Thinking about building a career in Dubai? Wondering what it really takes to succeed – and whether real estate is the opportunity everyone says it is?
In this episode, I sat down with Kam Hutchinson, Recruitment Director at Allsopp & Allsopp, who's spent nearly 10 years building a career and life in Dubai. No sugar-coating – just honest insights about careers, real estate, and what it actually takes to thrive here.
Kam's Journey: From UK Estate Agent to Dubai
Kam didn't plan to move to Dubai. He was working as an estate agent in the UK, feeling like life was heading toward "pretty average." He joined Allsopp & Allsopp's UK office, and a year later, they told him the recruitment team was moving to Dubai.
"They were like, 'Yes, you are moving to Dubai.' I was very lucky to have a supportive wife who said, 'Yeah, okay, let's do it.'"
Nearly 10 years later, he's still here.
What Makes Dubai Different
Everything Is Possible
In a city that's only existed for 53-54 years, there's a mentality that anything can be done:
"If you need to buy something or go somewhere or get medical attention – anything is possible. In the UK, it's 'Oh, you just missed, we're closed' or 'You'll have to wait till Monday' or 'It's a bank holiday.'"
The Peace
An interesting word Kam used to describe Dubai: peace.
"There isn't this bubbling under the surface that at any minute something's going to snap. There is just this general peace of 'mate, are you okay? Yeah, cool. The sun's shining. Nobody's died. Chill out.'"
The Diversity
Kam's friend group spans India, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales. In the UK, his friends were English because they went to school together. Here, you step out of that ecosystem and discover a bigger world.
Career Advice: The Reality Check
The Big Packages Are Gone
If you're expecting the relocation packages of 10 years ago – flights paid, top-level medical for the whole family, relocation budgets – adjust your expectations.
"Companies don't need to anymore. The world has woken up to Dubai. If you want to make the move, you're going to make it."
Check Your Attitude at the Door
Kam's first piece of advice might upset some people:
"If you have a chip on your shoulder and you're coming to Dubai to change the world or reinvent Dubai – everyone look at me, what can you do for me? – don't."
The question isn't what Dubai can do for you. It's what you can contribute. Slot yourself into something rather than expecting huge money just to show up.
Come with a Purpose
"I want the weather" or "I'm sick of the UK" is soulless. Come with a purpose:
- In 5 years, I want to exit or start my own business
- I want to pay off my credit card debts
- I want to pay off my mortgage
- I want to build a network in a specific industry
Dubai rewards people with clear missions.
You Need to Be Here
One company last year had 5,000 applications for one job. How do they filter?
"Who's in Dubai? Who's here now? Who can make the move? More often than not, I'm going to choose the person on the ground."
You don't have to be here to get a job, but being here sets you apart. Human connection matters more in Dubai than almost anywhere else.
Salary Expectations: UK vs Dubai
Will you earn more? Yes. But context matters.
"People tell me they're earning 100K in the UK. I'm like, 'So you earn 50?' By the time you've paid tax and national insurance, and you're probably living in London in a shoebox..."
In Dubai:
- No income tax (but other taxes on food, alcohol, hospitality)
- Accommodation can be cheaper pound-for-pound than UK equivalent
- If you're savvy and don't "keep up with the Joneses," you can significantly reduce outgoings
Pro tip: Don't think you have to live on the Palm or Downtown from day one. Start further out and work your way toward where you want to be.
The Service Culture
Something unique to Dubai: pride in service at every level.
"I walked into a Starbucks in London after being here for four months. Where's my smile? Where's my love heart in the cup? Where's my conversation? Take me back home to Dubai."
This extends to every industry. If you're in a service business, the bar is high – but customers appreciate it and pay for it.
Real Estate: The Deep Dive
You Don't Need Experience
Kam's famous quote:
"You don't need real estate experience. You just need a winner's mindset."
He takes it further: you don't need any sales experience.
The Charlie King Story
Charlie King heads up Allsopp & Allsopp's Private Office (luxury sector). Before Dubai? He was a plumber.
No sales experience. No real estate experience. Now one of the most successful agents in the company with a black book that's "valuable beyond belief."
"We didn't hire him because he had real estate experience. We hired him because he had that mindset: I'm going to win."
Who Does Well?
- Tradespeople – They understand follow-through and service
- Sports people – They know what it feels like to lose, evaluate, and go again
- Anyone with the "winner's mindset" – Resilience, drive, ability to handle rejection
What Makes a Good Agent?
The Plumber Analogy
Think about a great plumber:
- Turns up on time
- Friendly, professional
- Doesn't have muddy shoes
- Does the job properly
- Washes up their mug from the tea you made them
- Leaves your home as if nothing ever happened
You'd recommend them. You'd use them again.
Same in real estate:
- Turn up at the time you said
- Have the right keys and knowledge
- Have 2-3 backup options ready
- Ask the right questions
- Be professional, polite
- Play with the kids, pet the dog, compliment the wife
People buy if they want to buy. You're not forcing anyone. The natural close is being professional, giving good advice, and being a nice person.
The Ingredients
- Personality – Have some conversation, be enthusiastic
- Presentation – Look good, feel good, clean teeth
- Knowledge – Know your area inside out (be a specialist)
- Excitement – Even if you're having a terrible day, find the smile
- Follow-through – Do what you said you were going to do
The Numbers
Commission Structure
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Buyer fee | 2% of purchase price |
| Seller fee | Often 2% as well |
| Agent split | 50% to the agent |
On a 3.5 million AED property (entry level), that's 70,000 AED commission to the agent per sale. On higher-end properties, it's significantly more.
Compare to UK: when Kam started 16 years ago, agents charged 2-2.5%. When he left 10 years ago, it was down to 0.8-1%. Race to the bottom.
Success Rate
Here's the honest truth:
"60% of people are successful in real estate. 40% are not. That's nearly half."
Everyone has the same tools, same training, same 24 hours. The difference? Looking in the mirror when things go wrong instead of blaming Dubai, clients, the company.
Stock Generation: The Work Behind the Scenes
A car showroom with no cars on the forecourt? You're not stopping.
Same with real estate. You need listings – good quality, good price, attractive. That comes from:
- Speaking to clients from the database
- Getting out and networking
- Having conversations and asking the question
The Dating Analogy
"How many times do people go, 'Oh no, I won't ask her.' No. Grab your balls and ask. She's either going to say yes or no."
In real estate: "Hi, are you wanting to rent your property out? You're not. Why? Let me try to overcome the objections."
If you can handle getting told to get lost 20, 50, 100 times a day for that one call that spins into something... you can build something special.
The Market: Is It Saturated?
Kam's reframe: There are a lot of agents. Are they all good? No.
"If you're operating amongst the top, then you will be fine. Forget everybody else."
On the property market itself: expect a small adjustment, but not a crash. Dubai has put safeguards in place since 2008. Development is everywhere because confidence is high.
Final Thoughts from Kam
"If you've got an itch, you need to scratch it. What's the worst that could happen? You come, you really give it a good go, you assign yourself a plan and some money, and you invest in yourself. If you're as good as you think you are, you'll make it happen."
Life is short. The UK offers a "fairly average life" (his words, not mine). It's not until you break that mold that you realize there's more.
"The sad thing is, when you get comfortable at this level, another door opens and goes, 'Hey, do you want to be uncomfortable again?' Next level. Next level. Next level."
Getting comfortable being uncomfortable. That's the game.
Connect with Kam
- Instagram: @recruitercam
- LinkedIn: Follow (he's hit his connection limit!)
- Allsopp & Allsopp website: For career opportunities
If you're genuinely interested in moving to Dubai, reach out. If you've got a chip on your shoulder about how Dubai should adapt to you... kindly don't.
Thinking about making the move? Take my neighbourhood quiz to find the right area for your family, or check out the relocation package if you want hands-on help navigating the process.
Part 2 with Kam coming soon. 🎙️