Job Discussion Forums

jim6169 · Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 19

Hi all,
Just under 2 weeks ago I received an offer of employment. I signed it and sent it back. I've heard nothing since from the university, is this the norm? I'm not going through an agent, I'm being hired directly from the university, does that make a difference?

johnslat · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:54 am Post subject:

Dear jim6169,
I'm assuming you sent it back by snail mail, but even "express" snail mail
(i.e FedEx, UP) can take a about a week to arrive. Not hearing anything for two weeks is not unusual; things tend to move sloooowly in the Kingdom.
But if you have an e-mail contact or a phone number, you could message or call to check it it's arrived.
Regards,
John

jim6169 · Joined: 17 Feb 2009 Posts: 19

I scanned it and emailed it back.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject:

Depends on the university. With the one that I work for, it could take them weeks or even months to get back to you. It's probably not lack of interest on their part, but more of a sign of general incompetence. Good luck to you.

nomi · Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 9

ur lucky, atleast u got the offer in the form of email. i have only recieved oral confirmation on telephone. i went to the unversity my self even, as i live in the same city. they said it will take time. but at the moment we cannot give u any paper or contract. is it normal? some body please help me.

Alyosha · Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 6 Location: KSA

Yes, it takes ages. It will take ages for them to acknowledge that you accepted the offer, then it will take ages before for them to send you a visa number. If you email them with specific questions it will probably take ages to hear back.

Five months passed from the time I applied to the time I arrived, and most of my colleagues are extremely jealous.

If you got the offer you most likely got the job so just be sure to do your part quickly, relax, read the forums, pester everybody you can, and let the months roll by.

freesoul · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject:

You guys above are talking about a sort of response after signing an offer of employment, but no one mentioned or specified the typical stage that is supposed to come next.

I reckon what comes next is sending you the visa; once that is ready, they will communicate with you further.

I think the only email that you might get between the contract signing and informing you that your visa is ready to collect at the Saudi embassy somewhere is to express their gratitude and them being thrilled that you accepted their offer!!!

zanoubia · Joined: 26 Apr 2009 Posts: 32

nomi · Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 9

thanks alyosha but the problem with me is that i have not even recieved the cotract or the offer yet on paper, verbaly they tld me that i have been appointed but i dont have any thing on paper, i dont know what to do. i cannot go to my country with out any thing in my hand. and they are saying that u go back and saudi embassy will contact u. there is no time left just like u said. i dont know what to do. Question

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Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject:

noni,

If it's any consolation, bear in mind that a verbal offer can mean at least as much as a written offer here. My guess is that if they said you have a job and that they will apply for a visa for you, they very likely will. However, I can understand your worries - I'd feel the same if I were in your situation. Perhaps you could call again and say you've received another offer and need to have theirs in writing? If they don't cooperate, there's probably little you can do and trying to pressure them will only backfire.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject:

I'm reminded of this quote:

"A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on."

Samuel Goldwyn? Yogi Berra?

Regards,
John

nomi · Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 9

thanks cleo, its a relief after reading what u wrote. i think ur working in the university. i told them that i have a very good offer ( i realy got a very good offer from a college, but the only problem was that they could not give me sponcership for the next few months and the salary that they offer was for than the one university will offer me). i told them about the offer and what they were offering me, they suggested that i should refuse them because i have been selected but it will take time i the paper work. but they are not going to give me any paper at the moment, and that i have to go back to my country, and i will recieve every thing there.now what to do??????

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:21 pm Post subject:

Sounds to me that they perhaps think you are requesting your full contract here and now, when what you want - if I'm correct - is simply a formal, written job offer. Perhaps that is why they are telling you that they won't send you anything until you are in your own country - it's the norm to get the full contract as part of the visa application process.

Maybe if you make it clear to them that all you want is an offer in writing - not the actual contract - they will oblige? If they won't, there probably isn't much you can do.

tefl2010 · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 19 Location: USA

A warning to all my TEFL colleagues!!!
I was offered a job at KSU by Bell recruiters and now with all changes there�they have just told me that they offer is not valid anymore. Take care!! I have left a good job in order to join this project and finally was treated with this lack of consideration.