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Can't get letter of recommendation.
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Mingvase



Joined: 19 Jan 2016
Posts: 62

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 11:43 am    Post subject: Can't get letter of recommendation. Reply with quote

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.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 12:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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mnruman



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

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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mnruman



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

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

scot47, you answered me whilst I was posting Very Happy

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



Joined: 19 Jan 2016
Posts: 62

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:37 pm    Post subject: ref Reply with quote

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.
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mnruman



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

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:41 pm    Post subject: Re: ref Reply with quote

Mingvase wrote:
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.


Best way to go under the circumstances, shame you can show the experience you've gained.

Would it affect how much salary they offer or does it not really matter as KSA don't offer high salaries as they did in the past.
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radient one



Joined: 29 Nov 2012
Posts: 38

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 4:37 pm    Post subject: "Letter of Service" Get one before you leave Reply with quote

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.
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 6:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 6:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mnruman wrote:
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?

You generally would request a recommendation letter soon after giving notice of your resignation. Be aware, these types of letters aren't the norm; some Saudi employers will only provide a certificate of employment (days before the employee is to physically depart the country).
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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2buckets



Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 515
Location: Middle East

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"You write; I sign."

Same here.
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gregory999



Joined: 29 Jul 2015
Posts: 372
Location: 999

PostPosted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

scot47 wrote:
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

Scotty, here is the funniest letter of recommendation:

To Whom It May Concern

Jimmy has been employed as an English teacher with Uncle Bandar School of Camels between 1970 and 1990. He left of his own volition.

In his time with the school, Jimmy proved himself useless in a wide variety of tasks. His responsibilities included surfing the internet, reading Mikey Mouse magazines, and facebooking and tweeting his friends.

Jimmy was always unreliable and uncooperative. He did not get on with students and staff. Jimmy proved himself completely untrustworthy and irresponsible. One day he was caught stealing toilet papers and tea bags from the kitchen of the school (Later we discovered he was a member of the 500 club!).

We were very enjoyed when Jimmy informed us he was leaving and I hope I never see him again.

If you require any further information regarding Jimmy's employment, please contact me.

Regards,


Abu Bandar Bulbulaa
Director of Human Resources
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radient one



Joined: 29 Nov 2012
Posts: 38

PostPosted: Wed Feb 10, 2016 2:42 am    Post subject: Thank you Reply with quote

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!
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