Job Discussion Forums

carnac · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 7:46 pm Post subject:

Whoa, please. Just caught this last conversation. RO91,500 converts to USD238,281.00. Somehow, I don't think so. Please recheck your pay and conversions. Try http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic.
However, if you are correct, I will apply yesterday.

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

Ha!! don't we wish... I suspect that she multiplied instead of divided or whatever. I've always been hopeless a converting currencies myself.

Couper,

If you want to continue working in the Middle East, you will want and need a 'letter of employment' from them when you leave. It just says basically what your job was, dates of employment, sometimes pay scale... but the fact that you have it tells your next employer that you left in good standing.

Thus, I would tell you them that you prefer a one-year contract. They may not hire you then, because it is expensive to bring in new staff, so it is hardly worth their trouble for only one year. People do lie about such things, of course, but I always prefer to be honest myself. If you reach the point of receiving an offer, you could discuss it with them. Tell them that you would prefer a one-year contract in case of XX (a worry? a family situation?).

One thing is that if you were planning to do any saving, you would really need at least two years. The first year always ends up being pretty expensive, getting organized... getting the flat set up... traveling about to see all the sights... buying a car...

VS

Couper · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

Oops, sorry. I converted to Saudi Ryals instead of Omani, try 9,400 Omani Ryals instead!

Thanks for the advice, Veiled - I don't really like being dishonest either and from what you say it would just be shooting myself in the foot. So, will have a rethink. If I can't save money in less than 2 years I don't think it's what I'm after, to be honest, and now that I think about it, what you say about start-up costs etc makes sense.

Thanks again!

carnac · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 1:17 pm Post subject:

The math:
OMR9400 converts to USD24, 479. Bear in mind, tax-free.
OMR9400 is approx 783 riyals/mo. Subtract rent, say max 150. food,max 100. car, even a rental, 150. entertainment, maybe frugally 50. Throw in an extra 100 for fun. Deductions: 550 or so.Balance 230 or so. Balance of OMR280 converts to about $600 a month for savings or extra stuff. You are ok, just watch expenditures. There is no cause for complaint with this as a beginner pay.
BTW, take the pay and add at least 25% to equivalate US pay with taxes. This is what you equivalentually (aha! new word!) get.
Jeez! Hope I got the subtractions right! ESL folks are not known math people! Sigh, especially me.
Carnac

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

Hey Carnac,

They provide housing, so rent wouldn't be an issue. As to the pay level being beginner level, it would more accurately be defined as the standard starting salary for the smaller places and private colleges - even with MAs and tons of experience. SQU pays slightly more and some of the Ministry jobs pay yet again more.

But, you should still easily be able save half or more... unless you are a very heavy boozer/partier. Shocked

VS

Couper · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

Thank you both for your advice.

If I go, it won't be to drink or party. Really, I just want to experience the culture & meet the locals, see the beautiful countryside, get more teaching experience in a good professional environment and hopefully save some cash (pretty much in that order!)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting to come home loaded and if it's a choice between saving heaps and enjoying the experience, I'll go for the latter every time. However, the reality is that I do need to pay off some debts before I can get on with my MA.

RAFO has just emailed me again asking for more documents, so I guess my application is still "alive"! Cheers again for your comments and please don't hesitate if anything else comes to mind...

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

Crouper,

In addition to my comment on the other thread. Since they are asking for further paperwork... ask them about whether there are other female teachers and also ask if it would be possible to correspond with them. ???

VS

Couper · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 18

Very good idea, VS.

The email from "RAFO Recruiting Office" does address me as "Ms" so I guess they haven't forgotten I'm a woman, and I can't imagine why they would waste their time getting me to send documents through if I'm not in the running. However, their original email just says, "yes, we consider female applicants as well". Which probably means, "yes, we consider them for a few seconds and then go...naaah, too female" Wink

I will now email Mohammed from RAFO, in my ongoing quest for a female RAFO employee...will keep you posted...

carnac · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:47 pm Post subject:

Well? Some time has gone by. What's the story?
Want a shortcut? Send me your CV, and I will hand-deliver it. Then we'll see, won't we?
FYI, the boss RAFO guy in RAO sits next to me in the office. Easy thing. Happy to do it, if you wish. [email protected]

wigan4 · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 34

I'm a retiring US Air Force officer (major)--lots of flying experience, time in the middle east, etc. BS in accounting, MBA, CPA, and lots of program management in the Air Force.

Would they be interested in someone like me?

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

wigan

To teach what? You wouldn't be qualified to teach English and I think that was what this thread was about. It looks to me like you might be eligible to teach accounting or other business courses, but I doubt that is what they are looking for at RAFO. You might have a better chance at SQU or MCBS in Oman or perhaps even AUS in the Emirates or AUK in Kuwait. Other colleges with American oriented business programs may also be interested.

You probably would be better of hitting google. Most informants here are EFL teachers. I have taught some business courses, but don't know all the places that might be possible for you.

VS

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

See http://www.rafo.gov.om/ind_req_details-eng.htm for information about recruitment of EFL teachers.

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

Hey Wigan,

Are you a qualified flight teacher for helicopters? Or could you teach ground crew? another position related to supply...

I noticed that all jobs are bachelor status.

VS

wigan4 · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 34

I'd be more interested in teaching English. What does it take to do that? Obviously if it's just a matter of a CELTA or TESOL that's easy to fix (I'd do that anyhow), but if most places are firm on experience requirements then obviously I'd have to start somewhere else.

I see now that it's only for bachelors and I'd be bringing my wife, so obviously the Omani Air Force thing isn't for me, but when I first saw it I thought they might see some benefit to having an experienced aviator/officer on the staff if they're involved with teaching 'flight English' or anything related to military aviation/communication.

I'm probably going to go back to school to get my teaching credentials, but if I do this I guess I'll have to go to China--that may be even more fun and the money doesn't really matter anyhow. I'm just looking for something fun and rewarding to do.

Oops--missed the second one--no, I'm a KC-135 guy--air refueling; although I've spent the last 4 years mispending the taxpayer's money in acquisition programs. It's fun for a while, but it's not something I'd do for anything but paycheck and I'll be XYZ'd if I'm going to work for money anymore--from now on I'm working for me! I want to do something where I can work with people on an individual basis and give something back, and teaching in some shape or form seems perfect to me. I'll just have to keep poking around until I find the right niche.

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

Hi Wigan,

Don't completely put aside the idea of teaching accounting. I was amazed to find out how much fun it is... a helluva lot more fun than doing it. Laughing

Unlike teaching English where you seem to spend your life correcting the same mistakes over and over and over, in accounting you get to watch the little light bulb go off over their heads... "aha!! I've been here in this class for a semester and a half and suddenly it all makes sense!!" I actually remember that moment from my first year of accounting in college back in the 60's.

What you need depends on what you want to do. If you want to teach high school, then you need the BA in education to get certified. But, you have the air force pension, right? Why go to that aggravation. If you want to bum around the world and money is no object, go get a CELTA. It is the best and most widely accepted teaching certificate. It provides a good practical classroom base.

Then just pick a country and go get some experience!! You can usually make enough to support yourself within most countries and you can suppliment with private lessons... Your wife could do the same and you both could teach.

If you are in the states in a larger suburban area, check out adult education. Volunteer to see if you like it... try teaching a business/accounting course... You have lots of choices and they are all good.

VS