Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

OK, maybe I'm just being overly cynical - paranoid, even. And maybe I'm totally wrong.

But has anyone else harbored the suspicion that there might be a few recruiters and/or contractors posting on this forum and "posing" as teachers?


Caveat emptor?

Regards,
John

[scot47]

Of course some of us divide our time between Daves and the Slave Market down at the Casbah. I assure you all, dear readers that I am not one of those loathsome dealers in human flesh.

Abdullah inn Skutlanda Abu'arbaeen wa sabah.

[meInst]

[johnslat]

Dear meInst,

I'd give your post a plus (+) if I could

Regards,
John

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

[rdobbs98]

I know personally that some do monitor this site, Prime Ed is one, and will not consider you if they see any challenge to any of the schools they represent. Just a FYI.

Prime Ed got upset with my when they tried to get me to sign on with Interlink and I provided them with a background of what was being said of them. Of course according to Interlink and Prime Ed anyone who complains is a liar.

[veiledsentiments]

John and I and others have accused various posters of being in the employment of various recruiters over the last couple years. But, it is hard to prove. We had the fellow lately who self-identified, which was nice of him.

We've all worked with PollyAnna sorts who didn't seem to notice any of the various problems at this and that employer. So, other than raise suspicion of the overly positive, I don't know if we could actually stop them.

VS

[readytotravel]

So, let me get this straight. If someone who likes their job, doesn't think their employer is all that bad and wants to set the record straight, they are a "Pollyanna" or a recruiter posing as a teacher? Yes, you are paranoid and/or overly cynical. Get real.

[cmp45]

[readytotravel]

Thanks for the reply, cmp45. I had steeled myself for the infamous Dave's ESL "smack down" which is the all to common response from some of the old timers and self-proclaimed experts on life and work in Saudi. I agree with your assessment of the situation.

[nomad soul]

The only "Pollyanna" I've ever worked with in KSA was a woman on meds for depression, and those happy pills were definitely working. She was rather entertaining to be around but more importantly, was a very good teacher.

But back to the topic... It's not so easy spotting a recruiter; the anonymity these forums provide is an "invitation" to posters to comment as they wish, as long as they adhere to the rules. While some members tout their positive experiences, others see it as a sounding board to vent or put out a warning about a situation gone wrong. Then there are those in-betweeners (like myself, cmp45, and others) in which nothing's perfect---there are bumps in the road, but overall, things are going okay. And frankly, what works for one, doesn't work for another, especially since we each come to these forums (and to the Kingdom) with our own unique backgrounds, culture, interests, goals, perceptions, expectations, levels of tolerance, etc. It is what it is...that human nature thing.

Recruiter? Teacher? Who knows, and does it really matter. Either way, for many, these forums are a valuable source of information and inspiration and at times, entertainment. In fact, when I first thought about changing careers and going into teaching, I certainly benefitted from the more seasoned posters' advice, but also from others who were starting out as well. I didn't (and still don't) agree with everything that's posted on these boards, but that's cool---I never agreed with everything my parents told me either and didn't knock them for it. Anyway, we review the information, we synthesize it, we pick/we choose, we make our own decisions. In the end, we're accountable only for ourselves. Preachy? Yeah, but you can agree or disagree.

[johnslat]

Dear readytotravel,

"So, let me get this straight. If someone who likes their job, doesn't think their employer is all that bad and wants to set the record straight, they are a "Pollyanna" or a recruiter posing as a teacher? Yes, you are paranoid and/or overly cynical. Get real."

Actually, getting real is what I'm talking about. Are there people who like their jobs in Saudi? Of course - I was one, and I'm not a Pollyanna.

However, when I see posts that claim, "Everything here is great and don't worry. Just go!" Yup, I get a little suspicious because I know for a fact that there are NO jobs in Saudi (or anywhere else, most likely) where "Everything is great."

Moreover, this is an EFL teacher forum. While typos and other minor errors are understandable, when I see something like this:

"I got MA TESOL"

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=1070630#1070630

I almost have to HOPE the poster is really a recruiter/contractor because it's scary to think that anyone who truly has a TESOL MA would write in such a way

Regards,
John

[nomad soul]

[readytotravel]

Far more disturbing to me than the possibility of recruiters posting here, is the fact that threads are locked if an old-timer's wisdom is challenged.

[johnslat]

Dear readytotravel,

Well, the Moderators' names are all posted, so you can send a query/complaint if you wish.

Regards,
John

P.S. I'm NOT a Mod.