Job Discussion Forums

[huriyyahsmum]

I interviewed today with ADEC reps in NYC. I was offered a position (and accepted). However, I have a few questions:

1. The "recommended" salary wasn't put on this initial contract. I was told that it might be higher but not lower. Can I trust that they won't switch up with me?
2. Can I trust that this contract means that I'm really hired?

[Zoot]

Make certain you know what the salary will be before you leave your current employer.

[sciencegirl]

thanks for the heads up-my interview is Sat. in chicago

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[huriyyahsmum]

Again, I need to give notice to my current employer. Can I feel confident that they won't back out of this contract at the last minute? Should I email and ask for the salary recommendation to be put in writing (wasn't listed on the provisional contract)? Please anyone with history/knowledge about ADEC practices respond.

[Zoot]

You cannot feel confident about anything that may or may not be done about anything in the ME. Until you have your contract from the MoL, you cannot be certain you have a job and even then, you can be let go on a whim as has been said on these forums many times in the past.

[007]

[GlobalDawg]

[sciencegirl]

Ten years ago, my anxieties were high as I prepared to depart. I had a lot of questions and no answers. But, once I arrived everything fell into place. The way things were done was still frustrating but interacting in real time (face to face) made for better clarity and less anxiety. Right now, I suggest that you just take it easy and prepare to leave. Take care of personal matters and grab a few books on the Middle East and travel destinations of interest in this part of the world.[/quote]

My anxieties are high and I haven't even interviewed yet.

[lorientravel]

I just interviewed in Vancouver yesterday and I got the job working for the ADEC teaching grades 1 and 2.

I'm so happy!!! Great salary, great job, great benefits, it all looks just great.

So now I guess it's time to starting getting ready for a big move.

Does anyone have any good suggestions for books I could read or resources I could look at to get myself ready for moving, living in Abu Dhabi, and teaching in grades 1 and 2 over there?

Lorien

[helenl]

To be honest, I've never heard of getting a provisional contract or any letter of offer (what I've always gotten before I arrived in country) without a firm salary figure included. ADEC, from what I've heard, should be fairly reliable employer in that regard (some have other issues with them as you've seen on these forums).

However, for myself, I would want the number in writing in the correspondence before I left home - that's the business person in me I guess. I would find it unsettling (being a naturally born worry wart) not to have something on paper. JMHO

[Zoot]

Congratulations! Anything that is used in the Kindergarten system in Canada would be suitable for Grades 1 & 2 in the UAE. Remember, they're using Arabic at home most of the time and English is a new experience for them. Bear in mind that formal education as we understand it in the west has only been in place since the 1950s and that will help you to understand the technicalities of working here. Also, think about what your students will be like. Few have hands-on care from their parents - it's usually the Asian housemaid who raises them, money is no object and the parents have no concern about calling the Shaikh if they're not happy with the school. Get your head around all that, and you'll be fine. Make sure you bring your Driver's Licence with you and have your highest degree qualification attested asap. Also, carry lots of passport size pics with you. Bring patience by the truckload and you'll survive the first year without too much grey hair growing . Good luck.

[Splitting Hairs]

http://www.uaeinteract.com/
Is a good starting point

[huriyyahsmum]

Congrats Lorentravel! My husband and I also received contracts with a good salary and bennies -minus the educational allowance . I have a few options in regards to this. I agree with many of the posters that I will not leave until I receive a contract with the agreed upon salary included. I've been reassured by K. that once they return to UAE (sometime this weekend or early next week) updated contracts will be emailed. The thought process is that these salaries are "recommended" and that they must receive final approval. He also assured me that they (ADEC) never go lower than what's recommended. Does anyone have any experience that would contradict this? Does this sound typical for UAE/ADEC?

[Rawdata]

It has been my experience (re: contracts and other issues) that in the GCC if something can go wrong, it quite often does. I signed a contract that I sent back to the employer and heard nothing from until I phoned them. I never got on the plane and they would not have told me had I not asked. Reason: I asked questions about obtaining a certain mediation, they told me I would not pass their medical...end of story.

Never mind that this should have been mentioned at the end of the interview. It could have saved everyone concerned a lot of trouble. Anyway,I later found out that its one of the worst places to work in the GCC (that means it has to be really bad) but that's beside the point.

Don't only look at the money aspect, other stuff can be a problem too like your getting a clearance. Like getting a labour /residency card. Without such a doc you can't do much and eventually you'd have to leave. Other things can go awry as well. Of course most of those you would only know about AFTER having made the move.

Do what the wiser members have already told you. Get a contract in hand which is signed and with figures, send them their copy back via courier and wait for the PTA or whichever method they use to get you there. If this is your first GCC contract, you'll find it probably very vague but that's pretty well the norm.

RD