Job Discussion Forums

[thebigeasy]

Hello everyone,

This is my first posting here.

I have been offered work with HCT/CERT and I was originally told I would be out in (probably) Abu Dhabi buy the beginning of January 2010. Well, suffice it to say, I am not.

Sending emails to the HR office at HCT does not seem to elicit any kind of response other than 'wait'.

That, in itself is normal, I know. However, in the meantime, I am getting other offers of work where the potential employer is saying 'let us know asap - yes or no'. I have kind of pinned my hopes on HCT/CERT and would like to work for them, however, they sure are dragging their heels.

So, my question: Has anybody else experienced delays of thsi kind before, and if so, just how long did it take for a final decison/start date to come through from the folks at HCT?

Many thanks and best wishes to all.

[adorabilly]

Big Easy.

You have one MAJOR problem.

HCT is now on winter break (starting today, thursday Jan 7th) and will continue until Sunday Jan 24th.

I would seriously doubt that their HR folks will be working the break and you may have to wait until AFTER Jan 24 before you hear anything.

That is typical for HR in the gulf.

Now they may want you, and you may have people getting back to you during the break... or not. <shurg>

[veiledsentiments]

I thought breaks were only for the academic people, not the staff. After all, they are there all summer dealing with new hires.

Have you tried an email lately? If they are responding, ask them straight out... not like it is a threat, but that if they will not be bringing you in this month, you will need to consider other offers that have come in... It seems a fair question. I repeat... word it carefully so that it won't look like a threat.

VS

[charisma_classic]

Our experience (with my husband applying for a job there) has been nothing but waiting. However, we did find that an e-mail asking for a straight answer usually illicited a response, even if that respons was asking us to wait a bit longer. It's always nice to know we haven't been forgotten!

Having been given the offer, we are now in contact with a number of staff members. Some of them will still be there over the break, but it is true that others have told us they are gone until near the end of the month.

I agree - send a very carefully worded e-mail.

[secretsquirrel]

In all honesty, if you get a better offer than the CERT one, I'd take it. My sources there tell me that it's not the most popular program to be on, especially the military and police programs, which tend to be disorganised and at times chaotic even.

Many teachers are keen to leave CERT, especially under its present supervisor, a faded glamor-puss whose only strength is her ability to bullshit endlessly. Even worse, one of the academic co-ordinators is a cranky old bag with a bogus PhD, and best avoided at all times!

[scrog_420]

Yes, you do have a problem. Unfortunately, this sort of cavalier attitude is typical of employers in the Middle East. They forget that they are dealing with people's lives. It really is unforgivable because these expat recruiters and decision makers were likely in the same position themselves once--desperate for a job, worried sick about how they were going to support themselves and their families. Once they get a job at HCT or elsewhere they get fat and comfortable. They buy cars they could never dream of affording back home and get used to exotic vacations in the Seychelles or China instead of Blackpool or the Wisconsin Dells. They become arrogant and complacent and forget where they came from.

My advice to you is to forget emailing. Get on the phone. Be polite but firm. You need to know what is happening now. You have nothing to apologize for--they do.

It would be tragic to turn down a good offer from another employer only to have your supposed offer from HCT fizzle out, which does happen. Don't take anything for granted with HCT/CERT. I would say whether you should accept one of these other offers depends on one, what response you get when you call HCT and two, what are these other offers? You may want to post some of the details so you can get some more specific advice from veterans.

You need to be proactive. Don't sit around waiting for an email, letter or phone call which may never come. I learned this the hard way. Good luck.

[seven seas]

[BrownSauce]

I would agree with most of the advice above. In fact, there's not much point in e-mailing the HR staff at HCT, as they're all just waiting for the big boss to give a definitive 'Yea' on 'Nay'.

I know this can be very frustrating, but it's the way things work in the UAE. Until the sleepy towel-head at the top of the tree gives the word, nobody will dare act, for fear of being thrown out of the tree (where the fruit is ripe and tasty).

[veiledsentiments]

So... the employees are to make the decisions on hiring without consulting the management? I haven't found that a healthy thing to do anywhere in the world in any kind of job. Presumably they prefer to remain employed rather than gamble that their decisions will be overruled. So it goes in the world of the employed... if one would rather not join the growing ranks of unemployed.

If you don't get an email answer, definitely call. Just remember that the person on the end of the phone is almost certainly not the one holding up the process. Be polite... in the Arab world, the old saying about honey and vinegar is even more true.

One problem with moving on to another offer is that one usually ends up in this same waiting game with the next Gulf employer on the list. Take care in accepting two offers in the same country at the same time, you will get into a work visa problem if two employers apply.

VS

[Afra]

HR maybe be working but they don't make decisions and almost everyone else is on holiday. If you have a firm offer elsewhere, take it.

[thebigeasy]

Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply.

Yes, I have phoned. Several times. Always the same story 'hold on a little longer'. I am beginning to get the feeling that they will not make me an offer for this academic year at all, and will wait for August 2010. Maybe...

Anyway, thanks again to all. Much obliged.

TBE

[Eisenhorn]

TBE.

You may be suprised. HR may very well call you once they have all of the incoming teachers sorted out. It is not uncommon for people to pass the interview and get into the pool, and get a call the week that classes start and a job offer.

Just hold on, hang out and relax. By all means put other CV's out there and check with other positions, but if you want HCT you might get an offer out of the blue in the next two weeks.

Typical HR in the Gulf.

[USAMATHMAN]

Big easy,

Great advice from previous post. I too am waiting for confirmation on job with HCT. I have been in contact with Human Resources since October and have been told to wait just as you have. I turned down a couple of decent offers in November, hoping that HCT would be ready for me to leave by beginning of January. I decided last week to go ahead and apply for a couple of other jobs just to be safe. Hopefully, you will hear some good news once everyone returns from break. Please keep posted on progress.

USA

[homeless vet]

If you have other offers, give HCT a deadline by which to make you an offer. If they do, great. If they don't, move on. If they don't want you bad enough to commit, why would you want to work for them?

[scrog_420]