Job Discussion Forums

[jurassic1981]

Hello, everyone I am new to this forum. I will be moving to Saudi Arabia next month with my wife who will be working at Princess Nora University. I will be following her as a dependent. I hope to start looking for work once I arrive in country. A little about me. I have a bachelors in communications, 150 hour in class graduate TESOL certificate through the University of Oregon, 5 years teaching experience at Korean public schools working with elementary school students and 3 years working at private English academies. I am well aware that since my degree is in an unrelated field that may put me at a disadvantage.

While I am in Riyadh what are the best ways to look for work? Is it no different that looking for work outside of the country? I know from my experience working in Korea once you are in country it is much easier to find teaching gigs. Are there any resources once I am in Riyadh that I should check out like local newspapers that may advertise for jobs. Forgive me if I sound naive. I am not sure what to expect. Anyways, I appreciate any feedback you guys may have.

[plumpy nut]

You can probably get a job as long as your a native speaker. It should take a few months of asking around etc. I don't know the particulars of what your visa will be and if you have to take a medical in your country or not (I'm pretty sure you do). With a full medical (like you would have to do for and Iqama) your employer would probably be able to obtain an Iqama or at least temporary employment visa. If not then you will have to work illegally on the visa you come on. At this point illegal native teachers are not being targeted, but their might be some risk. I think either way you will be able to get something.

[nomad soul]

[vision]

Lots of options in Riyadh but, like nomad soul said, apply before landing in Saudi Arabia. Otherwise, your options might be limited to just PNU and Berlitz.

[plumpy nut]

I don't think your options will be that limited. Especially since you're already in the country and the companies won't have to pay for your airfare or your physical. It's just that you will have to look around for something that's open. Word of mouth from other teachers will work well.

[lcanupp1964]

You could get into a cram school like Wall Street School of English, or at a more local place - a small and privately owned school/business. Having a native speaker teach at a small place will create a little buzz if the place is local. You could get paid in cash "under the table" each time your shift ends, but please keep in mind that you would be breaking the law and if caught, you could be sent home. I worked a few weeks at a local place for about three hours, twice a week. the pay was 150sr an hour. No paperwork, no med. Easy and fast, but a little risky. You could find full-time work with little effort.

[desert]

[plumpy nut]

If they're cowboy outfits, where the applicant will teach is up for grabs. Which is a good reason to wait until you're here. To be honest a cram school is not that bad of an idea. At the moment it doesn't look like they're targeting illegal teachers. As long as nobody knows

[cultofpersonality]

Look at some of the companies like Edex, Al Khaleej etc who seem to recruit all year around. Once you sign up with them you may have to be under their sponsorship instead of your wife's. It's very possible to get a job in Riyadh at this time of the year.

[MsRT]

Things seems to be up in the air about teachers working illegally.

I heard that school teachers are given work permits, has anyone heard the same? However, working in a school does pay a lot lower than universities....