Job Discussion Forums

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

This is regarding attending the job fair-which is all I'm interested in......job fair-200 AED, bit expensive-but can handle that. However, according to the conference website, it looks like anybody wishing to attend the job fair has to also pay the 1170 AED for conference membership-making a grand total payment of 1370 AED ??!!! Can anybody confirm this from previous experience? This is an extortionate fee to basically tout your CV at a job fair....

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

That's correct. If you want to attend the job fair, you'll also have to pay for the conference:

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

Thanks for the confirmation. That's outright extortion to attend a job fair. Won't be going for sure now....

esl_prof · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 12:56 pm Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Dh1370=US$373

To attend the US TESOL convention for only one day as a non-member is US$275. But, of course one can't necessarily attend and get interviews in one day... so two days $455. Full conference is $645. (membership + conference would be $495.)

It is not cheap to run these conferences. They aren't organizations that make profits or even pay salaries. If one wants to take advantage of meeting and interviewing with a number of organizations, it is worth it IMHO. I never actually used the job fair when I attended the conference. I used them to network so that I never needed it. But I have had many friends who did use it successfully. YMMV

VS

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Ditto VS' comments. Besides, if the OP were a member of TESOL Arabia, the 3-day conference + job fair would cost 840 AED ($230) for a savings of nearly $150 compared to the non-member fees.

I got a job through TESOL Arabia's job fair several years ago, so it can be successful for some job seekers. The key is to have solid qualifications (relevant MA and 3+ years of experience) and/or a special skill or knowledge. Plus, not all employers limit their recruitment to just those applicant attending the job fair. A few employers use the fair solely to collect CVs for later review.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I went to TESOL Arabia a couple of times and used the Job Fair, but did not get a job through them. On my first visit I was so appalled at the low level of "academic presentations" that I put one on myself. I signed up dozens of members for the "Scot47 Fan Club" (A Limited Company registered under the Laws of Tralfamador)

I even persuaded my then employer (Saudi Arabian Airlines) to pay for me to go and talk !