Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:09 pm Post subject:

Dear blackwellbin,

"But had there been an emergency declared, had there been a suspension of a norm, I felt, as I said, assured by having my passport in my possession."

Why would that assure you since your passport without an exit visa would not allow you to exit the country? I really fail to see how any assurance could be provided. If you had to get airlifted out, a photocopy would get you on the C-130.

And I'm not being facetious.

Regards,
John

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

blackwellben · Joined: 06 Nov 2010 Posts: 121 Location: Saudi Arabia

blackwellben · Joined: 06 Nov 2010 Posts: 121 Location: Saudi Arabia

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject:

Dear blackwellben,

Which, apparently, differs from your bias Very Happy

I suppose numbers, in themselves, aren't really a good argument, but you do seem to be lacking supporters for your contentions.

Regards,
John

blackwellben · Joined: 06 Nov 2010 Posts: 121 Location: Saudi Arabia

fledex · Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 342

This job forum for Saudi is still blocked within Saudi and will probably remain blocked until the government changes, a long, long time. A company holding a person within Saudi Arabia until they agree to release them is possible.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:38 pm Post subject:

Dear blackwellben,

I didn't mean to suggest that you were posting "to gain supporters." My point was that I can't recall too many others on this forum (well, actually I can't recall any) who have had lots of experience in the Kingdom who would advocate using recruiters, contractors, agencies over direct hire.

But perhaps you're not doing that. Unless I'm misreading here, I think that your point is that it's wrong to generalize about ALL agencies. recruiters. contractors, whatever they're called.. Personally, having always been a direct hire, I can't speak from experience on that. But since you were recruited and found it to be an at least tolerable situation, I'll take your word for it. Have you posted on here as to which agency it was that recruited you? I'm afraid I can't recall if you have. But if you haven't, it would certainly be helpful for any prospective teachers thinking of going to Saudi to get your recommendation regarding a good recruiting agency (since from so many other posts on this forum, I definitely get the impression that there are a fair number of not-so-good ones.)

Regards,
John

blackwellben · Joined: 06 Nov 2010 Posts: 121 Location: Saudi Arabia

"The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it."
--John Gilmore, Time, 1993

Syria's president is going to learn that the hard way.

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 11:19 pm Post subject:

Dear blackwellben,

So, unless I'm mistaken, the only claim that you're making it that you got a job through a recruiter and it turned out OK for you.

You don't/can't vouch for your own company with regard to how anyone else would be treated, though.

Well, fair enough - however, since your experience is, as you've written, one that can't be extended to anyone else, it seems to me that it probably won't be of any value to any teachers thinking of going to Saudi.

Regards,
John

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

I don't know about this Company.

I do know about KSA. I worked there for over five years spanning nearly a decade. In different sectors and for various employers/sponsors. I left earlier this year.

Direct hire is the shangri la we all seek, but in the modern world it isn't an option a lot of the time. As I have said elsewhere, recruiters are not all evil. I have had direct hire jobs where I have been recruited by a recruiter. Contracting is a fact

To any potential applicants/employees: listen to people with primary knowledge. Tread cautiously and never burn all your bridges at home/your previous location.

Many jobs I've had in the Arabian Peninsula whether they be on single or family status will not allow you to bring family members out untill after successful completion of your probationary period. This works both ways. For the employee, you can see the lay of the land and decide whether it's for you and your family.

blackwellben · Joined: 06 Nov 2010 Posts: 121 Location: Saudi Arabia

johnslat · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:28 pm Post subject:

Dear desertdawg,

". . . . recruiters are not all evil."

And used car sales people are not all unscrupulous, but I think that could be considered "damning with faint praise."

I understand that some teachers may have no choice but to take advantage of (or perhaps "be taken advantage of by") a recruiter. And occasionally it may work out OK. However, I feel sorry for those teachers
since I think the odds of its turning out OK are not so good.

"I have had direct hire jobs where I have been recruited by a recruiter."

Perhaps I simply don't understand this correctly, but a "direct hire" job where one has been "recruited by a recruiter" is, I'd say, an oxymoron.

Regards,
John

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

Seems like an oxymoron, John, but there are recruiters around the Gulf who merely collect CVs, perhaps do cursory interviews, and then send the paperwork on to the employer who then takes over... and the recruiter is never seen or heard from again.

So, the teacher is directly hired by the employer.

VS