Working Overseas

book smarts

I have some questions for people who have experience in construction overseas- Africa, Middle East, Asia, Caribbean, US., etc.

Specifically contracting/consulting buildings- no heavy civil/petro.

1. Is it worth it? What salary could I expect for typical positions? Is it tax free? Do I need to set up offshore account or something like that?

2. What's the work like? The same as here? Longer days? Are accomodation and expenses usually provided?
How much of the years wage will I actually save? How often do I get holidays home?

3. Whats the best way to go about getting work? - London agencies?

4. Would I be better off in Ireland with the hassle? Is it better to do when young? Is one year enough/too much?

5. What's the best place to aim for for best money? Arabia? UAE? Iraq? Afghanistan? Japan? where?

It's probably one of the best ways I can think of to get enough money to buy a house/start a business. I know many guys consider doing it.

Any help much appreciated, Thanks.

c - 13

Hey, I just started a role similar to the ones you describe here (Autumn '06). I wont give company names or anything but ill try answer your questions.

I have some questions for people who have experience in construction overseas- Africa, Middle East, Asia, Caribbean, US., etc.
Middle East for me.

Specifically contracting/consulting buildings- no heavy civil/petro.
We do a bit of everything.

1. Is it worth it? What salary could I expect for typical positions? Is it tax free? Do I need to set up offshore account or something like that?
Good experience, money is good, I always wanted to travel anyway so this gives me the opportunity to travel and work at the same time. Salary varies depending on position, some places are tax free others not (middle east is mostly tax free).

2. What's the work like?
Depends on what your position
The same as here? Longer days?
Again depends on where you are - The middle east has its holy day on a friday so the working week is sat through to thurs (half day thurs).

Are accomodation and expenses usually provided?
Accomodation is provided and a daily "Living allowance"
How much of the years wage will I actually save?
A Lot of it as you wont be spending anything really.
How often do I get holidays home?
Again it depends on where/who you work for, ours is 4 months on, 2 weeks off. Flights home and back to site are paid.

3. Whats the best way to go about getting work? - London agencies?
My company is Irish, I got the position through a recruitment agency.

4. Would I be better off in Ireland with the hassle? Is it better to do when young? Is one year enough/too much?
Well i'm 22, I havent been here long enough to say how much is enough.

5. What's the best place to aim for for best money? Arabia? UAE? Iraq? Afghanistan? Japan? where?
Its all relative to who you work for and what you do, some contracts will be worth more than others.

It's probably one of the best ways I can think of to get enough money to buy a house/start a business. I know many guys consider doing it.
That was my theory too, I wanted to travel and I wanted a job that would allow me to travel with them.

Any help much appreciated, Thanks.[/QUOTE]

godtabh

I worked in America for a while.

Pay was almost about 12k more for a graduate civil engineer compared to the money I was being offered here.

Hours were longer. Holidays were shorter and the working environment was very different

book smarts

c - 13, what country are you in, and what agency got you the job, may I ask?

c - 13

At the moment i'm in Ireland, but i'm due to move out to the middle east in March.

I happened to find a notice on Monster (I think) for the company and went from there. Although a lot of people just apply directly to the company too.

niceguyjoe

is there any where we can get solid adivce im thinking of going to oz.

godtabh

niceguyjoe wrote: »

is there any where we can get solid adivce im thinking of going to oz.

There is very little jobs over there. Have a friend over there since last summer and hasnt managed to get a job yet

sean_d

In a similar vein, is there anywhere thats doing ok at the moment?
Graduate in 2 months, not a sniff of even an interview yet, and I'm certainly not the only one in this boat.

godtabh

sean_d wrote: »

In a similar vein, is there anywhere thats doing ok at the moment?
Graduate in 2 months, not a sniff of even an interview yet, and I'm certainly not the only one in this boat.

I've tried canada in the last couple of weeks and heard nothing

spideog7

sean_d wrote: »

Graduate in 2 months, not a sniff of even an interview yet, and I'm certainly not the only one in this boat.

In the same situation here. Trying abroad but it's tough to get that first foot in. Not ready to just head off with no sign of a job organised before hand, just can't afford to do that.