Job Discussion Forums

[fresh_oml]

Hi all,

This is my first post here. Just wanted to introduce myself first, my name is Hebah from Sydney, Australia.

My husband has been applying to different organisations for the past couple of months as an English instructor. He has graduated with a Masters of Education (TESOL) degree and has four years worth of teaching experience (he is currently completing a Masters of Education (Educational Administration). Although he has applied to various places, none have responded. Is there a reason? Do they usually take their time in answering applicants? Has also applied in other ME countries, such as Zayed University and still has no response? Can anyone explain this pattern?

Another question, I am currently a psychologist, would anyone know what the chances are of me finding a job in that area in the same city as my husband (who would be teaching)? Does anyone know of a similar website like this one that advertises jobs for psychologists in the ME?

Thanking you in advance

Hebah

[cam]

I also have a MA (TESOL) and over 10 years experience in ESL and have been looking for a job in the ME since January. I have applied for every job advertised. I have gotten answers back from 5 places but only one job offer from a uni in KSA. I am still waiting for the visa......in fact, I am beginning to wonder if the uni possibly found someone else more qualified and are just keeping me in case one of the new recruits backs out.

[Cleopatra]

Your husband appears to have good credentials, so I would attribuite the lack of response to:

1) The time of year. Most of the better institutions have done their hiring by now. Job offers are generally made in spring, so as to allow time for the lengthy visa application procedure.

2) More importantly, people here are infuriatingly bad at not keeping you informed - about anything. It's perfectly normal to file an application, hear nothing at all for months on end, and then suddenly getting an email saying "Can you be here next week?" - or close enough. It is, IMHO, one of the most frustrating aspects of dealing with people here.

Aas for your other question, I don't think psychiatry is well developed in this part of the world, but I'm really not that well informed on the subject. Somebody else might be able to give you better information.

[stan the man]

Thanks for the info here.

Similarily, I got a contract for the KSA and went through the process to get a visa, which was time-consuming only because I had to get a medical, and then to get my credentials authenticated at the Royal Saudi Embassy...and it cost me about $180.

The fee for the medical exam here in Canada was $100 (probably more in the US or other places without universal health care), which essentially was tests to see if you have diseases like aids and STDs, TB, malaria, or Bilharzia (? a water-bourne parasite otherwise known as the scourge of the Nile).

Once I got all the documentation, it was only three days to get the visa in my passport (I live where the KSA embassy is, so I could go there to do it myself).

But NOW... I've contacted the folks to say I've got all the paperwork done and I'm ready to go... and they won't respond!

It's been a month. The visa expires in three. After this hassle of getting the visa, I hope they honor the contract and fly me over there!

Can anyone else advise on what the delay is? Is this common to get a contract and get all the visa stuff done, and then they won't reply to see when they want you to arrrive?

[Linguist]

What are you waiting for?

If you already have the visa and contract, then fly and come down here. This is what they are probably waiting for you to do. Simply inform them of the date of your arrival.

[stan the man]

Dear Linguist,

Thanks for the advice.

Before I go, I thought it prudent to confirm with them that I have the visa and to find out about the flight arrangements, which they said they would look after; however, they haven't written back at all.

So should I suddenly arrive, at my own expense, without any confirmation on their part I'm coming?

Given the varied reports of "weirdness" this forum delves into, i.e., there are less-than-professional goings on in employment in the KSA, unhonoured/sudden changes in contractual details, and so on and so forth, is my prudence unfounded?

I look forward to more advice.

[Stephen Jones]

Dear Stan

If the job you're referring to is with JIC, then phone Personnel at the Royal Commission and tell them you've got the visa and are waiting for the PTA.

The person you need to talk to is Bandar As-Saif. If you don't get any joy there phone the college and aexplain your problem to the college deputy or the MD.

[Cleopatra]

[stan the man]

Much obliged for the advice here.

I'll try to contact the employer as best I can.