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dpjq
Joined: 24 Aug 2010
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:35 pm Post subject: HCT insider secrets? |
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I've gleaned a great deal of helpful info from this site, and want to extend some gratitude up front to those who have taken the time to help others with queries.
I have an interview with HCT, and they sound like a great school. I wonder if someone could shed some light on a couple issues, though.
1. I've got an MBA and almost 10 years of experience teaching business subjects at the collegiate level. However, I'm not sure where that puts me in terms of their quoted 13-18K AED salary range. If offered a position, what might be reasonable?
2. I'm curious about the workload...is HCT a 40hr/wk type place?
3. What are accommodations like? Is housing negotiable? It is possible/wise to take an allowance instead?
4. They're asking about past salary info, and I'm not terribly comfortable with sharing this with a prospective employer...Any advice on how to handle this without irritating the interviewers?
5. Anything from the 'Stuff I wish I'd have known before interviewing with/working for HCT' files?
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by dpjq on Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:12 am; edited 4 times in total |
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adorabilly
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 430
Location: Ras Al Khaimah
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:48 am Post subject: Re: HCT insider secrets? |
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I don't know if this will post... my connection has been wonky lately.
And you need to take my answers with a grain of salt as I don't work for HCT (my wife does though)
| dpjq wrote: |
I've gleaned a great deal of helpful info from this site, and want to extend some gratitude up front to those who have taken the time to help others with queries.
I have an interview with HCT next week, and I think I've gleaned a good deal about their interview questions, but I'm taken aback by a couple things, and I wonder if someone could shed some light on the issue(s).
1. However, I'm not sure where that puts me in terms of their quoted 13-18K AED salary range. If offered a position, what might be reasonable?
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So you are a applying as a content teacher... with 10ish years of expereience and an MBA... Content teachers generally get paid more than EFL/ESL folks at HCT.
Your phd probably won't be factored inot your starting salary... But I think something near 15-16K a month would be fairish and close to what they would offer.
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2. I'm curious about the workload...is HCT really a 40hr/wk type place?
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This is a fairly standard reply to most of your questions, so don't take offense. But it depends on which branch you are working at and how seriously they take the "workweek."
in some branches we have heard of people coming in at 8 and being done by 3... and in some places you have supervisors who watch you come in to the minute, and then expect you to stay until 5pm.
so it depends.
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3. What are accommodations like? I've got a wife and a baby boy; we don't expect extreme luxury, but we do live in a rather nice setting in a spacious Georgian flat, and I don't think any of us would be particularly happy living right next to the mosque's loudspeaker. Is housing negotiable? It is possible/wise to take an allowance instead?
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As with above. It depends on which branch you are at and what emirate you are in. In the smaller emirates you have larger housing. (when we came 4 years back, single teachers were given 3 bedroom villas in RAK. And we know some folks who are still gettting large villas as singles), but I also know people in dubai who are offered 2 bedroom flats. So it depends.
You will hear mosques no matter where you live as they seem to be at least one on every block... you get used to it.
Housing can be negotiable, but remember in the HCT system it is first come first serve and they have limited numbers of villas/flats that they have to put you in.
You can take the allowance... it is a pretty sticky problem. When we came (before the stock market meltdown), I would have told you no don't take the allowance as the rental prices were through the roof (a good example is our compound... the going rate for outsiders to rent was at 110K AED per year, but hct had a contract for under 70 for the same villas...
Last year the prices had dropped significantly, and you can find cheap housing... but you have to look for it and it may be a crap shoot... what if the prices go up next year? If you are in HCT housing, they will continue to pay the housing allowance even if it is above your contracted amount... but if you opt out, you are on your own.
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4. They're asking about past salary info, and I'm not terribly comfortable with sharing this with a prospective employer...I don't see the logic behind the question, aside from a desire to peg someone as either cheap labour or too expensive. Any advice on how to handle this without irritating the interviewers?
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sorry no advice. Don't know. But I concur, it may allow HR to lowball you.
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5. Anything from the 'Stuff I wish I'd have known before interviewing with/working for HCT' files?
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Some branches are hell, some are good. Take a look at adwcamp dot blogspot dot com and see for yourself.
Last edited by adorabilly on Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:57 am; edited 2 times in total |
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adorabilly
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 430
Location: Ras Al Khaimah
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 1:52 am Post subject: Re: HCT insider secrets? |
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| dpjq wrote: |
5. Anything from the 'Stuff I wish I'd have known before interviewing with/working for HCT' files?
Thanks in advance! |
Oh... and guard your online identity closely... there are folks at HCT who will try to find out who you are, and then you may have problems from HCT management.
People who post here have been blackballed from employment, or have been released because of what they have written daves or other places. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 2:16 am Post subject: |
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In other words, if your screen name is easily tied to your real name, change your screen name before posting again.
They are especially paranoid right now because of the current posts here and on blogspot. There has been a major meltdown at the Abu Dhabi branches. That said, most of the issues tend to be in the EFL departments. Things are usually calmer in the content courses.
VS
(as to housing... the minimum is a nice two bedroom flat. Take what they provide rather than heading out on your own with an allowance. That is for people who have extensive experience in the country and know what they are doing.  If problems occur in your flat, you can usually move at the next academic year into a unit that a leaving teacher had...) |
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dpjq
Joined: 24 Aug 2010
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for your insight guys...they seem like nice enough people at HCT, and I would never badmouth an employer...I'm just trying to get a better picture of life in the UAE and the culture and hiring practices at institutions there. I'm not in Kansas anymore, as they say.
Could I follow up with asking what the avg cost of living expenses might be--2 adults and a baby? I'm assuming we'd eat out a few times/week at moderately-priced establishments, use aircon 24/7, join a swimming club of some sort, not sure what I'm forgetting...probably won't buy a car...actually, should we buy one?
Again, greatly appreciated |
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adorabilly
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 430
Location: Ras Al Khaimah
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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My wonky it sucks a lot internet connection has dropped my reply 4x... lets see if this gets through.
| dpjq wrote: |
Thanks for your insight guys...they seem like nice enough people at HCT, and I would never badmouth an employer...I'm just trying to get a better picture of life in the UAE and the culture and hiring practices at institutions there. I'm not in Kansas anymore, as they say.
Could I follow up with asking what the avg cost of living expenses might be--2 adults and a baby?
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This like my previous reply is "it depends." On which emirate you live in, and where you intend to go, do, spend. The cost is different in each emirate with different levels of inflation, area costs, etc... It also depends on where you will be going out to... we go out to places were the full family (the 5 of us) eat a full dinner for less than 80 Aed (a decent pakistani/indian place), but I also know that when we go to Chili's the price is up to 300 AED...
And I can't tell you what 2+ baby is equal to, but I can tell you that 5 (2+3 teenagers) and we still save about 40% of my wifes salary.
your housing will be included, so that leaves food, utilities (including cell phone, and internet), petrol/insurance/car payment.
It is possible for you to save about 1/2 of your salary if you are being very thrifty, but you soudl be able to save at least 1/4 even if you aren't trying.
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I'm assuming we'd eat out a few times/week at moderately-priced establishments,
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see above... chili's vs local places... you can eat very well very cheaply if you are open to experiment and look for those places
everyone here does... and utility costs are as variable as everthing else... the cost of your utilites in Dubai is different from your costs in RAK, FUJ etc...
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join a swimming club of some sort,
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Most people join some sort of club for that reason... but like the above you will have VASTLY different pricing options...
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not sure what I'm forgetting...probably won't buy a car...actually, should we buy one?
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You will probably want one. You can't get one until you have your resident visas (sometime in october), but you can look before then and can even rent from several places in each emirate.
If you ahve a baby, do you want your wife standing around in 45C weather hailing a taxi? probably not... Public transit throughout the UAE sucks....
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Again, greatly appreciated |
No hu hu. At one point or another all of us did the same thing... |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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| adorabilly wrote: |
If you ahve a baby, do you want your wife standing around in 45C weather hailing a taxi? probably not... Public transit throughout the UAE sucks....
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Not to mention oneself. You normally arrive in August... when the temps outside are in the 120/45+ range with breathtakingly high humidity (everywhere but Al-Ain or MZ). At certain time periods, one might have to stand there... in the sun... pouring sweat (at 7:00 am)... for 20-30 minutes. You arrive at work feeling like a limp dishrag.
I can't tell you how quickly that becomes old. Personally I considered a car a necessity, not a luxury... and that is even more true with a family. Some lease and most buy. If you are staying more than two years, buying makes more financial sense. Be sure to take current driving licenses with a year or more to run and an insurance "no claims" letter if you can get one.
If you arrive for the 2nd semester, the weather is beautiful and taxis are tolerable. Then you can perhaps pick up a used car from a teacher who is leaving.
VS |
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Sheikh N Bake
Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 1307
Location: Dis ting of ours
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| Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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Several times on these boards, by the way, I presented calculations comparing the cost of buying a used car and leasing.
Long story short:
1. Cars are not expensive in the Emirates, although you can't find $1500 specials like you can in the States. At least not ones that will run and have a working a/c.
2. Staying two years or less? Lease. Staying longer? Definitely buy a used car--you'll save a lot, not least because certain models have a good resale value.
"Probably won't buy a car"?? Good heavens. What VS said. |
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Gus Barkley
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Posts: 78
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| Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 4:47 pm Post subject: Re: Hiring process and pay |
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| HCT was very quick in interviewing and making an offer for me to teach in a content area. (Two weeks from the time I applied I had been interviewed and e-mailed an offer.) I've read this board for two years and from what I've read that's lightning speed. The offer was slightly below what my ESL colleagues make but considering it is tax free it was much higher than my pay in the states. |
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dpjq
Joined: 24 Aug 2010
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks goombah. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: Hiring process and pay |
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| Gus Barkley wrote: |
| HCT was very quick in interviewing and making an offer for me to teach in a content area. (Two weeks from the time I applied I had been interviewed and e-mailed an offer.) I've read this board for two years and from what I've read that's lightning speed. The offer was slightly below what my ESL colleagues make but considering it is tax free it was much higher than my pay in the states. |
Is the college, perchance, the one that has had great mention lately on this board?
NCTBA |
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Gus Barkley
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Posts: 78
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| Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:50 am Post subject: Re: Hiring process and pay |
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| AD? No. The offer was Sharjah. Having read what I read on here I asked the person who was to be my boss, "Do I have anything to be worried about?" I was assured I'd be left alone and that no indiscriminate dismissals had occurred in our area. While I found that somewhat reassuring, the promise of a 40 hour work week on campus (not including the one hour lunch each day) plus a 1 hour commute each way led me to turn down the offer. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: Hiring process and pay |
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| Gus Barkley wrote: |
| While I found that somewhat reassuring, the promise of a 40 hour work week on campus (not including the one hour lunch each day) plus a 1 hour commute each way led me to turn down the offer. |
Content area usually hires more quickly than EFL merely from the numbers of openings versus applicants. I may hold the record for speed of hiring... direct phone interview with Head and Director the last day of one week (faxed them my papers) and got the offer faxed back the first day of the next week, so it was a whole 4 days. It's not who you are, it's who you know. 
But I'm wondering about the one hour commute. Were they planning to house you in Dubai or something?
VS |
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Gus Barkley
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Posts: 78
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| Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:29 pm Post subject: Re: Hiring process and pay |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
But I'm wondering about the one hour commute. Were they planning to house you in Dubai or something?
VS |
First, at being new to trying to post to the board I hope I did the quote right.
Second, I never found out details because I didn't take the job. I think I've only been in Sharjah once when I missed the turn off to IKEA!  |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:37 am Post subject: |
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Mabruk!! You did the quotes right the first time!!
How did you know the commute was one hour then? Not to mention that I don't think that many people are there 40 hours a week... there is a variance by branch. Most of my friends seemed to average about 7 hours a day. There have been HCT people on here claiming even less at their branch.
VS |
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