PR Job in Qatar: Possibility or Pipe Dream?
By charilovesqatar •
Hi. I'm seeking a public relations job in Qatar. I graduated from a good university and I have nine years of public relations experience. What are my chances of finding good employment in this current economic climate? Is it realistic to expect a company to help and American with my profile obtain a work visa? I'm an American person of color and female. Does my background work for or against me? Would you say its neutral? You can view my resume/profile on this website: http://web.me.com/charrisselyons/Resume/
Completely honest (yet polite) replies are appreciated. Thanks in advance!
sorry folks, I meant to delete this message.
Mmm, no, I'll have to re-check her title. And yeah, that's what I meant about a vacancy at WCMC-Q.
Mandi
Yes, I'll definitely let you know when I come to Doha. At this point, I have an appt set with the guy who's leaving Weill Cornell for a job in Abu Dhabi. He starts the new job this week.
By the way, you said that the Director of Public Affairs for Hamad Hospital is an American. I checked into it and I found a Mohammed Al Noimi listed as the Executive Director of Communications. Is this the same person? I thought this man was Qatari. I'm still going to send my information to him.
Its good to see other parts of the world and you'll find it interesting here....
I hope so, too! Let me know if you come to Doha. Your best bet by far is with an American institution in the Gulf. You get the best of both worlds that way.
Mandi
Hi Mandi, I am actually looking at positions in the Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) at the same time. In fact, one of the managers I contacted is leaving his position in Doha for one in Abu Dhabi. I thank you for so much for suggesting the American colleges. ;-)
I am seeking more challenging work and exposure to new culture(s). I would like to also reap some financial rewards in the process. I'm from the American south, I have lived in New York City and in Washington, D.C. and I've traveled throughout the U.S. extensively for business. I'm ready to see what other parts of the world have to offer. I researched many countries throughout Asia, Latin America and Europe. I find the economic growth and innovation of the Gulf Countries like Qatar and Emirates fascinating. I want to be a part of that.
So I'm now trying to organize a trip. I hope to arrange many interviews and meetings so that I can snag a great gig. So far so good.
Not to be nosy, but why Qatar?
Mandi
Hey thanks again Mandi. I'll definitely send a note to her. I'm getting excited. Hopefully, I'll get good responses in the next few weeks. I would like to travel to Doha in a month or so to connect with these individuals face to face. Hopefully, I'll be able to schedule a formal interview during this trip.
The director of PA at Hamad Hospital is an American woman, you may want to send a note there, too.
Mandi
Roberto, This is helpful information. I'll check into the opportunities at the oil companies also. Thx.
Thank you, Mandi! I did not see such postings on the Cornell website but I am sending an email to the Director of Public Affairs to inquire about job openings. I will do the same for Georgetown, Northwestern, Texas A&M, and Carnegie Mellon. Thanks for the tip.
As for the culture here it's an easy place to live. You'll probably be shocked at the blatant racism here but it tends to be the unskilled poor Asians that suffer most not educated erudite 'women of colour'.,,,,. Oh my god I sound like Halle berry accepting an oscar....
Try the big American oil companies. Exxon, oxy and conoco have significant operations here and pay well
I like your resume very much. Have you applied to the six American universities in Doha? I know Cornell is looking for some PR folks. And how about Al Jazeera?
Mandi
Hi Roberto, thanks for your colorful reply. :-) I have already applied to jobs and I am awaiting their response. This post is an attempt to gain insight about the culture. I just hope that I'm being realistic.
I know that I need to watch the use of such "Americanisms" Sigh... BTW I'm black american. Thanks again.
P.S. If you want to know how the brown people think in this part of the world search for threads
I want to be White
and any thread with family days at the mall....
So what color are you? If you are green we don't like green round here.....
Seriously two things.
1. People in this part of the world do not use Americanism like person of colour. Plus why pigeon hole yourself straight away?
2. Don't post links to your personal details on a site like this. You will get a lot of unwanted attention and offers.....
As for PR jobs the locals like to fill them (a lot of them are colourful too....) but why don't you research some companies on the net and apply