Job Discussion Forums

[ChrisV]

First of all, let me extend a big 'thank you' to all those who have supplied me with info so far--it's been extremely helpful.

Still two more things I wanted to ask about:

a) HCT specifies an email address that applications should be made to, but doesn't, in the advert, say what one should send as an application. Could anybody help me out with that? Is it a CV-and-three-referees sort of thing?

b) Is there a standard holiday allowance at UAE unis? The only one I could find that lists its holiday allowance is UoS, at 60 days. Is that a normal allowance?

Thanks,

Chris

[Tuttifruitti]

I'm not sure how it works now, have you looked at the HCT website, or was the job advertised somewhere else?

On the site, http://recruit.hct.ac.ae/apply_for_a_job.asp it looks like you have to fill a profile first. When I applied, there was a really annoying application form to fill first, no CV, but the form did include everything you'd put on a CV. Maybe that comes after the profile? Somebody who applied recently might be better able to help with this.

As for holidays, HCT gives 48 days per year (used to be 61 including weekend days) plus the religious and other national holidays. I think Zayed Uni and Al Ain University are the same. These days are usually taken in January (2 weeks) and in summer. I'm not sure about other universities, but I think this is about usual.

[NadiaK]

TF, I don't think it's followed by a CV - online is it. I tried to avoid the horrible online application by submitting a CV (when I applied, the website gave two alternatives) but I still had to fill in the form before I could be screened in for an interview. Same thing happened to a friend who applied last year, so I don't think there's any way around it.

Chris, if 60 days is calendar days, then yes it's about normal. If it's working days, then it's significantly higher than the govt institutions (as per TF's message).

[Harriet]

Zayed's application works the same way as HCT's. You have to fill in a rather tedious on-line application.

Re vacation: they give 45 days off in the English department (that is, nine working weeks. They don't call it 'vacation'; they're non-accountable days), plus the Islamic holidays all government workers get.

[Alecca]

The application is not only tedious but if you don't have say something like a certification/licensure, you cannot complete it either (or you have to fudge something a little to do so).

[Manny2]

Yes the HCT online application has some technical problems , in addition to what Alecca says my friend who is single and despite putting that in to the personal details 'had' later to fill in the details of a non existant spouse as it was not allowed to leave this section blank. And what about all those 'about you' questions like "what is your greatest achievement in life to date and why is it so ?"You can upload a CV and photo but I am not sure whether either of these are required.

As far as ZU is concerned you must attach a CV plus statements regarding your undergrad teaching philosophy and scholarly interests as they may relate to teaching in the Middle East.

M

[Gordon]

[NadiaK]

G, my suggestion would be something pertaining to teaching reading and writing, as students in this region typically have more problems in these areas than in others (not sure if other teachers would agree with me, though).

[Gordon]

[Iamherebecause]

Lets get back to holidays, because once you get the job you want to have time off.
There is no standard allowance - HCT seems to get a fair bit less than UAEU for example. At UAEU it says 60 days in the Summer but as this was always leave on a Monday, sign in on a Sunday it could never be 60 days - just do the arithmetic. The break between the semesters varies from place to place too, and at UAEU it has been eroded a lot from 5 weeks down to less than three.
One positive change is that some institutions now announce time off for Islamic holidays more than 2-3 days in advance. And the days of not granting Islamic holiday entitlement (and sacking people post-hoc for taking the time off) seem to be over.

[NadiaK]

Ooh, I want to work for UAEU! Iamhere, what's the actual current holiday allowance there, annually?

[nomadykaty]

Most of us at UAEU base are plans around the HCT schedule, i.e., you guys seem to know when the Islamic holidays will take place.

We seem to start our summer vacation a week early than HCT but until this year, we also had to come back a week early to sign in.

So HCTers- what's the deal with this Eid or National Day. Come on, spill the beans and put us out of are misery, so we can make our plans

I don't actually know how many days we get off-may be Iamherebecause does

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

Looks like you're on holiday already, Nomady ...

[Iamherebecause]

Iamherebecause I like the holidays. Iwasherebecause I liked the salary too, but it ain't that great any more. And the holidays seem to be eroding away.

Now, does ANYONE on here know what the public sector will get for National Day this year? Because it falls on a weekend. Place your bets - no extra days? Sunday off? Or what? I shouldn't have said anything about how we get better notice of these things, tempting fate obviously.

[NadiaK]

My bet is...at least Sunday off (because as far as I remember, which is not very far so don't hold your breath, both 2nd and 3rd are annual holidays). I reckon we might also get Monday off in lieu.

I also reckon we'll get a week off for the Eid.