Job Discussion Forums

[hash]

Since they insist on "American" native speakers, a couple of things newbies should be on the watch for:

1- the income tax consequences of a 10 month contract. Be sure you understand the requirements for work performed overseas and the "residency" test OR the "period outside the US" test to qualify for the income tax "exclusion". (Note that a 10-month contract strictly speaking would most likely NOT qualify you for either of these residency outside the US tests and you might find yourself having to pay taxes on wages earned in KSA because you weren't aware of details.)

2- the legal "nationality" of the outfit you're working for. This outfit tries hard to "resemble" a US based company but their patois gives them dead away and they fall flat of their faces in this regard. It's usually NOT an important issue (I mean the nationality of the outfit), but I always like to know this often hard to ascertain fact just in case you get into legal trouble with them.

(You might ask them about the "income tax issue" as it pertains to Americans...chances are, they won't even know what you're talking about despite their assurances that they are committed to taking care of their "American" "team").

3- The visa issue is a little unclear. If you go over to KSA on a work visa, you're not going to get a "6 month exit-rentry" visa....they're only for full-fledged Iqama holders......AND......I'm not even sure 6 month exit-rentry visas exist anymore...the rules have recently changed.

Again, as always, couch (construct) and gauge (decide if your interviewer is really open to) your questions carefully. People who ask too many "difficult" questions at interviews are often seen as potential "problem" employees and will not get the job based on their inquisitiveness, despite the "any other question?" catch-all phrase you often hear.

Also remember this about most US employers offering KSA jobs: Most employers assume (often rightly) that there's something "wrong" with someone willing to go to KSA to work. That you're not "normal" in any sense of the word. It's an instinctive reaction not easily overcome and sometimes hard to detect....but it's there....big time.

[danshengou]

[hash]

danshengou wrote:
According to the first advert from Nov 2015 (see previous post), it's a business visa, and taxes are not withheld. So for the newbie, do bear in mind the important point regarding time overseas to qualify for the income tax exclusion. Apply now and you could have a paycheck as early as Oct 5th!

If you want to have a look at the "first advert" mentioned by poster "danshengou" (note the British usage.....an American would say the "first ad"), here is the URL:

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=37470 although why one would need or have to go to a year-old ad for current information is unclear.

Note that they're advertising as far away as Thailand using the same ad (note that they give the salary in "bhats".)

http://www.ajarn.com/recruitment/browse_jobs/Thailand/118222.html

Note that they (American Academcy) are advertising for a job paying UP TO US$120,000 in Jeddah !! See it here:

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/zooey.cgi?read=39825

There's nothing wrong with any of this. I just like to have a CONCRETE ADDRESS giving the exact location of the parent company and I'd like to have an online "ABOUT US" description of the company I'm supposed to be working for at my disposal.

But there's nothing like this available (at least on the surface) for prospective employees/teachers. It's all "by email".

They're doing their very best to keep hidden. One wonders why.[/color]

[hash]

Whoa!! Poster "danshengou" deleted a couple of his posts and skipped town....wonder why he scurried off? Something I said?

[veiledsentiments]

A number of posts seem to have been deleted, not just his. I doubt that the posters deleted them. More likely they were deleted because of content.

VS

[danshengou]

I didn't delete them. Hash's post seems to have disappeared as well.

[worldtraveler411]

Let's actually hear from some of the teachers that have actually worked at American Academy.

What do you know?
Where are they located etc..?


It seems the working conditions are about the same in all of the university or university prep schools. Would you agree?

Thank you for your responses.

[danshengou]

It is unlikely that all conditions at all uni prep set ups would be the same. The premise is the same though.

[hsm]

American academy is just a recruiter. I don't think they even have premises most probably two rooms opposite to each other where they post their ads to the World.

[Siobhan 22]

American Academy advertising again 13000-15000 SAR $3560 - $4000

Also, this time not just US but also UK, AUS, NZ, CAN.

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=40522

Been waiting 4.5 weeks for BAE security clearance already and told that October is likely mobilization.

Tempted.

But bear in mind, tha male campus is at Rafha'a.

[Siobhan 22]

Arar, Saudi Arabia.

One possible area of posting for American Academy.

A little Isis activity in Jan 2015 and then some Saudi special forces training exercises. Food for thought.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/03/19/with-explosions-and-snipers-saudi-special-operations-troops-launch-exercise-on-iraqi-border/

[Siobhan 22]

Had difficulty tracking this down but, Northern University Dept of English Language Skills.

http://www.nbu.edu.sa/en/Deanships/PreparatoryYearDeanshipstudiessupport/deanshipDepts/Pages/English-Skills-Department.aspx

There are some contacts on LinkedIn but you need a monthly subscription of ca. $25. You could exchange messages. I used a 'free' 2-week trial to contact teachers in UAE and used up all my free messages.

If you go to the university page above and scroll down, there are contact address of teachers. You could always email one or two and find out direct information.

[nomad soul]

[hash]

[Siobhan 22]

Physical location seems to be in Dammam

http://www.americanacademysa.com/contact--american-academy.html