Just to clarify my experience in Sharm regards working I have observed the following:-
Simply getting a job out here is not that simple. Your best bet is to work for a company in your own country and get a posting here (basically find a company in your own country that works in the area you want) such as tour companies etc.
You can get cash in hand work but usually this is not well paid and you will have long hours and no rights and will be technically illegal. The legal options are to get a work permit (but these are limited and must be sponsored by a company registered in Sharm also you may be expected to pay for this - approx 6000 Le currently) or alternatively set up your own business, not too complicated and from what I hear less expensive than a work permit, but you will need a good solicitor and a business registration is not a permit to work for another company or in other words BE employed! Also this is a kind of sole trader or small/home based business with no employees. To set up a business that employs people is much more expensive and complicated and you will be required to have an Egyptian business partner. You will also be expected to employ Egyptian staff at a ratio of up to 10 - 1 and arrange work permits for any foreign workers.
Diving has always been a major source of foreign employment but this is becoming more and more complicated. You will need sponsorship from a dive centre, proof of a 'high school' education which must be translated into Arabic trips to El Tor and you will probably be expected to pay approx 6000 Le or 600 GBP to your employing company. You will also need to pass a CDWS (Chamber of Diving and Water Sports) exam and pay for a CDWS card - another 100Le. The work permit will probably have to be renewed at least twice a year - the fee is still about 6000Le for the year but involves another trip to El Tor and a one year permit may only last 9 - 12 months depending on your entry visa dates and application dates. Whatever you do dont just move here and expect to get work.
The other alternative you will probably be offered, if female, is to marry an Egyptian. This is up to you and depends on your personal values. But for me work is work and relationships are relationships. I would never sacrifice one for the other or relate the two - and there will probably be 'hidden costs'. This is not a comment on Egyptian men but merely an observation on separating relationships from work permits and considering carefully before entering into any relationship - and doing it for the right reasons.
Please also bear in mind that out here work can be on an 'as needed' basis, meaning that even with a work permit you may only get work when you are needed. When you are not needed you will have a day off, maybe at a few hours notice and without pay. Generally forget about holiday pay, sick pay or guaranteed monthly income or employment periods.
In summary it is becoming harder and harder for ex-pats to get work and there is, due to the current political situation less tourists and therefore less work.
It would be great if the situation settles, the politicians begin to realise the value of ex-pats, the tourists, and the business and tourist income ex-pat workers contribute. For my mind make it easy for ex-pats to work and let them pay tax. This would bring income for all in Sharm, locals and expats alike and we could all prosper. - but dont hold your breath
You can read more about my personal experiences and follow my personal blog of moving to and living and working in Sharm el Sheikh, which is linked and featured in expat-blog via expat-blog or directly at www.divinginsharmelsheikh.wordpress.com
Thanks again to expat-blog - what an awesome site