How important is it to be bilingual (proficient in Arabic and English) in order to find work in media and communication sector in the GCC countries?

It is very very important all the time specially when you are in GCC region.

I've been working in the Media Business in the UAE for the last5 years and have worked on a lot of Arabic campaigns without knowing Arabic "AT ALL"

So i can say that it is not mandatory to know Arabic to get a job or to get a job done. But yes, knowing the language sure has the following advantages:

1. Your client portfolio increases

2. Locals appreciate the effort and reward it with more work

3. You end up getting more work - faster

4. You do not have to depend on another to get your work started or to translate a brief or campaign

5. You get hired faster

6. You get promoted faster

7. You now know one more language!!!

:)

Regardless being an English/Arabic bilingual and what it might benefit you in the GCC, learning a second foreign language is always an asset especially if your job requires lots of traveling. I noticed in so many job advertisements in the GCC job portals the requirement of English French, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese or Russian and adding that the knowledge of Arabic is an asset but not a requirement.

It’s nothing but natural to try and learn the language of the country you work/live in and truly attempt to understand its culture and pick up a lot of their customs to stand out less, it also spare you the frustration over the language barrier.

A second language always benefit you in one way or another

أتقن اللغة العربية والإنكليزية مستوى عال جداً  وقليل من التركية مع عشرات الشهادات والخبرات المهنية والدراسية

لا علاقة لهذا بمعايير التوظيف في الخليج .. لديهم معاير خاصة بهم 

لن يوظفو السوريين

يفضل توظيف الإناث

يفضل توظيف حملة الجنسية اللبنانية

وهذا كل مافي الأمر !

Important as in GCC countries the press and the communication business use both English and Arabic. Nonethless, from my point of view, being bilingual should not be compulsory as far as you are good at what you do. I wonder if there are westerners in the GCC's media agencies and whether they have to be proficient in Arabic.