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Identifying five Key Types of Expat Professionals in GCC Countries

A move from their home countries has worked handsomely for some expats; while, others lament the high cost of living and the diminishing marginal utility gained from trying to prosper under restrictive labor laws that invite discriminatory practices. Consequently, the justifications to arrive and stay within the GCC region vary widely among the expat professional communities. Let’s review the following 5 key types of expat professionals to gain a better understanding of their goals/objectives/ambitions as they strive to find relevance/congruity within the corporate environment of the GCC countries:

The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Region has steadily become a powerful magnet for talent from across the world due to its reputation for having an attractive propensity for wealth generation and a persistent hunger for progressive development to distinguish itself among the comity of nations. Contributor Murad S. Mirza.

A move from their home countries has worked handsomely for some expats; while, others lament the high cost of living and the diminishing marginal utility gained from trying to prosper under restrictive labor laws that invite discriminatory practices. Consequently, the justifications to arrive and stay within the GCC region vary widely among the expat professional communities. Let’s review the following 5 key types of expat professionals to gain a better understanding of their goals/objectives/ambitions as they strive to find relevance/congruity within the corporate environment of the GCC countries:

The Aspirants
These are generally the junior professionals who are interested in fast-tracking their careers and want to gain the benefits of global exposure in working with various nationalities thronging the corporate corridors within the GCC countries. They are either unable to find suitable employment back home or are unwilling to remain within the confines of ‘familiarity’ that an experience of working in one’s own country provides. They relish the challenge of being able to distinguish themselves in a foreign work environment and are willing to fully engage their skill sets in the respective context.

The Accumulators
These are generally the middle and senior professionals who are opportunistic in their approach to maximizing wealth generation during their stay in the GCC region as their own countries do not provide viable options to increase their economic standing in societal considerations. Consequently, they are highly focused towards gaining higher compensation for rendering professional services and are very willing to switch organisations for better compensation packages from enticing competitors without having any significant remorse of disengaging from current employer who might be providing a better working environment, but, a lesser compensation package.

The Transients
These are generally the middle and senior professionals who view the GCC region as a ‘stepping-stone’ to greener pastures in a prosperous western country, especially, in terms of better utilisation and recognition of their skill sets. They are highly motivated to reach the upper echelons of their professional field and consider the GCC region to be a hub of ‘talent mediocrity’ that is mired in conventional wealth maximisation at the expense of world-class work practices emanating from global thought leadership. They are considered HIPOs (High Potentials) in their organisations for senior leadership positions, however, are often left to languish in stagnant talent pipelines due to current leadership’s unwillingness to pave/yield the way for them.

The Escapees
These are generally the middle and senior professionals who have left their home countries under duress and are willing to put up with any hardships of living and working in the GCC region since their homeland is not hospitable and secure for them. They like to keep a low profile and refrain from social engagements that are beyond their comfort/familiarity level. Their primary focus/concentration is on wealth building and eventual migration to a ‘safe’ country, preferably western, in the hope of permanent settlement. This kind of mixed focus/concentration matches the aforementioned approach of the ‘Accumulators’ initially and subsequently that of the ‘Transients’.

The Retirees
These are generally the accomplished senior professionals from western countries who are at the end of their professional careers or have already retired from an established position outside the GCC region. However, they have been attracted by the lucrative compensation packages and want to secure a ‘comfortable’ retirement. They enjoy the best perks available to expats in their category. Their services can also include grooming the next crop of leaders, especially, in local/regional family-run organisations. The aforementioned profiles have been given to provide a glimpse of the bandwidth pertaining to the expat professional communities in the GCC region. This can also serve as a basic guide for anyone interested in working in the GCC region and/or wishing to learn about the kind of expat professionals contributing within the corporate realm.

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