Job Discussion Forums

[jimpellow]

Hello,

I have been toying about coming back to Saudi on a business visa for six months to a year. I did a six month contract before, and oddly, quite enjoyed it save the unmotivated students.

So about a month ago I started to put out resumes that targeted Saudi recruiters and employers. I have had only had one interview as a result, and I stopped the process as they were so disorganized about it that it was a major red flag for me.

I realize that my background will limit my opportunities in the Magic Kingdom. I hold a Masters in Economics and my pre ESL days were mostly spent in big business consulting. I also only hold an online TEFL and another for Business English. Hence, I am not iqama material.

But I have taught ESL successfully for 8 years, including my six months in Saudi and teaching Saudis online this year. Considering the seemingly dire situation for ESL teachers, I would have expected more response from the firms who deal with ESL dregs like myself.

Of course, even targeted resumes placed online have a way of ending up all over the Net. I have received strong interest from other countries, so I do not think it is my resume.

So I am wondering with Ramadan coming up is it simply not the hiring season? I would think opposite.

Please do not advise me to rectify the situation by obtaining a DELTA etc. I am not that motivated. I have an online business that provides my income. The teaching I do because I enjoy it and the immersion in separate cultures, and obviously pulling in a second good source of income is sweet icing on the cake.

Most appreciative of any constructive advice or observations.

[nomad soul]

[jimpellow]

Thank you for the response.

The company I worked for before will consider me, but I will not consider them.

Actually, I am targeting those organizations stating explicitly or implicitly that the business visa will be the manner of employment. I even did a couple known bottom feeders just to test the waters.

Not exactly sure what has transpired in the last two years to place me below pond scum. I taught IELTS prep and Business English online, and in a university, part time while I was in the Philippines for a year and a half. This year while in the Yucatan I have been teaching part-time intermediate ESL (at least in name) to Saudis online.

I don't like to include that I run an online consulting business on the Internet. It seems in the past to have scared away potential employers who think I will not put my all into the position (incorrect), or that I am not dependent on their paycheck and hence slave (correct).

They may just be perceiving a part time bum who wanders the World. Yet I thought that was a fair number of the teachers I met on business visas while I was there.

[spiral78]

[nomad soul]

[jimpellow]

Yes, I am understanding now what you are saying about my strengths and weaknesses vis-a-vis the Saudi job market. I may have misjudged the supply-demand fundamentals going on there right now in the "secondary" ESL market.

I will stop posting resumes, and if contacts start to come in, follow up here as an FYI.

It looks like I will be heading to Medellin, Colombia in a couple months where I just spent a fantastic ten days. Quite an unappreciated city still, but I will miss the clean lifestyle which really allows me to accomplish some things, along with those honey soaked dates. Cheers

[hash]

There's several things I could bring up on this thread but before I do that, I would want to know why, with reference to your previous KSA employer,
"The company I worked for before will consider me, but I will not consider them." What happened that you would make such a statement?

I also find it a little peculiar that you would describe your former fellow teachers in KSA as "pond scum" and "part time bums who wander the World. Yet I thought that was a fair number of the teachers I met on business visas while I was there." If this is how you feel, I can't figure out why on earth you would want to go back to KSA.

Anyway, good luck in Medellin. You do know, of course, that it is considered one of the most dangerous cities not only in Latin America but in the world.

.

[bigdurian]

Good charlie though.

[ex500]

Don't highlight the fact your TEFL was done online on your CV.

Many employers may not ask and there is no checking done.

[MuscatGary]

[nomad soul]

[Gamajorba]

Honestly I would have thought Ramadan would definitely be the one time of year employers are DESPERATE to get people in, as obviously no one wants to be in Saudi for that period.

I remember my employer was insistent I arrived at the very start of it (without me even realising), only to arrive a week late (employer's fault not mine)...and ultimately found out how unbearable being in Saudi in Ramadan is. Thank god I was in Riyadh for that and not some little town like I am now...

[CANDLES]

JF- didn't mention your age.....

Is it anything to do with age? 56 years is the deadline to get an Iqama , after that very few employers offer anything, except COEs who do the 90 day visa for teachers upto the age of 62(max).

[MixtecaMike]

It might be your location in Yucatan. When I was applying from Guatemala and then Mexico years ago, I only got one bite (actually only a nibble) from anywhere that offered airfares. Applying from Korea a bit later I got about 4 or 5 offers in about one month. Latin America might be a bit exotic for ME employers, who also think it's hilarious to confuse Guatemala with Guantanamo.

[Gamajorba]