JEDDAH, 10 June 2003 — Global issues have impacted the service industry in the Kingdom as adversely as elsewhere in the Gulf, according to an international career management expert.
“The Sept. 11 events, the Iraq war, the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Riyadh bombings have all had their impact on the service industry,” David Thatcher, Bernard Haldane Associates’ Middle East managing director, told Arab News from Dubai.
“We’ve been receiving inquiries from many expats from the Kingdom after we opened our first Middle East office in Dubai just over a year ago. Generally, there is a feeling of uncertainty. Many people are expressing concern about the longevity of their contracts, others are concerned about personal and family safety, and there is a multitude of reasons why people seek career management assistance,” he said.
According to Thatcher, professional people take stock of their careers and consider changes for a variety of reasons. Some reach the end of their contract and decide to examine all options open to them, including the possibility of renewing their present contract, or moving to a different region. Others opt to return home due to family commitments, or because they are wary of losing touch with career opportunities in their home countries.
Asked what advice would he give to expats who have been planning to end their careers here but are unable to make a decision, he said: “Whatever the prevailing economic and political climate, they should follow a set of basic guidelines; they should study the market and the relevant industry sector and make full use of networking to build up market intelligence.”
Professional help is invaluable. “If you were opening an office within a new market you’d consult a legal adviser to ensure that you complied with local legislation, and if you were looking to invest some of your earnings you’d speak to a financial adviser. Career management is an equally specialist subject, and individuals considering a change of job should seek professional assistance to enable them to identify the best career opportunities,” he said.
