14 Comments
 

Nearly impossible, don't do it. If you wanna move to London PE, especially UMM/MF, start out in London. Dubai is still viewed as second-tier compared to London, and you'll be up against a ton of top talent with London experience, which is what PE funds look for.

 
Most Helpful

I worked in Dubai and know people at all firms.

Don't come to Dubai as your first job. Even if it is with a good firm - unless you have an explicit agreement that you can move internally to a London office, you will find it incredibly difficult to transition to a London based PE role for many reasons which make perfect sense, most importantly market coverage and the fact that they have a HUGE pool of talent with European deal experience to pick from. 

Dubai experience is also sadly discounted somewhat by London/NYC, even at top firms. It really only makes sense if you are a consultant or in a very particular role (e.g., you work at a US/Euro PE shop or HF and are based there - increasingly common).

There is very little risk in doing an internship imo, and getting a good name on the CV. Should help you secure a FT gig in London at a BB/EB, which should be your goal.

 
Pepper Jack

I worked in Dubai and know people at all firms.

Don't come to Dubai as your first job. Even if it is with a good firm - unless you have an explicit agreement that you can move internally to a London office, you will find it incredibly difficult to transition to a London based PE role for many reasons which make perfect sense, most importantly market coverage and the fact that they have a HUGE pool of talent with European deal experience to pick from. 

Dubai experience is also sadly discounted somewhat by London/NYC, even at top firms. It really only makes sense if you are a consultant or in a very particular role (e.g., you work at a US/Euro PE shop or HF and are based there - increasingly common).

There is very little risk in doing an internship imo, and getting a good name on the CV. Should help you secure a FT gig in London at a BB/EB, which should be your goal.

Interesting take; agree with you. Think still worth to do the internship 

 

Hello Jack, thanks for your enlightening response! Do you think ESSEC ESCP EDHEC are all targets there and is it necessary to speak Arabic? Much appreciated

 

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