Job Discussion Forums

[windsofchange]

Any advice on this topic would be great.
I'm very keen to begin work in the ME this year. The impression I'm getting from the boards is that the best teaching gigs are at the various reputable universities, which you should apply directly to. The best time of year being March/April-correct?
OK, my credentials; I have four years EFL teaching experience in NZ. I've got CELTA and just an MA(no BA).
The MA is a degree in Drama(Text and performance) which I have put to good use in NZ teaching and lecturing in EFL as well as having my own company teaching public speaking skills to business people.
Do any of you wise folk think that I have a chance of getting resonable work in the ME? Any word on the 'Gulf Talent' website that was recommended to me recently?

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

Not sure how many of the 'reputable universities' in the UAE are taking applicants without a qualification directly related to the job ...

I'm told at least one of the larger outfits was actually removing from its current staff those without MSc/MA's that match more tightly-defined job-related criteria ... those without were given time to either acquire the extra credits to bring their MSc/MA up to specification or look for another job ...

As for the exact specifications / criteria ... ?

... others in the UAE are possibly less specific in their requirements .... and yes anytime in the next 2 to 3 months is a good time to apply ... bearing in mind the mid-year break has started / is about to start for many ...

[veiledsentiments]

Now is the time to apply... March or April will be getting very late in the game and the best jobs will be gone by then most likely.

I'm not sure how acceptable your credentials will be to the best universities. Drama is not much in demand in the conservative Muslim countries, so it may even be a negative for you. And, the vast majority of jobs in the ME universities are for teaching the Academic English skills of reading and writing and they are looking for people with experience in those areas.

But, you have nothing to lose by applying... worst is that they can say 'no thanks.'

VS

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

[younggeorge]

I don't think you'd get beyond intial screening at ZU, I'm afraid. You might have more luck in Bahrain or Kuwait, but their salaries are lower and even there the subject of your MA will keep you off the top of the list. Sorry, but the top employers do get to be pretty picky on the qualifications they require - simple supply and demand equation.

[windsofchange]

Dear me, it all sounds a bit grim Perhaps I shoulds look at somewhere else to work. Korea... Japan.... Brunei....is there any where else left to teach where one can earn a resonable living??
Thanx for the advice- it's worth a shot I guess. I know of teachers who have landed cool jobs that pay well and they have next to no qualifications!

[veiledsentiments]

[veiledsentiments]

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

[windsofchange]

If the HR person dosen't do the hiring at ME uni's, who does? the DOS?
Who would I send my details to?
VS, I hear what you're saying about Asia perhaps, being a better bag for my qualifications. I've read some Uni's in Japan that employ teachers for 'English with drama'. I'll look into it. Many EFL teaching are a bit down on Japan at the moment re teaching but I still know some people are doing really well over there.
I also agree with giving it a shot to work in the ME. They can only say no.
Thanks again for the info.

[veiledsentiments]

Windsofchange:

The first hurdle in employment is the HR department. They weed out the applications that obviously do not meet requirements. They then organize those CVs to disburse along to the next step in their process.

One helpful detail from the Sheikh's odd digression is that 'waiting' is a large part of applying for jobs in the Gulf. Often one hears nothing for a month or two... even if everyone is firmly chained to their desk. Some of the universities have been collecting CVs since November from ads on their websites.

VS

[windsofchange]

Thanx VS.
HR it is then. Any tip re CV's?
Have you ever heard of anyone having any sort of sucess on the Gulf Talent website? A chap I met recently(works in HR) who works in Qatar was telling me one
MUST post their resume on that website!
Sometimes my head spins with all the info, but I think I'm starting to get a general understanding.

[veiledsentiments]

Never heard of that site... perhaps it is only related to Qatar? But, I've never heard of any of the better employers using such sites in the other Gulf countries. I would also avoid agencies. All of the good Middle East jobs one goes directly to their websites and applies, or answers an ad at places like here on Dave's or the Chronicle...

If that site is free, you have nothing to lose putting something up there, but I wouldn't spend any money to do it.

Good Luck

VS

[windsofchange]

Thanx again VS.
I wil go ahead and try every avenue to work in the ME. I'm getting a hard time from friends working in Japan at the moment. They're telling me "what are you thinking wanting to work in the ME, are you mad??" "Come to Japan!!" mmmmm confusion still reigns.
I guess to be in a position to choose where you can live and work(to a degree) is still a good position to be in.

[windsofchange]

I apoligise for being annoying, but is there any set format of CV writing that is essential to apply for work at Uni's in the ME?