Things to far and the tedious job hunting in Bahrain!
September 15th, 2007
Hi,
It’s been exactly a month now since I submitted my dissertation and returned back to Bahrain. I had until the 7th of September to submit it, instead I worked on the research daily for 15 hours and managed to finish it on the 14th of August and submitted it the next day. Surprisingly, I was the first student in the program (MSc in Management) to hand-in the dissertation.
On the same day of submission I phoned a shipping agency to come and pick up my stuff and ship it back to Bahrain (Cost me around 225BHD to ship 86KG of luggage).
On the same day as well, I booked for a flight with our infamous national airline . Within few days, I was back safe and sound in Bahrain, and for good this time!
After one day of complete relaxation, I thought of going on a job hunt and supplying soft (By email and fax) and hard copies of my CV to every possible place I could work in.
JOB HUNTING IN BAHRAIN
Prior to my arrival here, I had this perception that job hunting in Bahrain at many firms is a piece of cake and not as complex as the British system of recruitment where a candidate had to go through many stages in order to fill the vacancy. In fact, this is true because many firms and entities in Bahrain only require you to attend an interview where little and simple questions are asked or may be to do a simple test that hardly tests your true knowledge.
However, this is not the issue for me. What I did is as follows: I printed out 50 copies of my CV, went to every possible place you can think of: , All banks in Bahrain, Diplomatic Area, Seef District, Moayyad Tower, higher education institutions in Bahrain (NYIT, UOB, Dilmun, Ahlia) and car agencies in Sitra. I also applied at many reputable organisations through their electronic recruitment website such as : Gulf Air - Bapco - Ernst & Young - Batelco - Gulf Finance House and many many others that I can’t even remember!
I got 3 offers out from all the places I went to (Gulf air, Abo-Ghazala International Group and First Motor W.L.L). Depressingly, all the position offered a remuneration of 200ish BHD. I was thinking with such qualifications, employers would at least offer suitable positions and generous income. I was surprised how most (if not all) would not offer me any positions other than those lowly paid ones. It is not that I consider those jobs as “insignificant”, but I was thinking that people with less knowledge can handle those kind of jobs, and then what is the point of me being away for more than 5 years trying to obtain best education as possible, then come back to be offered positions which has no or little future career development?
The other thing is, If I am considering betrothal soon (In fact I am!), Nonetheless, how will I manage to spend on my fiancée, arrange for an engagement party and in future start a family and pay rents with only 200BHD?
I don’t want to be thought as a vain or arrogant, but I truly believe that I deserve better. I did an extravagant effort to reach this point and become a highly qualified individual. And as everybody else I have many big dreams that I want to fulfil, but with this situation I think it is very hard to do so. I tried my best to market my interpersonal skills and knowledge, but no employee seem to have interest whatsoever.
I learned several things via this job hunting process.
Firstly you have to get a strong back (ظهر قوي ) and Was6a (Vitamin W واو) and get to know a big Haamoor (هامور) in the company you wish to be employed in. Otherwise you won’t be considered whatever experience or qualifications you got (يمشون على قاعدة الأقربون أولى بالمعروف)
Secondly If you go to an interview and were asked about your salary expectation, don’t answer and give them any figure! Just say in a formal way (إنتون كرماء وأنا أستاهل) (E.g. It depends on my duties and responsibilities) and try to escape from giving them a number when they force you into providing them with one!
Thirdly When I went to submit my C.V. at several companies, I was faced with rudeness, frowns and sometimes ignorance (جني جاي اطر او مرتكب جريمة). So when you face this situation just do the same and صير بليتة وقابل النار بالنار . Don’t act innocent with those who try to degrade you, even if they would consider your job application!
Fourthly University graduates in Bahrain deserve better and should be given jobs that utilizes their knowledge & experience and facilitates their determination and ambitions.
I guess I will be “jobless” for more than anticipated. I know I have to be very very very patient in “Wonderland” and offers would come soon to me, but those are things which I’ve witnessed and loved to share it with you.
It hurts every time I remember that I have to ask the “BABA” for money :$. No wass6a?! Then no job :¬|
Until then, stay safe, take care and happy fasting 
T.
23 Comments »
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God helps u dada!
Comment by lizardo — September 15, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
good luck in finding a job inshallah..
el arzaq eb eyd allah =)
Comment by GaDeeR — September 15, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
Love the list you put up there!
It’s pretty depressing to know what offers a graduate of an abroad school gets.
Good luck any way boyo, you do deserve better =)
Comment by minus — September 15, 2007 @ 11:59 pm
All the best .. don’t give up .. and hopefully there will be great times ahead of you. But BD200 is a depressing start. Sorry to hear what you are going through but I am glad you are not keeping quiet about it. I suggest you write and write and write and name and shame.
But I also understand the situation when you just apply for any job out there and the number of applications companies are getting. Since you don’t want any job and have specific requirements, have you tried those job hunting companies which will put you in touch with employers in the jobs you really want? Also, while I understand that BD200 is a degrading unrealistic salary, but since you are obviously not a hamoor, won’t it be better to start somewhere and then move on. From my experience from seeing people around me.. for some reason .. you are a more lucrative candidate and a better catch if you work somewhere — anywhere — rather than being unemployed… and naturally .. or rather hopefully.. one thing will lead to another
At least that’s what the optimistic part of me would tell myself! Good luck and all the best!
Comment by sillybahrainigirl — September 17, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Allah ee3eenik my friend, don’t give up that’s all I can say and I agree with SillyBahrainiGirl better jobs will come up when you’re in a job (it shows them that you are worth hiring since you’re already hired somewhere else!)
Bahrain is a tiny place and everyone knows eachother and everyone has done some favours so their fellow man so trying to overcome Vitamin W is a near impossibility.
Have you tried LMRA? or even the dastardly CIO?
Rather than going for a machine gun approach (throwing CVs at every company you can think of) have you tried looking in the classifieds and adapting your CV to whatever the job to make it easier for the company to see that you fit their criteria and show them that you are the ‘right’ person for the job?
All the best of luck and one final piece of advice:
DO NOT BY ANY MEANS EVEN THINK OF WORKING IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION UNLESS YOU WANT TO COMMIT CAREER SUICIDE BEFORE IT EVEN STARTS!
Oh, tell me when you are up for a starbucks, the drinks are on me this time
Comment by Yagoob's Dome — September 18, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Thank you for the heads up guys. Yagoob, I’ve tried the classifieds and I am trying my best to make use of it with a hope that soon enough one of the companies would reply with a generous offer.
@Sillybahrainigirl: Thank you so much for the advice and I really don’t mind starting off my future with a low income at a reputable, well-known company, knowing that it would provide me with the career development that I am currently seeking.
The thing is that I am capable of taking up a challenging job from the start without intensive training, that’s why it won’t do me much good to start from the bottom of the ladder. Let alone the responsibilities I have to take in the near future for provide living to a soon-to-come family. That’s why I need a job with good remuneration. I really see your point silly, and I think it is important to start off this way for a new fresh graduate. Thank you thank you for the golden tips!
@yagoob: I’ve tried both and still waiting some response from them
I am feeling optimistic about it.
I’ve also tried the National Employment Project (NEP) and the Employment supervisor is so helpful. She is sending my CV to many companies and things are shaping up.
Ministry of Education is nothing near my mind at all. I heard all sh**y stuff about it and I would never consider going there at all. Thanks for confirming this perception and letting me avoid any further thoughts about working for this ministry.
Yallah man let’s meet at starbucks
I’d be more than happy to meet you again. I’ve sent you a Ramadhan txt msg once hoping for a reply which unfortunately had not been received. Anyways, let’s get in touch and see how we can meet again.
Thank all dudes for passing by!
T.
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