Job Discussion Forums

[Mr. Leafy]

I realise this question might be a bit out of season, but I’m just playing with some new ideas.

If you are interviewed at TACON and a school wants to hire you, does the process go more smoothly or quickly than other more distant hires?

I've been reading the ME forums over the past ten years and I’ve read so many stories of lack of communication, and then a last minute demand to be there right away and various other problems.

If you were hired after an interview at TACON, how soon after did you get accepted, and when was all the paperwork done?

Disclaimers
Yes, there are many different employers from different countries and institutions at the job fair, but in general, is it smoother?
Yes, I know the employment situation and conditions are not good right now. But I’ve always wanted to go to the Middle East, so I’ll try now, before it gets worse.
Yes, I’ve read all the other related threads, but they are about attending/applying the con, not what happens after.

[Gulezar]

The TACON Interview team and HR team often are not working off the same page However, a face-to-face interview generally means that the interview team is fairly certain that you have a chance of being accepted.

Any hold ups and snafus after an acceptance letter is sent out are due to the HR Department. As more HR department become more localized, you can expect less empathize on HR as a service to assist expats through a maze and more on a person of power with a title who has papers to shuffle around a desk.

Always pick up business cards from the team. Sometimes, when a team is faced with the glacial wall of being understaffed, someone decides to walk over to HR and remind them that your papers appear to be lost.

Consider doing a presentation at TACON. It's always a good lead into a response to an interview question. The team probably won't be able to attend your presentation, but it highlights your interests with an action, not just hollow words.

[nomad soul]

There's no one-size-fits-all magic answer solely for the reasons you gave in your disclaimers. Different countries; different processes and time frames. As for getting the paperwork completed, be aware that recruiting (at TACON) starts in March; however, the academic year won't start until 5 or so months later in August or September. So don't count on getting your airfare any sooner than that. Plus, the visa process can be long and tediious -- you'll appreciate the extra months.

By the way, those last minute demands and problems you read about likely involved contracting companies (for-profit staffing companies) and not direct-hire positions. Nearly all of the employers at TACON are likely to be universities with direct-hire openings.

That said, you'll need a TEFL-related MA or PhD/EdD and several years of tertiary experience to qualify for most of the jobs advertised at TACON. Moreover, keep in mind you'd be competing for positions with job seekers who have Mid East experience under their belt. So if you've got some special skill, experience or knowledge, you'd need to play that up. There may be a few military contracting companies recruiting; some accept BA holders with a particular major. International and public school recruiters have their own recruiting seasons, and generally don't attend TACON since they're obviously looking for more than just ESL teachers.

If you lack a relevant degree, then don't bother going to expensive TACON. Instead, apply to positions on TEFL job boards. Most of those openings tend to be with for-profit contracting companies, which usually hire year round.

[Mr. Leafy]

Thank you Gulezar, good info and advice.
I have a couple possible presentations, am deciding which one would work best in the context.

[veiledsentiments]

Is it reading problem or do you just have unusually thin skin?

There was absolutely nothing negative about you in her post. It merely stated the facts about employment possibilities at this conference. Everything in her post was 100% accurate. Since she doesn't know you and your credentials weren't stated, she had to cover all the bases. This has become a rather stock post for someone who lands on this section of the board... and usually has an unrelated BA and 2 years of teaching conversation in China or Thailand.

Perhaps you have never bothered to read the Middle East section, but we have so many teachers arrive in this section with completely unrealistic expectations based on the now pretty much dead fact of getting high pay with low credentials. This is particularly true of the UAE. So if you wanted to avoid getting your feelings hurt, you should have stated your credentials.

VS

[nomad soul]