Job Discussion Forums

tiberio · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 56

Dear all,

The first offer I received is short of OMR 900 for net salary, excl allowances (of which I have not heard details yet).

Is such a first offer usually just a try to see if I would take it or does a first offer in Oman usually mean "take it or leave it"?

I would be very gratefull for your advice in this matter, your forum was most useful for finding out quite a bit about Oman (and actually to encourage me to go there).

Kind regards,
Tiberio

lionbrian · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 136 Location: Micronesia

900 OR/A month for a PHD holder & experience????? A farce!
For a real PHD, it is a joke ! If you hold a fake one, then go for it!

Oh sorry! A British PHD? I never knew that British PHDs are not worth it at all!

tiberio · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 56

Thank you, Lionbrian. Unfortunately in this case it is a real PhD from a reputable British uni.

What would you consider appropriate for associate professor at a Muscat college?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

That sounds terribly low. Sounds OK for just a BA, but not for anything more.

tiberio · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 56

Thank you both, this kind of confirms my doubts about this. Are first offers usually this low or is it not worth pursuing any further if it starts this low?

lionbrian · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 136 Location: Micronesia

A real PHD from a British uni! Then, forget it & move on! I know ESL/EFL teachers with just a BA & a TESOL/TEFL certificate making that money in Oman. Look somewhere else, otherwise you will be regretting the days & nights that you spent writing your thesis. Dude! It's not worth it!

All the best!

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

For those of us in EFL, there is little possibility of negotiations, but with PhD's you have more leverage. That is a rather pitiful offer and I would inform them that you are aware that MAs and BAs+CELTA with extensive ME experience are paid at nearly that rate at some universities in Oman.

I'd give them a chance to make a better offer and see if they will. Also be sure to find out what the rest of the package includes. It should be more money PLUS free furnished housing, tickets, health coverage, gratuities...

If this is a small private college, I doubt that they will go much more purely because they can't afford to. (and they can get cheaper PhD's from the subcontinent if they have to) But, if you really are interested in Oman, you could consider it a foot in the door to some of the high pay jobs in the Gulf - say in the UAE or Qatar. A couple years or contracts there would look good on the CV. Cool

I have taught business courses (and English) in a small college in Oman and it was great fun... lovely students... I chose to take the lower pay of the private colleges for the more informal atmosphere of the place.

VS

lionbrian · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 136 Location: Micronesia

Well done Veil! I really consider you as "THE ANGER BREAKER"

tiberio · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 56

Thank you all so much, I was very uncertain about the offer

You are a very helpful and kind people here, I appreciate your advice.

Thanks a lot!

margaurina · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 14

I know pays seem to be very low, but can I say that with allowances, it does look better. If you have a Masters you get a lower rate and if you don't have any of those, you get even a lower rate still. I speak from a Masters position.

Pays are not good here, as compared to other countries surrounding Oman. But the cost of living is lower than in many of the other countries. So I guess there is some compensation. And remember this base salary is tax free. That might help your thinking.