I am moving back to the UK from the UAE after a 7 year stint. What advice do you have?

After 7 years abroad, returning to the UK job market can feel very different to how you left, especially in Hospitality & Real Estate, where trends, players, and the market isn’t the same as it is in the Gulf and the salaries differ massively.

Here’s our advice:

▪️ Update your CV and LinkedIn: Highlight your overseas experience clearly and show how it translates into value for UK employers (e.g., exposure to large-scale masterplans or fast-paced delivery models). Add the details of your projects and achievements. See our Guides, Templates & Posts on these topics to help.

▪️ Reconnect with your network: Reach out to former colleagues, industry contacts, and recruiters who understand both UK and international markets.

▪️ Be open minded: Salaries are marked lower, you will likely take a hit on your first role back in the UK. Best to save some pennies before you repatriate.

▪️ Research the current market: Sector hotspots, hiring trends, and salary bands. For example, UK real estate hiring is currently strongest in logistics, regeneration, and mixed-use development.

▪️ Be ready for cultural re-onboarding: The pace, decision-making style, the size of the projets and regulatory environment in the UK will differ from what you’ve become used to.

Coming back with international experience is a huge asset, but you’ll need to position it right.