Job Discussion Forums

[Qalbi]

Wondering why HCT rejected my application without an interview. I'm MA TESOL, 3 years full time uni teaching in Gulf and eslewhere, many years as an adjunct, good references, etc. BUT I'm 60 years old. Too old?

[veiledsentiments]

Probably...

VS

[kiefer]

Few places in this region keep teachers on past 60--there are exceptions based on need and year-by-year renewal. I'm not sure, but I believe locals retire from civil service jobs before 60.

The only exceptions might be KSA military contracts where spirited young men (with their young men hormones) sometimes lead to a sudden lack of a teacher after a long weekend in BKK. There, over-60 is sometimes considered a safe hire because over-60 is often content spending their weekends watching the History channel and they can be relied upon to be there for the bus or car pool come Saturday morning.

[veiledsentiments]

Actually I know a few people who are working in universities in Oman, the UAE and Qatar. The catch is to have been hired long before you turned 60 and to still have your wits about you.

Qalbi... you might try some of the smaller private universities in Oman or the UAE. Their pay is less, so they often have to spread their nets further to find teachers.

VS

[adorabilly]

Qalbi.

It could be your age, or it could just be HCT's bizarre online screening process.

I know numerous people who are fully qualified for positions with HCT, who are "screened out" of the screening process. Some for valid reasons, and some who are OVER qualified but they don't get through it.

I have a friend here who now works for HCT and has for a while, but he told me a while back it took "three or four years" to get through the screening process just to get interviewed.

[Afra]

For a first contract, you normally have to be below 60, maybe 58 maximum. After that, if you are fit, healthy and doing the job, there isn't usually a problem. They offer one year contracts over 65 based on an annual medical.

[Sheikh N Bake]

When I was 45 I had two master's degrees in relevant fields and ten years' full-time international experience, including three years in the Gulf (KSA). HCT did not accept me at that time. They did two years later. While your age may not help, it may well have not been a deciding factor...except Afra's information is interesting and is quite clear, if true.

[D. Merit]

I agree with adorabilly.

There really is no point in speculating about why one might have been rejected by HCT.

[sundrieddate]

I hear the fee for a work visa increases quite a bit for folks over 60, and also the mdeical insurance is threefold.

I'm not saying this is a reason - hard to guess as pointed out - but it makes logical sense. Hmmm .... logic

[sanddweller]

I know esl teachers at ZU that were in their 60s, 70s and even pushing 80. If it is an HCT policy, it doesn't seem to apply to ZU. That being said, there seems now to be a push for more techno-savvy teachers. Being older, one may be stereotyped as a bit outdated with technology. I think it is probably a bias rather than policy.

[bluecatbabe]

Same thing has happened to my husband, who was 60 when we both applied a couple of years back. Basically, if you are starting out at 60+, they are unlikely to give you a full visa package. If you are in the job already you can be renewed. If you are here on a partner's visa (as my husband is here on my visa) you might get a 3 year contract if they have already got to know you.

We came on my visa, my husband worked for HCT as an adjunct and was asked to apply for a contract on one of the less mainstream programs, but instead has taken work elsewhere.