Most of what Pleasant and others said is correct. It's really interesting, coming and working here in the UAE.
So by the numbers;
1) Your CV, LinkedIn and your presence on websites like Bayt.com, GulfNewsJobs, GNAds4U, Monster, NaukriGulf etc... all those atrum patrum sites is important.
2) Be here if you want a job. You can do that profiling stuff beforehand but in the end, YOU HAVE TO BE HERE. I, like a few other friends of mine, burned all my ships to come here. I gathered the money, and just set sail, and honestly, it was a huge risk cuz if things had gone wrong, I would've been JOBLESS, BACK HOME, and a FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND RUPEES SHORT. Luckily, Allah paid great heed to my motivation. I urge the same level for yours. We here about people applying or trying to apply, or approaching hiring companies in PK who head-hunt for these Gulf firms, but been there, done that too. A company wasted my 1.5 years and held on to my money also while apparently getting me a job in Oman for a mere 400 O Riyal. Truth is, a miracle, and only a miracle could get you hired in the Emirates while not actually being here. All my friends here (and to be honest, more than 15 that I can count had to 'escape' to come here, and eventually got something or the other). Some of my friends actually DID come here, some like TWICE, and sadly, still left empty. I do feel sad for them but I can't quite say what they did wrong. Maybe, just MAYBE they didn't stroll the hot roads here under the sun enough. So well, long story short, BE HERE. Skype? I don't really think so.
3) Existing Experience Take-away? Money Money Money? All for shit. The thing is, when you come here, your previous experience and runway glamour hardly blings. Everyone will ask you how much GCC experience you have, and when you tell them... shit... they tell you... bullshit. Though it does add value, but Non-GCC experience hardly moves heads here. 90% people (including yours truly) who have landed here have started fresh, having patience not to reflect too much on the past, and just look into the future. Slowly and gradually, if you stay here, you'll progress. And I believe much better and faster than PK. I worked almost 6 years there. Cappashittino. To be honest, if you're a bachelor still, and you find a job between 5k-8k AED, just shut up and work. You can't really come here thinking of 10k+ AED, cuz it's not like that when you come here. People I know who've been living here all their lives are sometimes looking for work, so just don't be disappointed and be prepared. You're not alone. And if you do get something 10k+, honestly, you've done very well. I mean you could. But it's one in a 100, or more a chance. Yeah, as someone already said, 15k is something you'd wanna be at if you're a loving husband and proud father.
4) References. Very, VERY important. Even though a couple of my own family members didn't help me much, references can get you somewhere. Honestly, your CV here is less important than references, so this is a major game-changer. Having a CV is obviously important, but I've seen interviews PRECEDE CV submission in my life. References always count the world over, and Dubai is no different. Plus, remember.. you're a Pakistani, which unfortunately, an apparent obstacle here. These Arabs hire Eurpoeans/Americans/Japs with their eyes-closed and mouths open, they hire Indians/Filipinos with their eyes open and pockets-closed. They hire other Arabs because, well, they're still Arabs. Nowadays they've started hiring lots of their own, and when it's about Emiratis, no one stands a chance, thanks to Emiratization. This leaves us. So, you have relatives or friends here, suck 'em dry. Let go of your ego. Just lick ____ if you have to, but it just... might... get you a j o b. So don't hesitate. Quite many people have these miracle working acquaintances which may do them wonders. Look for yours.
5) ????
A bit of lying and getting stuff done: No one, and I repeat, NO ONE is going to backtrack your PK experience (unless it's some Pakistani Banks here, or similar co who can contact their Pakistani counterparts). So to look good, you can add some bling to your CV. Keep it complete, improve designations and stuff, and show some brands. I know, you'd be thinking I'm being unethical, but it's ok. Everyone lies. Having 'worked' for leading MNCs in Pakistan might just get you a better impression.
6) A lot of risk, but worth a try: So well, no one's going to hand you an Dubai Job offer letter rolled in red ribbon while your having paratha roll at Karachi Darbar. It's not an easy feat for most, and it's risky business. But most people get through. Come here, gather money for your Dubai Trip, walk the streets, apply online, GO FOR WALK-IN INTERVIEWS (Important) and hope for the best. Just be prepared. That's what I did... I think. And the best season to be here is from November to February. Emiratis chill a bit during December. And the rest of the year it's hot, and not exactly hiring season. So there.
If you miss home, which you will, don't come to me. This place is expensive, yahan kharchay zaida hain. I laughingly end up paying around a 1000 AED towards my phones each month, and around 400 AED is one vehilce's monthly parking (mandatory). But relax, this is only to give you some perspective. Pakistan is still cheap - just a lot powerless and quite lawless. Phir bhi dil hai Pakistani.
Hope this all helps... Baqi naseeb apna apna yaro. All the best.
