Job Discussion Forums

[thailandreb]

Hi all,

I'm wondering anyone's thoughts on my ability to find a decent job in the kingdom with the following qualifications:

Bachelor's in History (minor in PSC), halfway through a Master's in Elementary Education with ESL endorsement (I decided I do not want to finish due to sickening lack of teaching jobs here in the USA and the preposterous cost of going to school), I do have an alternate teacher's certification (type 23, state of Illinois) but it expires after a year if I don't find a job. I also have a state of Illinois substitute teacher's certificate, have been a sub the past 2 years, worked in Korea a year and Thailand a year teaching English, also did brief volunteer English teaching work in Thailand, Indonesia, and Guatemala. I also have TEFL and TESOL certification although was only a 40 hour course.

I realize qualifications in the kingdom are more demanding than those in Asia, which they should be for the higher pay scale. I feel with the education-based master's classes i've already passed (got A's in all of them), my high gpa for my bachelors and considering history is an education-based field, along with the previous teaching experience both abroad and in the USA, I should be able to find a decent job in Saudi Arabia.

Any comments would be much appreciated, thanks for your time.

[bulgogiboy]

[thailandreb]

I agree with you about the unfinished degree, but I have read posts by some who don't have any master's courses at all (let alone in the educational field) finding jobs in Saudi Arabia. So I would imagine it would be worth more than those applicants. Also, my USA teaching certifications are more than some others I have seen who have found work. So I know my qualifications are not exactly exemplary by Saudi standards, but they are more than some others i've seen who have found employment.

[warrda.w]

My husband and I have less experience and qualifications than you. We are headed to Saudi now, getting the usual package...

I say go for it, if that is what you want. We're getting the middle end of the spectrum, I think you would get more.

Wish you all the best

[thailandreb]

Thank you for the kind words, warrda....

Congrats on finding yourselves a job, and I wish you the best of luck in the Kingdom! I hope I can land one, as well.

[egyptfan]

If you really need the money, then go for it.
My advice to people with few relevant qualifications would be to get a CELTA. Later, you could get a DELTA or MA and slip into the top jobs.

Yes, you will get to Saudi without much these days, but you'll probably end up working for less than reputable employers and will have little choice but to stay.
I know not everyone can wait and do these courses, but CELTAs are only a month long and available in many countries during the summer break. Apart from the piece of paper, you will know far more about the job afterwards and be in a better position to choose the job you want rather than the one you are forced to take.

[ejc]

Dear Thailandreb,

It is possible to get a job in Saudi without a certificate - I know because I've just done it. It is with Skyline (aka Al Khaleej) however, which seems to have a bad rep on the forums, but I'm not paying attention to that.

Maybe you should give them a go?

[DeApple]

I�m really amazed at the number of people who are warned time and time again about scams, bad companies or employers to work for and still do not think is it true. All the information is there, accessible to everyone to make an informed decision - it only takes time to do a seach, compare a few opinions, use your common sense, not that difficult, is it?

Two years ago I asked the veterans and John, VS, Trapezius and a few more answered me. I�m very grateful to them, they were all accurate, precise and true to the small print not only regarding working conditions but visas, culture, the works, so let me thank them again and if you are smart, listen to what they say, experience is a grade.

Good day,

[Betrayer of Hope]

It is better if you get a CELTA or a TESL certification if you want to teach in KSA.

Regarding skyline, there is no guarantee that they will hire you if you're not certified.

[bulgogiboy]

Skyline will hire you (to work for Al Khaleej/EdEx) without any certification, but you'll be working on a business visa, in legal limbo, with even fewer rights than us iqama-holders. You won't be able to open a bank account, transfer money by yourself, hire a car, or do anything official without the help of an iqama-holder. From what I've read, you'd be well advised not to go to KSA under these conditions.

[JohnRambo]

[blackwellben]

[johnslat]

I think of it as an "internal passport."

Regards,
John

[veiledsentiments]

In Oman it was called a "labor card." (and one held onto both it and one's passport)

VS

[JohnRambo]