Well, the holy month of Ramadan began a little over a week ago and that means shorter working hours for most, no wine with my meals out, shops that are only open in the evenings and empty roads making my morning commute so much easier. I like Qatar during Ramadan because everything is quieter and I seem to get more work done, especially those pesky little projects that I keep putting off.
At work, I am finishing up one last collaboration and then that will be it from me…..for good. Dear readers I have some news, I will be leaving Qatar, permanently, at the end of August.
To make a long story short (and because I legally cannot go into details) my company is restructuring and I was made redundant. From this I have made the decision to not look for alternative work in Qatar but to call it a day instead and move back to the UK.
I stand by this decision and I am very much looking forward to the transition back to my life in London.
To sum up my time in Qatar in one blog post would not be fair so I’m not going to do that, nor will I get too sentimental here. The last 2 year and 4 months has been a crazy ride but I don’t regret making the decision to move here one bit. Hypothetically speaking and knowing what I know now, would I do it again? That’s difficult to say. Would I rule out a possible move back to Qatar in the future? Well, never say never….
Anyway, if you’ve been lurking and have a burning question that you’ve been dying to ask, get it off your chest now or forever hold your peace. My last day at work will be the 16th August and I will try to write at least one more post before I leave (the repatriation process maybe?) but I can’t promise too much as I’ve got lots to wrap up before I go, furniture to sell, shoes to pack, contracts to cancel and several good byes to say.
I have very much enjoyed writing this blog and sharing my (ahem) wisdom over the past year, I hope you have enjoyed reading it. I like to think that I ‘ve answered some really important questions that you only find out once you’ve lived here for a while and I’m happy to have been able to share that with you. I hope I’ve helped some people find out more information about Qatar.
As of yet, I do not have a job in the UK so after over a year of fielding questions about working in Qatar and helping you guys out, I’m going to ask you a small favour; if you like what you’ve read here and know of anyone hiring or looking for a microbiologist/biochemist/molecular biologist with managerial and/or journalistic tendencies then by all means, let’s get in touch.
Hi Alexandria,
Just found your blog (as your about to leave!). But quick question, I am coming out to chat to these people http://www.qcardio.org are they well respected? actually this thursday for 4 days. Re your return to London there are probably a few leads on the IC jobsite, and of course a number of spinouts that are all ways looking for people, I can give a link to one that you could check out.
best regards
Ray
Hi Ray,
Yes, I have heard of the QCRC and they are well respected. I think that they are in the process of setting up their space in Qatar so they have not done any work/have results as of yet. Good luck with your meeting with them, hope everything goes well.
And any links that you’d like to send my way are very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Alexandria
I too have only just found your blog as you’re leaving. My husband is considering an option to work with Hamad Medical via an agency based in Qatar. As its a short contract (approx 12 months) he will be going on his own, accommodation provided. Is there anything in particular we can do to ‘settle him in’. It will be the first time he is setting up home on his own. If the contract extends and I join him what are the chances of me finding work? I hold a middle business management position in the UK. Also, any information on Hamad as an employer would be helpful.
Thank You.
If accommodation is provided then that’s one big stress that your husband won’t have to worry about and settling in should go relatively smoothly.
Hamad medical Corp is the largest hospital in Qatar and its facilities are modern and well equiped. I cannot comment personally on what type of an employer they are but I think that they must be doing something right. I don’t think you should have too much trouble finding a job in Qatar although it will probably be much easier to search if you are actually in the country…which may or may not be a possibility for you.
Good luck,
A.
Thank you – I appreciate you taking the time to reply.
Oh my and i just read your post..;( I wish you luck and thank you for taking time in answering my queries.
Appreciate it big time.
Hi Alexandria!
I’m a bhms doctor practising since 2yrs in India. within 6mnths I wud be moving to Qatar along with my husband as homeopathy is banned in qatar would like to know what job I can do in Qatar.is nutrition course done in India would be allowed in Qatar.can u suggest any course in India i can do so I get a job over there.
Thank you.
I don’t know what job you can do in Qatar, what do you like doing? It may be possible to get a job as a nutritionist in a hospital, for instance but I would have a look at various hospital websites to see what jobs they have on offer and what the requirements are.
Good luck,
A.
Hi Connecticut girl. I have just found out you were far away from CMMI, just to see that you are coming back to UK, funny hey (Texan accent). I whish you good luck to rainy London hahaha !
The French guy.
Bonjour Monsieur French guy, so lovely to hear from you!
Yes, I was indeed far from the CMMI here, but am now back in a grey (but sometimes sunny) London.
I hope all is well with you, thanks for the well wishes and for leaving a comment.
A.
Hi,
Do you mind me asking what is the legal situation where you have been layed off in Qatar, but have handed over 24 cheques to a landlord to cover a 2 year lease?
Many thanks in advance if you have any advice
Hmmm, not really sure on this one but I am almost certain that it is no longer legal to ask/provide postdated cheques.
Many people don’t know about this and many landlords still ask for them but I am pretty sure that you can refuse to hand them over. If you are in Qatar, I would check with your bank on that one.
Either way, if you have signed a lease agreement contract then you would still be required to pay your rent regardless if you have a job or not; this is pretty standard of all rental agreements.
A.
Hii Alexandria,,
MY name is Digil K A… I am a post graduate in Telecommunication Engineering from London… I am planning to move to Qatar as my cousin is working there in qatar airways… as you are an experience person in Doha… can you please tell me about the job market structure of Doha
Regrads
Digil
Hi Alexandria
Hope you are well
Just wondering if you could help please
Can I apply for IT job in Qatar while currently present in the UK if so will you be able to advise me the best way to do.
Many Thanks and Regards
Shahzad
Yes, my ‘How to find a job in Qatar’ post, which I think you’re found.
A.
Please ignore my previous reply as I got the answer of my question from your other blog.
Many thanks for helping everyone
Regards
Shahzad
No problem.
A.