Job Discussion Forums

[eslinstructor15]

Done! Although I doubt they will reply as I have already contacted them on February when the ad was posted. Thanks nonetheless!

[myohmy]

Plenty of direct hires at PNU in Riyadh have non-TEFL related degrees.

[eslinstructor15]

I see.

I heard that if you are a NES then unis/recruiters are more lenient i.e. what you studied at university does not really matter. Unfortunately I am not a NES.

I did apply to PNU anyway on April 1st and still no reply.

Thanks for your comment!

[myohmy]

PNU is in a state of transition at the moment. I would be persistent if I were you. They are going to need plenty of teachers next fall.

[eslinstructor15]

I will certainly take heed of your advice and persist!

[FrenchConnexion]

I am a French native, teaching ESL, with a Master from France in Sc. in Education, not anything related to EFL. I am a direct hire in a gvt university, and I did not follow my husband, rather he followed me here. So, wrong on all accounts for many of the comments I read above.
Your question of giving you a list of places to apply to is almost impossible: you just have to try everywhere, even replying to ads which state "native speakers", because I got hired at KSU back in 2008, while they had specified "native speakers only".
A lot of the native speakers from the US I was teaching with were locally hired spouses, and if they had a TEFL/CELTA, most of them had no university degrees, or just AAs, or degrees not related to ESL/EFL.
Now if the add says they only have certain visas from a limited list of countries, sure, do not bother. Otherwise, try, try, and persevere. You will not loose anything by trying. But you will by listening to each and everyone who is a native and gives you advice on a situation they have not faced themselves. Again, I have been working in the field of ESL here in KSA for almost 8 yrs now, and I have been working alongside many many nationalities (non-natives).
If your degree is not related to ESOL but to education, and you do have teaching experience in the ESL/EFL field, you stand a chance. In the Colleges of Excellence they require the non-native teachers to take the IELTS, and get at least a 7.5. That should be quite easily achievable.

[eslinstructor15]

FrenchConnexion

Appreciate your uplifting message! You inspired me and gave me hope.

This is solely by way of information, I pursued a MSc in health and social care and a BA in economics and public health (both from anglophonic universities). I hold a CELTA certificate and have almost three years teaching experience under my belt.

I have steadily been applying to ESL positions in KSA. I know of almost every vacancy available on the internet. I will not stop until I succeed. I have even applied to KSU through three different recruiters non-concurrently - all of which said and I quote "We have received your CV and have shortlisted your profile for a Skype interview with our remarkable clients King Saud University." They then went ahead and asked for scans of few documents. After that, they said they need approval from KSU and will let me know. I chased them up a couple of times but to no avail.

Anyway to conclude as they say "perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th"

Keeping an upbeat and positive attitude here!

[veiledsentiments]

It often comes down to supply and demand.

Remember that recruiters are merely looking for warm bodies and will give you hope... then disappear because the employer is sticking to their required credentials.

As our French poster said, just keep trying... and be realistic that it will depend much on luck and timing for you because you don't fit what most employers think they want. You might find a job next month or it could take a year... or two... or perhaps never.

Good Luck!

VS

[eslinstructor15]

Thanks VS! Nice username!

I concur with your comment that I might be able to secure employment in KSA within a month or year or never.

As far as recruiters, no wonder! I was wondering why would they shortlist me for an interview and then vanish. It would be more professional if they first got approval then shortlisted candidates but hey ho I won't lose sleep over it.

I appreciate everyone putting their two cents in. I learn something new every time.

[balqis]

I saw PMU direct hire ad recently.

balqis

[eslinstructor15]

I saw it too! Applied on 30 April.

Their response was "...once reviewed and only if shortlisted, you will be contacted for an interview.
Due to the large number of applications received, kindly note that it may take up to 4 weeks to be scheduled for an interview."

Fingers crossed!

[balqis]

yes, crossed...
Finding a job in KSA/Gulf can be a full-time job on its own. So persevere.

blqs

[nomad soul]

[eslinstructor15]

Thanks for your message NS!

I always include a reference letter from my most recent employer in applications.

As far as evaluation reports, good idea! I would have guessed that recruiters might not read them but I will definitely include them in future applications.

Lastly, does it have to be IELTS? Would TOEFL be an acceptable alternative?

[nomad soul]