Job Discussion Forums

tsumetai mizu · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 12

Two agents have responded to my applications but have not requested an interview yet. I assume that there isn't a problem in dealing with more than one agent prior to receiving a job offer. Am I mistaken?

Yorks Lad · Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Posts: 93 Location: England

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question, but out of interest when did you apply and when did you hear? I've submitted multiple applications but despite my good credentials/experience, I haven't heard anything Sad

Feeling a bit miffed, to be honest!

To answer your question...I applied through various agents as I said. My logic is that until you accept an offer the other agents probably won't mind or care.

tsumetai mizu · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 12

Yes, my thinking also.

I applied at 4 recruiters.
Email failed to deliver twice at one. I did not persist.

No response from another after about one week.

No response to a general query to the third after 1 week. So I just applied. About 2 weeks later. my general query was answered. Then a few days later a request to send my application again. So, a bit of interest but nothing firm. About 4 weeks into the process.

The fourth replied within hours with a request that I fill in their standard form.

I wouldn't be too miffed about the delay. Time is on your side. The recruiters preferred choices are likely to have multiple offers and be more difficult to sign. Those of us who have less than ideal qualifications now may look perfectly acceptable in a few weeks. I've seen this play out term after term with my current employer though not in Oman or the ME. My strategy is to keep pursuing leads in the hope that 2 or 3 offers become available at the same time. I have one that is looking very good and hope to find another 1 or 2. Would be very nice to have a choice. Good luck in your job hunt.

usa_in_gulf · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 133 Location: Gulf

Applicants to the Colleges of Technology need to be approved by a central committee in Muscat before the recruiting company can submit an applicant�s CV to any of the colleges. To receive approval, applicants need to have, at a minimum, a solid ESL/TESOL credential and at least a couple of years foundation program/college level teaching.

After receiving approval, the applicant�s CV is sent to colleges were the particular recruiter has vacancies that need to be filled. After submission to the college, the college decides whether they want to interview the candidate or not. If the college declines to interview, the company will often try to submit the CV to another college.

Applying to more than one company doesn�t hurt because the different companies will have different quotas for each college, but since it�s the same committee reviewing CVs, if you are not approved with one company, you will not be approved from any of the other companies.
The Colleges of Technology are no longer hiring for this final semester and hiring for September has not started yet.

tsumetai mizu · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 12

Thanks. It's nice to have an overview of the process. I'm suprised they're not hiring for September yet. It's not far off.

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

I've noticed a few of the recruiters (and a new one in the last day or two) running ads here in the last couple weeks. So, if you see an ad, apply... it will be for September.

VS

urbanversion · Joined: 27 Jan 2011 Posts: 426

Well a couple of teachers have been taken on in the past few weeks...so not true. And possibly more before the end of this semester, some have already done a runner....and more will!

tsumetai mizu · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 12

Yorks Lad · Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Posts: 93 Location: England

This insight into the process is useful. Thanks.

I've submitted applications to various recruiters in anticipation of a September start. However, as Tsumetai Mizu says, it's not that far off (especially given how long it can take to get visas etc). Does anyone have any idea when the next stage of the process (i.e. interview) is likely to happen?

Thanks,

YL.

usa_in_gulf · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 133 Location: Gulf

urbanversion

Yorks Lad · Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Posts: 93 Location: England

Thanks incredibly helpful, USA in Gulf! Thank you very much.

I've submitted applications to three of the recruiters in anticipation of a September start. From what you're saying, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect an interview in the next few weeks with maybe a definite decision either way not long afterwards. Is that right?

Thanks again for your help.

usa_in_gulf · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 133 Location: Gulf

Warning Bells · Joined: 10 Mar 2011 Posts: 87 Location: Always Changes

silvery · Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 27

Warning Bells, interesting ... so you believe the use of agents is a cause of high turnover rather than any deficiencies of the colleges or jobs themselves (edit in attempt to clarify Smile

: rather than the colleges or jobs themselves being the cause of high turnover) ?

(That's a straight question. I am new to this scene and have no agenda other than to gain information and hear others' perspectives).

usa_in_gulf · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 133 Location: Gulf

The non-Omani direct hires are very few in number. Most of the colleges have zero of these personnel. Please note: none of these staff members are native speakers -at least the ones that I have met. And note again, they overwhelmingly want to move to the recruiters but unfortunately can not because most do not meet the present educational minimum qualifications.

High turnover has many causes. And actually, the COTs (Colleges of Technology) overall do not have an unusually high turnover for international hires.