Job Discussion Forums

[SkyeJess]

Does anyone know if there's an official age limit for expat teachers in Oman? I have always found it really easy to get good jobs there (highly qualified, very experienced, 5 years in Oman already), but suddenly now there is a great wall of silence in response to my applications. I'm wondering if it could be my age - I'm 58 now. Thanks.

[nomad soul]

Given that your post consists of minimal info, that lack of response could stem from one, none, or a combo of the following:

- your age, even if you haven't hit any set, mandatory retirement age
- your lack of recent experience in Oman/the region
- your qualifications ("highly qualified" is vague)
- a history or indication of job hopping
- a lackluster CV/resume
- applying for positions when the peak hiring season has ended
- leaving your last Omani position on bad terms

[Eijse74]

...

[Sleepwalker]

Where are you applying?

[Mojoski]

Hi Jess, yes the official age limit is 60, but it all depends. I personally knew several teachers at Nizwa University who were hired past the age of 60. All this stuff is very arcane. I was hired at the age of 58 and continued working past my 60th birthday, yet a colleague was terminated on her 60th. Later she obtained another post in Oman. My sense was that the MoHE gave more latitude to private schools than the MoM, but the colleague I just referred to got her new post in a MoM school, so go figure.

I taught in Oman 3 years and am now 62 and trying to get back there. I think it is still possible, but schools will avoid taking older teachers if younger ones are available. I wish I knew exactly what the scoop is, but no one will explain it to me. The only thing to do is keep applying and see what happens. Good luck!

[Salalah Man]

I was wondering whether age is a factor in getting a job in Oman. I'm only 49 and have taught in Oman twice, the last time very recently. I can't think of any reason why I wouldn't get an interview but I applied to Nizwa University, Al Sharqiya University and the recently opened Military College in Muscat. Not a word from any of them. I find that if I apply for jobs through an Irish or British agency, I'll generally get a positive reply but if I apply direct that isn't always the case. It's not the end of the world as I've got money but it is puzzling when firms don't make contact.

[Mojoski]

Salalah Man, 90% of schools won't reply just to tell you no because it would be time spent on something of no benefit to them. When I wanted to go to Poland, I wrote to over 100 places and got maybe 10 responses, then was hired by a place I hadn't written to (they found my CV on a website where I had posted it).

However, many of them keep your CV on file and contact you when they have need. I had just signed my first Oman contract when, bang bang bang, I was contacted by three places I had written to 3 or 4 months earlier and had not heard word one from. So, you never know.

[veiledsentiments]