Job Discussion Forums

Mingvase · Joined: 19 Jan 2016 Posts: 62

I worked in Saudi for the Arabian Education Training Group about 5 years ago. I am from the UK and I have been told by a visa agency that I would need a letter of recommendation from my previous employer for a new visa. I contacted them but have received no reply from them (I had to guess their email address cos there isn't one on their website so I guessed info@.... and it went through) What can I do to get a letter of recommendation? Or should I just delete Saudi off my CV and apply for any new employment as though it's my first time. I have a new passport so there aren't any visa stamps in it. Or do they keep a record at the embassy that I was in Saudi 5 years ago.

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

Trying to get a letter of recommendation or any other form of documentation from a sketchy company that you worked for 5 years ago is a lost cause.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Give up. See previous threads about "Letter of Service" Get one before you leave. If you can't do it now maybe you have to "re-write" your CV.

mnruman · Joined: 30 Mar 2015 Posts: 93 Location: Manchester, UK

Would it be wise to get a letter of recommendation from the institution you are employed by whilst you’re still there?

Or would the employer frown upon this as they know your intentions of leaving them?

mnruman · Joined: 30 Mar 2015 Posts: 93 Location: Manchester, UK

scot47, you answered me whilst I was posting Very Happy

How do employers react to such requests whilst your still employed by them?

Mingvase · Joined: 19 Jan 2016 Posts: 62

I've just been speaking with a recruitment agency about this problem and they think I should be alright because I think I was on a business visa not an iqama. I've got a new passport so no visa stamps showing. I think rewriting my CV may be the way to go.

mnruman · Joined: 30 Mar 2015 Posts: 93 Location: Manchester, UK

radient one · Joined: 29 Nov 2012 Posts: 38

Thanks Scot47 for the advice: "Letter of Service: Get one before you leave". A forum search simply brought me back to this thread! Is the letter of service an official document, and do you request one from your employer if / when your are finishing with them? What information should it include, please?
Thanks.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Uncle Ali's Excellent TEFL Academy
date

John Smith worked here as a teacher from 01.01.2003 to 02.01.2003

He was an excellent teacher and performed his job well. He appears to be of sober and temperate habits

Signed

Abdul Albulbul Emir

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Look at this thread
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=108272&start=0

It is not an official form - just a letter "to whom it may concern" for use at some unspecified future date. It could be useful at some point in the future to prove that you spent the time teaching and not in an institution for the criminally insane.

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

johnslat · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:05 pm Post subject:

Every time I left, when I asked for a letter, the Saudi director would say:

"You write; I sign."

Under those circumstances, it was hard to retain my natural modesty, so I never tried to. Very Happy

And, as a bonus, I knew the spelling, punctuation. capitalization, grammar and syntax would be OK.

Regards,
John

2buckets · Joined: 14 Dec 2010 Posts: 515 Location: Middle East

"You write; I sign."

Same here.

gregory999 · Joined: 29 Jul 2015 Posts: 372 Location: 999

radient one · Joined: 29 Nov 2012 Posts: 38

Scot47 and others, thank you for the information and clarifications. May not be of timely help to OP but will certainly save myself and others potential hassles in the future. Grassy arse!