This post is for the lovely ladies out there, sometimes referred to as “Expat Wives”, who have been struggling to find employment in Muscat. Know that you are not alone and I am in the same boat. Know that there is a chance of you finding a job here.

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Due to the limited number of positions available and the recent focus on Omanisation, it has become very difficult to find a job in Muscat, especially when you start off on a Resident Visa under the sponsorship of your husband’s workplace. Before CB was born I had tried to find a job here for a long time. And I had tried and tried and tried.

I applied for hundreds of different positions, including speculative applications as well as responses to ads (on company websites, OLX, Indeed, you name it). I tried outside of my field of study; all sorts of positions. I tried embassies (most recruitment there seems to be internal) and administrative positions in schools. There is more scope if you have a teaching degree plus experience, as this is said to increase your chances of obtaining a job, but unfortunately I was not in the teaching profession back then. I attempted to apply for sales/retail positions but despite having years of experience in retail, I could not even move forward with online applications because I did not fulfil the requirement of holding Omani citizenship. I applied for hotel receptionist positions for which I completed a diploma online. I asked to work shadow and volunteer at companies as well as universities. I even looked into working from home in Oman for companies in my home country. I put in as much effort as I could, within my capacity.

I knew the job market was tough everywhere, but this was on a whole other level. I hardly received responses and when I did it was not good news. It was really mentally exhausting for me. Friends and family back home often asked me why it was so difficult especially due to my passport/citizenship and the fact that I could speak English, but honestly those things seemed to make no difference. I felt really sad all the time. It didn’t help that it seemed to me nobody quite understood my situation or the way I felt. I wanted to be independent, to earn, to support my family and to follow through on the career aspirations I had always had. I was losing time not getting anywhere while all my friends and peers back home were progressing in their graduate careers.

I started questioning my career and life choices, doubted my self-worth and entered an unhealthy downward spiral…In the end I decided to pause the search and focus on having a baby instead. CB came into my life, and became my life – I was much happier.

A while back, a lady asked for suggestions on a social media group on how to look for a job in Muscat, and me being me, I felt the need to share some of my sob story to shed a realistic perspective on the matter. I knew a lot of people must have scoffed at my essay, but I also knew that there are plenty of ladies out there who have had a very similar struggle and can really relate to how near-impossible it could be to find a job here.

That was then…but for the past year whilst resuming my search for employment I have realised I may have been wrong in thinking it is “near-impossible”. This is because the more people I meet, the more I realise that actually, there are many “Expat Wives” out there who do work. They come from a mix of backgrounds so this is not necessarily due to experience level or a particular profession. It is possible to find employment here.

Recently, I came the closest I have ever come to securing a job here – I was invited to attend an interview for a school administration position. I was elated to receive this opportunity but a week after the interview I found out I did not make the cut and received a rejection email. It was good to finally get some interview experience but months later I still lie awake at night fretting over how I could have performed better in the interview and how I may have lost my only chance.

But let’s not make this post about my failures. Let’s instead learn from my experience and make this post a positive one, about you finding your path to success.

Here are some points to consider when looking for a job here:

• Websites you can find job posts on include: OLX, Indeed, Gulf Talent, Bayt, Laimoon and LinkedIn. You should also regularly check vacancy web pages on company websites.
• Statistically, and to state the obvious, the more applications you make the more of a chance you have of finding a job.
• Broaden your search and look outside your field of studies – think about how else you can apply your skill set.
• Create an online presence for yourself on professional platforms – examples include making a LinkedIn profile and [if you are in a creative industry] an online portfolio on websites such as Behance.
• Don’t waffle on in your cover letters and tell the hiring team exactly what they want to hear. Follow the job descriptions and person specifications to guide you to write relevant points.
• Use your spare time to learn how to use new software, new languages and other skills that will make you more employable.
• Keep your CV active by volunteering for good causes. Organisations which offer volunteering opportunities in Muscat include Dar Al Atta’a, Environment Society of Oman (ESO), Muscat Mums, Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO), Omani Paws and Al Mouj (Muscat Marathon).
• If it interests you, start blogging, create a website and brand identity and manage social media channels, as I have attempted to do so. However, be aware that to be successful in the blogosphere you will need to be very dedicated and put in a lot of time and effort. On future applications, you can use this experience to demonstrate your skills, initiative and self-motivation.
• If you have the right skills, consider freelancing over the internet on websites such as Upwork.
• Consider applying for remote positions in your home country.
• During interviews express genuine commitment to the role. Emphasise that you can arrange and manage full-time childcare if necessary. I’m sorry to say this, but if the decision is between you and someone without the extra responsibility of a child, it is likely the position will go to the other candidate.
• Ask around in your local community and amongst friends for help in finding a job. There is no shame in doing this and this is how most people find jobs in any country, in my opinion. It’s all about networking; knowing the right people and having the right connections.
• Consider retraining in Muscat or completing a distance-learning course online. I know of two courses offered in Muscat: The CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) course at the British Council and Polyglot Institute, and ECMD (Early Childhood Montessori Diploma) course at Montessori Oman. These courses can be expensive, so you need to consider if they will increase your chances of finding employment before making an investment. It may be worth talking to course operators or people who have already taken these courses to gain a proper insight.
• Jobs in schools, whether in teaching or administration, usually require you to have some sort of teaching degree, as this makes it more likely that your work visa will be processed by the government successfully.
• Consider going back to your home country to retrain. I have a friend who went back to the UK to complete a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) course and since doing so she has successfully secured a teaching job here in Muscat. Keep in mind this is a big family decision as it will involve a lot of travel and/or time spent apart.
• Keep in touch with your previous employers/supervisors as there may be a long gap of unemployment and you will want them to remember you when you use them as referees.
• Be aware of work visa rules and requirements. You will need to leave the country and return again (what is known as a “visa run”) for a new work visa to come into effect. Also, an NOC (No Objection Certificate) may be needed from employers or sponsor companies if you decide to leave your job or switch jobs in the future.
• Advice others have given me when things have not worked out: If it does not work out then it is not meant to be and there may be bigger and better plans out there for you. You just have to wait for the right opportunity to come along.
• If you are a mother: Above all, count your blessings, be grateful and realise that you already have the most rewarding and meaningful full-time job around.

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I have recently started a distance learning course and hope to begin a career in teaching. Teaching is something I have always wanted to go into but I did not make such great career decisions early on and so I assumed I had missed my chance in life. Now I know better and I know that I can still do something about it! But first I have to focus on striking the right balance between mum life and student life…

Please get in touch if you would like to share your experience on any of the above topics or if you would simply like to offer me a job (no harm in trying!).

In all seriousness, I hope my advice has been useful
and I wish you all the best for your job search.