Job Discussion Forums

[veiledsentiments]

Well, for probably good reason, employers almost never post to Dave's. Plus, they may not have good answers to the questions. It is a worry for applicants if we have two separate hiring agencies with different contracts. This happened at SQU many years back. They hired an agency and also did their own hiring. It turned out to be a nightmare. Different teaching hours, different housing standards, different salary scales - and the agency was not very efficient at actually getting the salary to the teachers. That lasted a couple of years and was thankfully jettisoned and SQU went back to doing its own hiring only.

That is why I suggest that any applicants make sure that they are signing a standard contract with the Ministry, not an agency. (with the added problem of housing in Sohar to be clarified)

VS

[Duffy]

VS,

What have they go to hide??? That is my initial reaction to your post.

Why will Agencies/Employer not reply to genuine requests for information from those who are looking to be employed.

They (the applicants) are made aware of potential problems by ours and other sites.

Why do so called "Employers/ Agencies"s have such a problem??

Are they so profit orientated ( even though one states that it is a charity) that they feel themselves above query or criticism??

If they do not reply,they are not worth the effort of application.

Does anyone else have an opinionon this???.

Duffy

[veiledsentiments]

My often stated opinion on agencies that I have posted regularly on this board is - I would never take a job with any of them EVER.

I'd say that what they have to hide is that they probably don't know the answers to most of the questions, don't know who to ask, and don't really care as long as they get paid... which is why I advise avoiding them.

But for those of you interested in the jobs, ask the questions and just say 'no' if they continue to not give reasonable answers.

VS

[Duffy]

Well, this thread has gone quiet!

Has anybody had interviews?

Been offered positions?

Had a contract even??


Duffy

[SandyMan]

Hi,

I've been offered a CfBT contract for Nizwa (18 pages!) and it contains exactly what was in the job ad. I've got clear and straightforward answers to my questions and the contract looks very much like a standard EFL contract.

So, I'm on my way to Oman!

SandyMan

[davidsincairo]

Congrats SandyMan!

I'm still waiting to be interviewed This Saturday is the big day!

Did you get to choose your location?

David

[SandyMan]

Hi David,

I wasn't given the option to choose one of the three places, but they took note of my preferences (I was interested both in Nizwa and Salalah).

Good luck for the interview on Saturday!

SandyMan

[veiledsentiments]

Most employers will ask your preferences, but expect that they will put you where they need you.

VS

[international.teacher]

I have been working for CfBT and will be working for CfBT Brunei until the end of next year and I am not at all impressed wih them. The situation here seems to be similar to the situation developing in Oman. CfBT holds our contract but we are 'employed' by the ministry. This effectively means that when it suits the Ministry of Ed. we are employees, and when it suits them we are not employees (like not receiving local pay rises this year). Direct hire contracts have their restrictions but are much better paid and have better housing allowances.

CfBT here basically rolls over and does things like letting many its teachers get pushed into working 6 days a week, without protest.

There are a litany of complaints, but if I go into too much detail I will make myself a target for harassment and bullying. I want my last year to be a peaceful one.

The long and short of it is that I advise caution when applying for a CfBT contract.