Job Discussion Forums

the princess bride · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 28

I have more than 10 years ESL teaching experience, a BA with a minor in English, a CELTA and have been offered only 12000SAR plus housing, flight, transportation, included. I feel this is low, but am I being greedy? I sense that the Arabic business world is a shrewd one and that they are trying, like recruiters everywhere to make the most possible.

Thanks!

shebab · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 168

It is low. With that kind of experience, you can surely get around 16-18,000 SR a month, plus housing, transportation, etc.

Considering there is only so much you can negotiate, I would doubt they will up the salary 4k+. And if they do suddenly up the salary by that much, that probably means they weren't being honest with you to begin with.

the princess bride · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 28

thanks shebab!

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

myohmy · Joined: 31 Jul 2013 Posts: 119

With my BA in an unrelated field, an EFL certificate and 2 years of experience, my salary last year as a PNU direct hire was 14560 SAR per month plus accommodation, flight, and 2 months vacation plus holidays. I was told to expect a 3-5 % raise for this year, but will believe that when I see it. I have no complaints.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Saudis do not usually negotiate on this. they make an offer and you have the choice of saying YES or NO.

jaffa · Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Posts: 403

Not always Scot. Earlier this year I declined a new 1 year contract (it gets renewed annually) and they came back and offered more money, which I said wasn't enough. They came back a second time with a higher offer, which I accepted. My boss, under orders from the director, truly resented doing this (LOL) and has made some sadly pathetic attempts at asserting his authority since then.

Sitting here now in the steaming heat after 2 months of beautiful freedom I'm kicking myself, although Eid will soon be here.

the princess bride · Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Posts: 28

Firstly, thanks for all the insight.

I am also a Cambridge oral examiner, does this help at all?

I just don't like the fact that the payscale is not available. Anyway, I counter-offered and if they say no, well then, that is the way things go.

I spent my last two years in China (at legit international schools) and previously in Korea (first dodgy hagwan then legit university). Both Seoul and Shanghai were tough places to live, so I ended up (like most of us) spending way too much on creature comforts, so I ended up banking very little.

Also, the recruiter has not yet shown me pictures of the "luxury flat" included in the deal. My first flat in Korea was a hole, a stinky, tiny dark hole, "furnished" with no furniture, I just want to avoid such pitfalls.

So thanks again for the info!