shirts if you're in the office. Normal oilfield stuff...


Hitch78

6,117 posts

201 months

Wednesday 25th May 2011
quotequote all
I wear a suit and tie every fricking day, as do most of the expats I deal with at our public and private sector clients. On dress down Thursday I take my tie off - I've been caught out when clients have requested to meet several times and it is always a pain to go home and get changed!

The guys on our contracts tend to wear trousers and a shirt for the day to day. Ties are optional based on personal preference.

For a job interview I'd rather overdress and show how keen I am than underdress and fail to impress. A chap turned up at our office for a chat about a senior role and he was in scruffy big trainers, an old pair of jeans and a normal t-shirt. All three people who met him commented on it immediately afterwards - maybe we're all snobs!