Job Discussion Forums

dazedandconfuzzed · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

Hi All,
I'm looking for a contract in Saudi for Jan/Feb 2010, for 6 months if possible. Does anyone know anything about Alfac recruiters?

I saw their ad on Daves ESL job board, they advertise in lots of other places too. I've not had an interview (desperate or dodgy or both?) but they're offering me a job. I can't seem to find much info about them.

Here's something they sent me:

Alfaisal International Academy is part of the Arabian Education and Training Group in Saudi Arabia. AETG provides teaching services and consultations to five Saudi universities. Instructors will be working for AETG but teaching English in Saudi universities. Here is the website; it is in Arabic and the English website is under construction. www.alfac.edu.sa

Thanks

Linda467 · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 138 Location: A Secret

Check PNU or Princess Noura Uni threads - there is several now and you can find all kinds of controversial opinions there

My own experience is courteous and dilligent so far

Linda

allthatand · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 12

hey D&C: I work for Alfaisal at the moment. They offer 1 year contracts, renewable

They're not desperate, but have a lot of new positions that need to be filled in Riyadh, Baha and Dammam

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I have never heard of a 6 month contract in Saudi Arabia.

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject:

allthatand · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 12

of course, you could always accept the 1 year contract, and then just give your 2 months notice to leave before you wanna leave

johnslat · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:04 pm Post subject:

Dear allthatand,

"of course, you could always accept the 1 year contract, and then just give your 2 months notice to leave before you wanna leave."

Which is called "burning your bridges ahead of you" - usually not a good idea, especially if you might want to work in the Kingdom again someday.

Regards,
John

allthatand · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 12

true...you won't be able to work in KSA after doing that as Alfaisal are tough already to get a letter of no objection

reneebcc · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 60 Location: Georgia

So what would you do in a situation like that? For those that would stay long-term and deal with the treatment only to have a reference denied at the end can leave them to think twice. Furthermore, is the blacklist permanent or temporary? Would you notify your employer who may say yay/nay to your departure or would you just leave?

allthatand · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 12

well i would never leave 1 private company for another private company, as they all seem to be similar
but if you go from a private company to a government job, the private company cannot deny you a letter of no objection

dazedandconfuzzed · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

yes, they've offered a 12 month contract, though i only asked how long it'd be, not whether i could get 6months. It does say I could give 2 months notice, but yes, it'd be burning bridges. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks for the advice, all!

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:58 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

Dear Cleopatra,
I could be wrong (I was, once - back in 1952), but isn't that old stand-by, the "passport wash" obsolete now?
Haven't they instituted "retinal scans" or at least fingerprinting?
Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

I know people who have got Saudi visas very recently (London embassy) and they were not asked to do any retinal scans or fingerprints. Since NOCs are only required at embassy level, it would seem that for the moment, so long as your passport has no evidence of your having worked in KSA, you're still OK.

dazedandconfuzzed · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

i think if i finished the contract early I'd probably be fine not to go back. However, in the passport debate, I've got a biometric passport (along with most other British folk who got theirs past 2006). I've no idea what details of mine they hold other than it has a microchip they scan at airports so presumably stores my travel details on it and they'd be able to see where I've been. I'm quite sure Brits are not the only ones being tagged like this around the world.