Job Discussion Forums

[waks]

Hi all,

I'm Just looking for some clarification to the recruitment/ Visa process as I�ve recently started applying for work around the Middle East and in particular in Saudi Arabia.

Basically, I applied and subsequently had an interview with ELI of King AbdulAziz University. I then received an e-mail requesting documentation which was to be verified, I believe this is for the Visa? However, I have hit a stumbling block as I cannot get employment records for two previously held positions as those employers cease to exist now (I held these some time ago as f/t posts in the UK).

Is this process (i.e. requesting employment records etc) just related to KAU or a standard type of process for all jobs in KSA i.e. Aramcco/ International Schools and other parts of the M.E?

[nomad soul]

[veiledsentiments]

All of my employers around the Gulf required these "letters of employment." (something that I had never heard of before). As Nomad said, they are not required for the visa process, but the employers normally only give you "credit" for experience proven by these 'letters.' Thus, if you have 10 years of experience, but your 'letters' only cover 5 years, your salary will reflect that difference.

VS

[lcanupp1964]

I 100% agree with the last two posts. I work at the ELI at KAU and if you have it on your CV, you need a letter for each position. Yes, even for non-teaching positions you held. Your offer letter is based on your CV, but main HR will "adjust" you salary if you can't provide proof of employment. My advice is to be very, very creative (wink) and "find" your "letters". This is a country where the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.

[Super Modal]

Do you think they would accept letters of reference? I've got lots of those.

[johnslat]

Dear Super Modal

I know my employer accepted letters of reference - as long as they included the dates worked there and contact info.

Regards,
John

[waks]

Thank you all for the clarification, it makes sense now as they didn�t specify pay for this position. Does anyone know how they calculate pay in this case i.e. are their any guidelines for experience and quals etc?

lcanupp1964 are they really the lax with their checks?

SM - I'm quite sure they were looking for specific dates in these letter i.e. when you started employment and also when you finished and that they would only consider full time work.

[lcanupp1964]

Waks, It's not that they are "lax", they just expect you to have all your letters of employment. Like Johnslat said, letters of reference on company letterhead are OK as long as you have the dates of employment and have the job title in the letter(s) that you listed on your CV. If it looks official, it's official. In regards to pay, most native speakers of English get an extra bonus that's between 150% - 180% of the base pay.

[sicklyman]

Aramco ask you for 7 years of employment and residence history and this should include no unaccounted for gaps. And I mean none. I have heard of people running into difficulty because they were travelling for several months and could not provide a contact who could verify this.

If you are applying for a contractor position with Aramco, your contractor is obligated to complete this history as part of their paperwork. On the one hand, they will badger you to be as thorough as necessary. On the other hand, they will give you suggestions as to what you could do if you do indeed have time that is unaccounted for.

[lcanupp1964]

I feel that it's good advice to tell all new teachers coming over to bring as many documents and letters of employment as you can because you never know what HR will ask for. Sometimes, they will ask for something that they may not ask another teacher when processing their paperwork. When in doubt, bring it.

P.S. Thanks Powerpuff Girl for you PM regarding this topic.

[nomad soul]

[lcanupp1964]

Here's a little trick: Do a high res. scan of any document and then output it at a copy/computer center that has very nice, hi-res. color printers. For around 25sr, you can get a couple of copies done this way. I will always try to get my past employees to sign my letters with blue ink because when I scan it, HR will think it's an original because they will see the blue, not black ink that may look like a copy.

[plumpy nut]

Could you just provide contact info especially phone numbers for past jobs. Employment documents are not the norm for Western jobs. Then the past employers could send documents, that is if they even do that.

I never had to give verification of employment even for teaching jobs I listed although now that I am over here they are asking for teaching credentials, which includes past teaching employers.

[nomad soul]

[cmp45]