Job Discussion Forums

[lovehappens]

I had to experience it to learn. Globnet is a BIG no when it comes to recruiters. Forget Globnet. I'd read the warnings on here about the recruiters but the guy I was dealing with seemed so "nice".

So what is the problem? I signed the offer, did the interviewing, accepted the job, negotiated the contract but then they would not answer my direct questions. I ask. They don't answer. I ask again. They write back without answering my questions via emails back and forth on and on.

They just keep moving the process along without answering the specific questions I had asked them. It occurs to me that they must of had success getting English professors this way before. Do the really think this lowly of us? Do they believe we foreigners are so desperate we will blindly jump on the next plane without our questions answered? They do.
It seems like they think I will just get excited about it all and come on over. Nope I want my questions answered first.

It's a good thing I was insistent, because finally I found out that what they said they would do they had not included after all.

I'm sorry that they have such a low opinion of us, as if we, the foreigners will accept any little ol' deal
Folks we all need to stick together get the bar up there where it belongs.
(written in the heat of the moment)

[alter ego]

[lovehappens]

Alter ego-Obviously you are either working with the recruits or have some other self interest here. OK maybe you do just believe in passivity. I also think there is a time for passivity but not when there is a need for changes.

The world has been reorganized because we all have allowed those who have grabbed power to do what they please. Many work at jobs where they are disrespected, taken advantage of and struggle with finances.

Those who have worked in this country for many years have been screaming on these boards to not work for these recruiters. NO one seems to listen and now the recruiters have become the ones who, hire and sign the checks. And if you think that is a good thing, just browse this forum. It is NOT OK to have delayed checks, get stuck with airfares, get abandoned on arrival and the numerous other complaints that are on this board and many others. People have called the recruiters just about every name feasible. Not that many people can be wrong!

Look at the world today, the passivity of the working class has only helped those who have "much" get more, bigger and better. Until people cultivate courage, take a stand for equality, rights and respect those of power will take. They will take from you, me and every other small worker who will not find their own backbone.
Historically professors have been catylists (sp) for change. Why stop now?
I say take a stand. Speak up and Believe!

[jdl]

Perhaps potential employers are turned off by a sense of moral superiority and the ethos of the "North American burden' that many expats bring to their work and host country?

[runninggirl]

I would hope that most N. Americans, Brits and others would not be ethnocentric in their dealings. Where ever I live or travel I try to remember that I am representative of my culture and I am there to learn about their lifestyle.
Yet I see no reason for people to accept low wages or unfair treatment. We Americans may be the new basket makers of the century but we do have the knowledge of fairness. That knowledge should also be applied to ourselves as well as others. NO need to be passive about the pursuit of fair pay and rights

[johnslat]

Dear jdl,

" . . . moral superiority and the ethos of the "North American burden'"

a burden not confined to "North America/North Americans," as Rudyard knew well:

"Take up the White Man's burden--
Send forth the best ye breed--
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives' need;
To wait in heavy harness,
On fluttered folk and wild--
Your new-caught, sullen peoples,
Half-devil and half-child."

Regards,
Unburdened John

[jdl]

Ah yes, another century, another geo politcal reality, same burden.

I guess there are more constants in life than death and taxes? I find death and taxes to be quit enough.

[Jackdaw14]

Thanks for the replies about Recruitment Companies. It seems that the 3 major companies for MOM ie. CECN, Bahwan Cybertek and Globenet are much the same. It looks like 'you pay your money, and take your chances'. If I (or anyone else) want to work for The Colleges of Technology I guess they are much of a muchness.

[Poetic Justice]

All the recruiting companies or agencies in Oman are the same, save for very minor differences. I've checked into the big three--CECN, Bahwan Cybertek, and Globenet--and they're all the same. They get paid an amount by the Ministry of Manpower to provide a teacher, they take a portion of that amount, and they give the rest to the teacher. It's always better to get a job directly through the schools. However, this may be more time consuming.

[veiledsentiments]

The problem is that at this point none of those schools seem to be doing any direct hiring... or it seems to be rare as hen's teeth per what is posted here.

VS

[Poetic Justice]

I've heard that as well. But I also know of somebody who just got a job offer there at a gig in Muscat. He interviewed on site and got the job directly through the school, so it's possible.

[veiledsentiments]

Perhaps you have to be in country to do it... already working there. Or know someone...

VS

[StampLover]

Having been a faithful employee of Globenet for 2 years I can sum up some of the issues:
1) Yes, you will make less with globenet than other agencies.
2) No, is ever forced to take a flat of theirs, so much so that they are getting rid of them for lack of renters.
3)ALWAYS paid on time. and for the correct amount. I know some agencies this may be an issue
4) Passport will be kept UNLESS you threaten to call your embassy. Most if not ALL, native speakers have theirs. We are willing to speak up while the non-natives will not.
5) Anytime I have had or needed something from them, I have gotten it quickly, i.e. liquor permit, driving permit, salary sheet.
6) the original creator of this thread was a problem from day one. I know, I sat next to her at the office. Who goes to a country and refuses to hand over the passport for at least a day. ALL countries require a passport to be presented for proper immigration procedures.
7)Having numerous friends throughout MOM as well as private college, ICT is pretty highly functioning. New HOD, old useless staff gone and most everyone actually trying to educate.
Bottom line- Globenet is NO worse than any other agency and ICT is a pretty decent college to work for. Very high retention rate with native and non-native teachers.

[StampLover]

Forgot one thing.

Look at the dates of these posts, anything beyong 2008 is purely irrelevant. Comments like "Not sure how it is now BUT when I worked there...." if you have worked in a place more than 2 years ago, it most likely has changed and evolved. Stick to what you know is currently true.

[veiledsentiments]

True because of the high turnover rates in both teachers and management at these smaller colleges. But a caveat is that it can go both ways... the bad places can improve and the good places can go down the tubes.

But... this thread is all dated 2010 on my machine. I would doubt that much has changed since April. If a place has big problems, it usually takes at least two years to turn around. Just general advice...

VS