Jordan is enjoying a rapidly-growing economy. The services sector makes the largest contributes to domestic income, while industry, agriculture and tourism follow. Other industries include telecommunications, fertilizers, clothing, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining and light manufacturing.
Jobs in general are not easy to come by in Jordan; most expatriates in the country either work for international organizations like UN, UNCHR and Embassies or they teach. Some places where work can be found with an effort include marketing, finance, media, and non-profit organizations. Working knowledge of Arabic will definitely be an advantage in such positions. However, be warned that the average wage in Jordan is low compared to the cost of living.
The limited numbers of foreigners employed in Jordan are usually on contract with multi-national and international organizations. Compensation in such places usually tends to be better and usually only English is sufficient to get by. International financial organizations like HSBC and Deloitte have a big representation in Jordan and foreign workers stand a better chance at acquiring jobs here. Searching through some of the largest recruitment websites will inform you of the positions available. Personal contacts play a significant role in Jordanian way of life so make use of any contact you may have, and remember to follow up on applications with phone calls. This will also provide you with an opportunity to impress your potential employers with your outstanding English skills. Employment with a large organization has the benefit of the employer obtaining your work permit. Bureaucracy in Jordan can be tricky, especially if your Arabic is limited.
Jordan tourism industry is thriving and the demand for English is high. It also has many English schools which are always in need of teachers. So if you are already in the country and looking for a way to earn your keep, then applying to one of these schools is usually an easier way to land a job. While it is better to secure a position at one of the more established schools, going door to door with C.V in hand will also do the trick at the smaller institutions. Naturally the pay will be less here.
Another way to enter the labour market in Jordan is by seeking unpaid internships and work experiences. Many of the larger organizations provide the more intellectual graduates with such opportunities, and with some hard work, such internships may even turn into full time jobs. One final note to keep in mind is that opportunities for work outside the capital are very limited, to the point of nonexistent, for foreign nationals.
