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***Work in progress post***
Some Things you should know before you apply stateside:
If you want to work for an American Contractor in Kuwait that requires you to have a NACI or Secret Clearance (most do) you should have a clean background from bad credit, excessive debt or criminal activity. This includes not paying child support. You should have a US Driver’s license and a good driving record. Kuwait now requires all US Citizens to obtain a Police Clearance before even coming to Kuwait.
You should also be in good health and free from any medical conditions or disease that could prevent you from passing your mandatory employment physical or Kuwait residency physical. DOD health and fitness guidelines are followed now more than ever. Kuwait’s medical is no joke and if you do not pass then it’s chicken or fish on your flight back home.
The process of obtaining a Police Clearance, stateside medical, CRC and a Kuwait visa can take months. NEVER quit your current job until you have passed everything and receive your ticket in hand. The old school American’s that work in Kuwait know that you take leave to do the medical, etc. for the new company that sent you an offer letter. You wait to pass EVERYTHING before you put in your notice with your current company.
NEVER burn a bridge with your current company if you can help it. Give notice, do a good job and leave with pride no matter how much you dislike them. You never know when you might run into them again down the road. Contracts change hands in Kuwait and that same company might take over your new company’s contract. You always want to leave in good standing so they will want to hire you back.
It’s who you know…right? The more connections you have the better. That’s just the way it works so suck it up and deal with it. Network your ass off! Go on Facebook and see if you know anyone that is already working in Kuwait or knows someone who does. Join clubs and associations that will enable you to meet others with connections or similar interests. This doesn’t mean you can’t work hard and keep sending in your resume everyday to land that interview.
There are job fairs announced in newspapers or company websites weekly. You should have job alerts going to your email everyday and pay close attention to the news and media. Many US Contractors get their foot in the door by working hard with blood, sweat and tears. I’m all for a combination of both hard work and great connections.
The best way to land that job in Kuwait when you are stateside:
You should create a profile on every job website that is in Kuwait. Apply daily to all the jobs that you are qualified for in your emailed alerts, on websites and referrals.
***Readers, please comment and add any advice, websites, recruiters info, etc. that might help others. This post is a work in progress and I will add more soon when I have time. Thank you!***
Visa requirements for Kuwait are a real pain in the butt. there is a company called CIBT that has global locations that will assist with police clearances and authentications. Because just obtaining the police clearance and gathering your diplomas (you must have them too) isn't enough: they have to be authenticated at the Embassy of Kuwait and the Department of State. CIBT has been very helpful to my current and last employers in assisting our new employees. Their website is www.cibt.com. Married employees should also bring their marriage certificates as it makes finding housing easier.
ReplyDeleteAs far as leads for potential employers: the Kuwait Top List is a good resource. It lists contacts and large Kuwaiti companies. You can also network on LinkedIn.com.
Thank you for this post! I would think that to hire locally would be advantageous for these companies because some people already have housing in place, have their own vehicles and maybe don't need tickets home to the US. There are many jobs in Kuwait that a Job Placement Office for Americans could network for jobs where Americans would be needed that could involve jobs in American schools, on the US bases, and with American franchises. The last population figure that I read was 30,000, not sure if this is current, but if someone that is networked opened a job placement business for Americans, this would be a nice little company for someone. It would have to be someone who understands all the laws, like Desert Girl above. People are busy and live in boxes in Kuwait and to have someone that could network for you, well that would be utilizing American orgainzational skills, and that is what I miss most in Kuwait. I don't understand why everything has to be disorganized, bridge US labor laws and not function as a US company would in the United States. The British, although they are born colonists, are mainly responsible for the developing of Dubai. This is one country that from rock-bottom badly needs foreign expertise. I am saying that there are qualified hard-working Americans in this market that needs an office like this in Kuwait to seek job opportunities for them that explain all these governmental rules, that will negotiate directly with these companies. These websites are a joke, people need a person to network the country for them and people are willing to pay just like back home.
ReplyDeleteOne of the challenges many companies face by hiring Americans who are already here is their visa. If they are on a visit visa hiring them is a pain. If they have a transferrable visa 18 it makes it much easier. Buuuut, you can't transfer from one US company to another without...
Delete...the dreaded 'processing' which must take place in the US. CRC for example. Then each company has their own in-processing before deployment as well.
Transferring your visa 18 from a US contractor to a local Kuwait company is a bit easier. But to get one of those jobs requires knowing someone who knows someone and it still comes with challenges. Like the police certificate and attested certificates (as DG mentioned). Either requires a trip back to the states or a knowledgable family member back home. Also, though hiring an American would seem like a desirable option, we're also far more costly.
Many of the local companies rely on employment agencies in Kuwait to do their recruitment so that's always a good place to start. And LinkedIn (again, as DG mentioned). I literally spend hours a day hunting down candidates on LinkedIn -- even those who might not currently be seeking employment.
Finally, if you're really desperate, you can always attach your CV and cover letter to an email and send to 'careers@XXXX' (name of the company) and hope they use that email address for recruitment.
If anyone is interested in teaching, I used http://seriousteachers.com/. They did not charge a fee and it was quite easy to use. I received several job offers within a month from using their site.
ReplyDeleteI agree with EC (Expat and the City), that it is best to get all the degrees and medical testing done first. This was the most time consuming part. A list of the needed medical tests can be found on the consulate page of http://www.kuwaitembassy.us/ (remember to also submit the actual test results and not just a health certificate stating you are clear of all those diseases). If you are getting your diploma authenticated, you have to get it notarized/certified at all the following levels: your university, the county of your university, the state you live in, the Secretary of State of the USA, and then finally it goes to the Embassy of Kuwait. You also must submit a sealed copy of your transcript and a verification form from studentclearinghouse.org. As far as your police clearance, do not not obtain it until AFTER your NOC has been issued from Kuwait. All of these steps cost money (which I was told I would be reimbursed for in Kuwait) so make sure you have money set aside.
Of course you could pay someone to help with all these steps, but as long as you are willing to do a little paperwork and are detailed oriented, you can do it all yourself.
Great advice everyone! THANK YOU! You just did my job for me on adding more to the post. AG and DG are really the most knowledgeable on this subject. My experience is from working here but they really know and understand the Kuwaiti Labor Law.
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