Job Discussion Forums

[Sheikit]

in the context of direct hire at a university, has anyone successfully negotiated a higher salary then the initial offer? is there much wiggle room here, or do they offer one contract and take it or leave it? if you were able to get higher, how did you go about it?

[scot47]

Usually "take it or leave it".

[Pikgitina]

I have friends who have negotiated, i.e. asked for more money, and got it. Often it is a matter of timing. If they really want you and want you yesterday...they may just say yes.

[scot47]

Not in government unis in KSA.

[nomad soul]

Possibly... If you have strong academic credentials; years of verified, relevant experience; and certain highly-desired skills or expertise. In other words, you need to have something to negotiate with. Otherwise, there's always luck.

[scot47]

The truly desperate can resort to sorcery.

[grahamb]

Yes, but not juggling!

[lcanupp1964]

I don't know if it was sorcery in my case (direct hire, gov't university) even if I was desperate, but I turned down TWO offers from KAU. Two things made a big difference:

1. I was living in Jeddah at the time and I was able to interview onsite and I got to know the dean and vice dean at the ELI.
2. I was friends with one of the Saudi staff members that processed all the offer letters for the recruitment unit and he worked a little "wasta" for me.

I agree in general that it is very hard to request a better offer, but it can be done. The ELI at KAU will need about 40-50 more teachers for the Sept. start so one may have a little room to negotiate - more so if you are from (raised & educated) an English-speaking country.

[jaffa]

I did it last year and again this month for the coming year. My stance is that if they can cover huge tracts of sand with turf and irrigate it twice a day/ year round, solely because they think it looks nice, then they can pay me a bit more each month for my earnest attempts to teach them something. Not that I told them that.

[SENTINEL33]

I would ask for a larger salary base only if:

1. You don't care whether you get the job or not.

2. You really do have something to negotiate with (as mentioned above by Nomad Soul).

Like what? Well, if you have a PhD.....or if you have extensive and verifiable publications (a book is always a plus). Or one of your degrees is from one of the top 50 world universities.

3. In the highly unlkely circumstance that you "know" Arabic, this should never be mentioned or even hinted at. It's like a death blow to your application. I wouldn't even mention that you're "studying" the language if that's the case.

However, I advise against asking for an increase. For one thing, even if they grant it, it's likely to be something like 1 or 2 % more.....hardly worth the paper it's written on. When people ask for a raise, they usually mean something like 10 (minimum) or 20% difference and that's just not going to happen no matter what.

In addition, since you asked for a raise and got it, you'd be expected to land in the Magic Kingdom with both feet running and you could easily be put on top of the hated "substitution" list. (Subbing for an absent teacher) from day one.

As everyone knows, the key to survival in the Kingdom is to drag your feet as much as possible, do as little as you can at the job (never volunteer, never say you're an "expert" at anything and so forth), never attempt to "stand out", and always look miserable.

Follow the above rules, and you'll do just fine.

[grayskies]

This has been the most informative and accurate answer on Daves, ever!

Also, made me laugh in agreement. Thanks Sent...33

[johnslat]

Dear grayskies,

"As everyone knows, the key to survival in the Kingdom is to drag your feet as much as possible, do as little as you can at the job (never volunteer, never say you're an "expert" at anything and so forth), never attempt to "stand out", and always look miserable."

Interesting that it's "accurate." I've noticed that people who are intrinsically motivated find satisfaction in doing the best possible job they can under any circumstances.

However, if one can find satisfaction in shirking, I guess that could work, too.

But then, I "survived" in the Kingdom for only nineteen years, so perhaps I wasn't there long enough to find "the key."

Regards,
John

[grayskies]

Perhaps John....Perhaps

[johnslat]

Dear grayskies,

So, please share your take with us when you pass 20 years there, OK?

Regards,
John

[grayskies]

John, like you, I am an old-timer. I have been throughout the Gulf for nearly 30 yrs. I find what Sent..33 said, to be true where I taught English in the KSA. I'm sorry that you feel disappointed by my opinion. No harm done.