Job Discussion Forums

das31 · Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 36

What do you think my chances are of getting a job at a uni if I came to Muscat in January and knocked on doors?

4 years experience, Cert TESOL, MA App Ling (and an unrelated MA), NZ passport.

Thanks in advance

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Zero at Sultan Qaboos... perhaps at one of the private colleges, but you would likely have to return home to do the paperwork for a work visa. Walk-ins are not the way hiring is done. (except with people who are already in the country on a residence/spousal visa)

I would suggest applying at some of the private colleges and mention that you could be there for an interview.

VS

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

Email your CV and mention you will be in the country in January

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

Only if you've already planned to head to Oman early next year for a visit/holiday. Paying for a special trip solely in hopes of landing work for the 2018-2019 academic year is a pricy risk, especially if you're not already in the region. Plus, knocking on doors is hit-n-miss; the key people you'd need to see may not be available (or willing) to see you.

BTW, top employer Sultan Qaboos University usually holds its recruitment efforts at TESOL Arabia's annual job fair. As VS indicated, that would be a "no" for walking in to SQU.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 10:41 pm Post subject:

One of my former colleagues got retrenched from her job at my CAS in Salalah due to her age, but she was then able to get a job at the University of Dhofar. I guess that counts as a 'walk in'. However, she was highly qualified, had been in Salalah for years and, I'm guessing, probably knew quite a few of the 'right people'. In short, she was definitely the exception, rather than the rule.

I got my job in Oman by just applying online from outside the country. Same with pretty much everyone else I knew. If you are coming to Oman for a holiday anyway, have a few extra days up your sleeve, and don't mind knocking on doors, well, OK. It might make a difference, you could get lucky, and, if not, at least you tried. However, I certainly wouldn't make a special trip over there just for that. I'd advise just keeping an eye on the various job boards and applying when a position is advertised and/or maybe even just e-mailing your CV 'cold call' style. Good luck!

das31 · Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 36

Thanks everyone for your advice.

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

I am a firm believer that "knocking on doors" works wonders...it did for me in Muscrat....and I have secured the best EFL teaching offers by doing this in Oh Man!!!!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

That makes one...

...and you were probably already working there... or elsewhere in the Gulf.

VS

JohnRambo · Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 183

Do you like living in Oman? How does it compare to say the UAE or Saudi Arabia? Which universities would you recommend? What kind of paperwork do you need? I don't know much about the visa process. I'm teaching at a university in Turkey, and I would consider coming to to Oman and working.

EFL Educator · Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town

As a proud South African I am very happy to have worked in Oh Man! It is a wonderful country and the people are very friendly!