Job Discussion Forums

[Manny2]

A friend of mine is in the process of filling in the online applications for both HCT and ZU and both ask how much you were earning in previous positions and while this is not a mandatory field , how much you expect to receive if hired is mandatory.

They have wondered the following and I am not sure what is best to advise them to do.

Do you fill in these details or at least the most recent employer and then hope they offer you more ? as I think that they use these figures to see how little they can offer you above your last salary.

But if you leave them all blank and then put in amount in the expected category that may be higher than what they start people on will this ruin your chances of being offered a job.

You have to actually put in a number amount rather than say I expect a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

What do the rest of you think ?

Manny

[Gauguin]

What do you teach, Manny.

[Gordon]

Good question, Manny. This is something I also want to know.

[Tuttifruitti]

A friend of mine who was earning quite a good salary in another institute asked for more than they were prepared to pay and she was 'screened out' because of it, so don't aim too high.

When she was informed that she had not passed screening, she called and asked for feedback and was told that her salary request was too high and they hadn't thought of asking her to consider a lower starting salary!! She said she would reconsider and eventually got a job earning less than she had been, but with better conditions.

With HCT, the highest starting salary one could expect is probably between 11,500 and 13,000 dhs a month (with MA+exp). The top of the scale for teachers is just under 16,500, so you definitely won't start too close to that!

[veiledsentiments]

Personally I find this whole concept unfair. I have encountered this question through the years, but I never answered it. Of course, this was before online applications which may force you to put a number there.

I would say that I expect to receive whatever is mandated in their system as the salary for my credentials. Of course for someone whose listed experience is with institutions that they would be familiar with... they would know my salary range anyway.

Naturally this question is coming from employers who in return will NEVER put salary information on their advertisements.

One would hope that applicants come here and then could type in the range Tutti mentions. Don't take this as advice... but I know that I would put zeros in the spaces and type an explanation in either the cover letter or a field that allows comments. But, how you do that could affect whether they would consider you or not. If I have the appropriate MA + X years of experience, I would state that I understand the range to be 11,500-13,500 and would expect an offer within that usual range.

JMHO... VS

[like2answer]

When I applied to HCT I didn't put a number there, just left it blank. With 4 years teaching and a MA in TESL, I was given around 9600 (but this was about 8 years ago). Now you have to also realize that HCT gives 6% increases every year up to around 16,800 - so now I make almost that, but ZU and UAEU UGRU don't. My friend from ZU gets about 2% increase every year and friends at UGRU vary from 1% to 5% depending on how much "extra" work they get.

That said, I'd leave the box blank.

We hired a couple a year or so ago and the wife was offered less than her husband. Since they were people our supervisors, oh I mean chairs, wanted, the woman was given the extra money... so if they want you, I mean really want you, they can go up a bit. They only went up 6% so the married couple made the same as each other.

[denise]

[nomadykaty]

like2answer, where did you hear that teachers at UGRU get between 1%-5% pay raise depending "extra" work they do?

This is one of the biggest gripes people have about working for UGRU, there is NO pay raise or increase every year.

What there is is an unofficial increase for some teachers who the university thinks they underpaid in the first place (100-300AED), but not everyone gets it and the ones who do, do not get it every year.

And this little "extra" work is something else entirely. Supposedly 33 teachers got roughly 7,000AED as a bonus this summer. No one knows why or what the criteria was except admin.

So, like2answer count your friends as very lucky indeed to get this unofficial pay raise because it's not across the board.

[Gordon]

[denise]

Thanks, Gordon!

I sent them an email asking for an explanation. I may call in a few days, too. I'm really curious!

d

[veiledsentiments]

Definitely give them a call Denise. As Gordon said, it may give a hint as to what this type of place is looking for. And... there could be a misunderstanding... or negotiation possibilities.

And you are in good company not making the cut at HCT.

Do you have an MA?

VS

[denise]

Yes, I do. Hmmmmm... I hope they'll tell me what the problem was!

d

[Tuttifruitti]

Definitely give them a call if you don't hear anything within a week or so, and as others have said, you are not alone! I have known people who were better qualified than the interviewers, who did not get a job. People have been 'screened out' for the most unusual reasons.

They WILL need teachers for the Feb semester, despite what they say now. If you know anybody working there, ask them to put in a word, or drop your CV on the right desk - often that's all it takes.

Good luck - if you still want it!

[Manny2]

Actually that is very good advice, as time passes and supervisors do not have the required teachers they are very happy to get reccomendations from other staff members and circumvent the official pool. I know quite a few people hired directly and two people who just fronted up to the college and asked to speak to the relevant supervisor. They got interviews and jobs.