Job Discussion Forums

[DavidMed]

If two candidates interview for a direct hire position at a university in the Gulf, -assuming that they have got similar qualifications and experience-, would a university prefer to hire the single teacher over the married one? At the end of the day, hiring a married person incurs more costs (flight tickets for dependents, education allowance for kids, bigger house etc.).

[veiledsentiments]

It depends on the country and whether the employer has mainly single hire contracts. This is more common in Saudi Arabia than the rest of the Gulf.

But, generally speaking in Gulf universities, most places I worked preferred teaching couples... next choice, married teacher... next choice singles - who are older. Culturally, young singles are not a good fit in the Gulf because of the lifestyle. (the closer the single is to the age of the students, the more problems could ensue...)

That said... if the credentials are exactly equal (rather unlikely probably), with today's budgets, they would likely choose the single person.

All pure speculation... just apply and see what happens...

VS

[nomad soul]

I doubt marital status factors into an applicant's chances of getting hired unless the job ad specifies that only single/bachelor visas are available (common in Saudi Arabia). Plus, even if, by some freaky coincidence, two applicants had the exact same qualifications and experience, it would likely come down to the more personable, interesting, flexible, skilled, and culturally open candidate. That is, the job would go to whoever fit the employer's preferred qualifications and had left more of an impression during the interview.

I agree with VS; apply and see what happens.