Job Discussion Forums

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

The phones were down completely for a week because of road construction near the college. This also affected their internet access. They are now in the process of catching up. I suspect that interviews are not the top priority in the middle of the semester. There is no large HR department to jump to your every whim and demand. They also read this board. Rants do not leave positive impressions...

VS

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

How did you become so good at having all the answers to everything going on in Oman? How would you know if "they" read this board? Who are they, anyway, your close friend? If you have a friend there and you know so much about what's going on, why not include some useful info that others here can use to make an informed decision about taking a job there?

This college posted job ads at least one month ago for short course positions beginning at the end of March or beginning of April. It's now the middle of March. If the phones have been down for a week, and you say this affected their internet access, why did I receive an email from them on March 13th? That sounds pretty fishy to me.

And why does what I write here need to leave a positive impression on anyone at Oman Tourism College? What I write here is supposed to be anonymous, isn't it? What you wrote sounded like some a veiled threat, like I should be careful of what I write. That's a laugh, really. My posts here have been on topic, and my own impressions how the hiring and interview process went for me. And yet you still have the smugness to suggest my impressions of them are less important than their impressions of me.

Of course I've already decided not to take a job there, so I could care less what you or anyone at OTC thinks of my so-called mild rant, which I admitted to in the first place. And I must also admit that you're one tough headmaster. I guess now I'll have to stay after class and write 100 times on the board: I shall not question the hiring practices of any colleges in Oman, I shall not question the hiring practices of any colleges in Oman... Laughing

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

Obviously you don't read well. I already posted that I knew people there. People that I have known for about 20 years and worked with for some years. Who they are is NOYFB. People who are polite often get answers to specific questions if I can get the details... people who insult and demand get exactly what they deserve...

Everyone in the Gulf is aware of this board and many read it. You are dead easy to identify. How many of their applicants are from China do you think? You even provided them with part of the emails you received. Your posting history is available for anyone to read.

Needless to say if you still wanted the job, I sincerely doubt that you would be getting an offer. They don't need people with attitudes like yours.

Good luck in your future endeavors.

VS

Buffalo Boy · Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 80

I got my interview rescheduled for next Saturday. They also gave some clarifications about the phone and timetable problems. The position starts in September.

The pay is in the $3000 range- will this be enough to live on in Muscat? I have a wife and preschool age son.

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

Is this the total package or do you have to pay the rent out of that amount?

Either way you should be able to live on it and save some. It always depends on lifestyle, of course. What would take a big bite out of it would be also paying your son's school fees out of that amount once he hits school age.

Good Luck on the interview.

VS

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

"Everyone in the Gulf is aware of this board and many read it"

Are you sure?

My experiences have been that most people dismiss it with a shrug. I've just come back from TESOL Arabia 2010, where I used selected quotes from some of the more off-the-wall posts.

Judging by the laughter, this material was entirely new to the audience....
...as it was when I did the same thing, with different material, at the SQU Research Symposium last month.

People on Dave's often suffer from the frog-in-the-well syndrome. They think that the sky is as big as the mouth of the well.

boundforsaudi · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 243

Sure they were laughing with you and not at you?

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

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

Luckily I didn't have to do anything to ruin your chances Mr AlterEgo... you take care of that yourself and a fine job you did.

Basically the main group of people who spend time on this board are those who are looking for a job. Just keep thinking that managements around the Gulf don't read this board and continue to be yourself... polite and gentlemanly at all times. Rolling Eyes

It isn't my responsibility to provide you or anyone else with every tiny detail of the conditions of every employer in the Gulf. That is what interviews are for if you manage to get that far. People who are polite will often move me to do some emails for them... but for people who demand... not a chance.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:30 pm Post subject:

My experience of the Middle East (20 years worth) demonstrated to me time and time again the value of this old adage:

"You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar."

Leaving aside for the moment the question of who would want more flies, I saw so many examples of teachers who thought aggressiveness and pushiness would get them what they wanted.

I never saw that work.

On the other hand, politeness, courtesy, a smile, a genial attitude would often open many doors.

Of course, if it's not in one's nature to be this sort of person, I suppose a certain amount of hypocrisy would be required, but for those who are easy-going and considerate to begin with, it just comes naturally.

Regards,
John