Job Discussion Forums

Jmthomas · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 14

Hi,

I have read enough comments to recognise that going direct is the best option - but I have also seen that this is unlikely to be an option for me.

I have also seen a few agencies that should be avoided. I have been able to learn a bit about the pitfalls thanks to all the useful comments but I would like to know which agencies you would recommend. (Or if I have missed a fairly up to date list please just point me in the right direction.)

Many thanks,

James

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Since you understand that direct hire is the best way to look for employment in KSA, I don't know why you would even consider an agency....unless you lack proper qualifications?
As for a top 10???
I think you would be hard pressed to find even 1 decent recruitment agency.

I did a quick search on the net and came up with these links:

http://www.worldjobsites.org/jobs/Jobs_in_Saudi_Arabia/Recruitment_Agencies_in_Saudi_Arabia/

or this:

http://jobstefl.com/riyadh.asp

I couldn't tell you which agency is better than any other...as far as I'm concerned they are all crappy!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

A top 10 list of the "best" recruiting companies to work for? I don't think such a list can be compiled since there are a only a number of agencies recruiting for most of the universities. Plus, there are subcontractors that recruit for some of these same major companies. A bottom 10 list is likely to get you lots of responses but not the type you want to hear.

Your best bet is to look at the TEFL job postings you're interested in and qualified for, and then research each recruiter individually via this site. But if your qualifications are so minimal that your only option is to go through a recruiter, then you might want to seriously rethink working in KSA.

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

Jmthomas · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 14

Thanks for the replies - may be I should have titled the post "the least worst agency (-ies) in the Magic Kingdom!"

It does seem that some people do get lucky though, when I take the plunge I will have to keep my fingers crossed. (I know it sounds like a bad plan - or may be not even like a plan at all) - will also check to see how many bad reviews they have recieved.

Saabirah · Joined: 22 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

You can try Teach Away. http://www.teachaway.com/

A lot of teachers interested in teaching elementary, middle, and high school are going through them. They have schools in Saudi also.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Grendal · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:55 pm Post subject:

SBC
EDEX
IGIT
AL FALAK
ICEAT
GLOBAL SOLUTIONS

That's all I can think of now.

Regards.

Grendal

p.s. This is not including the big boys (BAE, ARAMCO, KFUPM, BOOZ etc.)

jt123 · Joined: 02 Apr 2013 Posts: 2

Grendal are those companies you listed the worst recruitment agencies or the best? Thank you

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

as I've said in more places than one on this forum, it's important to back up claims that "they are all crappy" with specific examples so that people like the OP have something to go on. Over to you cmp45...

The only contractors that I'm aware of have specific threads dedicated to warning people away from are ICEAT and EdEx so a quick forum search will pull those up.

Ones where people have been employed for years contracted to Aramco:
Sraco
Al Falak
Haka
Al Hoty

the fact that I work with people who have been employed with these contractors for 3+ years means that it is possible to remain with them and be treated well enough to make a go of working here for Aramco. It doesn't mean that it is easy to work for them. They all have their own quirks. But life here is full of quirks no matter who you work for and that goes for direct Aramco hires too.

It is also important to bear in mind that contractors may only be as good as the company they contract you to. Being contracted to another employer who may not be as strict as Aramco in terms of employment standards may be a far different experience.

For this reason, it's wise to be cautious about applying one person's experience with a specific contractor to your own expectations if you will be contracted to a different employer.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Contractors or agents ? Not the same. A contractor hires you, pays you a monthly salary and sells your services to someone else. An agency introduces you to a company who then hires you.

It is like the difference between a pimp and a dating agency.

rdobbs98 · Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Posts: 236

In the magic Kingdom Scott is there any difference? Meaning the pimp and dating agency.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:36 pm Post subject:

Dear rdobbs98,

Pimps promise to take care of you, but they can also hurt you - you are replaceable rental merchandise.

Dating agencies just want your money; they don't care if they hook you up with a serial killer - you are a disposable commodity.

So, to answer your question - no, not much difference.

Regards,
John

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA