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Yasuke
Joined: 10 Jan 2014
Posts: 178
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 Posted: Sat May 31, 2014 4:31 pm Post subject: Turning up in Saudi Arabia and looking for a job |
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It seems highly unlikely from what I have found looking through older threads, but I was wondering if anyone has done this or knows anyone who has.
From what I see on the board, people are limited to taking whatever they can get and ending up in poor circumstances. Is there anyway to actually get into the country to see what one is getting themselves into before accepting a position?
Thanks in advance. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat May 31, 2014 5:01 pm Post subject: Re: Turning up in Saudi Arabia and looking for a job |
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| Yasuke wrote: |
| From what I see on the board, people are limited to taking whatever they can get and ending up in poor circumstances. Is there anyway to actually get into the country to see what one is getting themselves into before accepting a position? |
No, jobs are not gotten from within in the sense of doing face-to-face interviews while on a tourist or visit visa. The exception is a trailing spouse, typically a wife sponsored under her husband, who would be considered a local hire and thus, receives a lower salary and minimal to zero benefits.
Generally, getting any type of visa to enter KSA entails a long and often unpleasant process. It's not like folks can simply get one upon arrival at the airport.
Those teachers who end up in poor circumstances 1) didn't research the employer/sponsor before taking the job; or 2) knew the employer was sketchy, but came anyway because they thought their situation wouldn't be so bad; or 3) came anyway because the money was too good to turn down; or 4) took the job because that's all their qualifications could get them; or 5) were desperate for any decent-paying position that could potentially get them out of debt; or... |
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Yasuke
Joined: 10 Jan 2014
Posts: 178
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| Posted: Sat May 31, 2014 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: Turning up in Saudi Arabia and looking for a job |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
Those teachers who end up in poor circumstances 1) didn't research the employer/sponsor before taking the job; or 2) knew the employer was sketchy, but came anyway because they thought their situation wouldn't be so bad; or 3) came anyway because the money was too good to turn down; or 4) took the job because that's all their qualifications could get them; or 5) were desperate for any decent-paying position that could potentially get them out of debt; or... |
Thanks Nomad,
So if I understand you correctly, only the people who don't have an MA with relevant experience that use recruiters/contractors get the short end of stick? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat May 31, 2014 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: Turning up in Saudi Arabia and looking for a job |
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| Yasuke wrote: |
| So if I understand you correctly, only the people who don't have an MA with relevant experience that use recruiters/contractors get the short end of stick? |
No, that's not what I meant; there are crappy direct-hire employers as well---just fewer of them compared to the numerous crappy contracting companies. Those job seekers whose qualifications don't meet the requirements for (the better) direct-hire positions will likely find a contracting company interested in employing them. Either way, the employer (entity signing the contract) should be researched regardless if they're direct hire or a contractor. |
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Yasuke
Joined: 10 Jan 2014
Posts: 178
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| Posted: Sat May 31, 2014 8:22 pm Post subject: Re: Turning up in Saudi Arabia and looking for a job |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Yasuke wrote: |
| So if I understand you correctly, only the people who don't have an MA with relevant experience that use recruiters/contractors get the short end of stick? |
No, that's not what I meant; there are crappy direct-hire employers as well---just fewer of them compared to the numerous crappy contracting companies. Those job seekers whose qualifications don't meet the requirements for (the better) direct-hire positions will likely find a contracting company interested in employing them. Either way, the employer (entity signing the contract) should be researched regardless if they're direct hire or a contractor. |
Thanks for clarifying, Nomad. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 9:03 am Post subject: |
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| I had Muslim colleagues at the Airline who first came to KSA as pilgrims and were recruited when they were Hajjis. Not common, I think. |
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Yasuke
Joined: 10 Jan 2014
Posts: 178
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 9:34 am Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| I had Muslim colleagues at the Airline who first came to KSA as pilgrims and were recruited when they were Hajjis. Not common, I think. |
How exactly does that work? I imagined it was supposed to be a reflective time with everyones mind on God, not a networking situation. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 11:51 am Post subject: |
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The then director of English Training at Saudi Airlines was religious, and decided that the first priority in a good instructor is that he should be a good Muslim. His plan was to send his trusted aide-de-camp to Mecca to find a dozen instructors.
He did that and recruited people who were probably good Muslims but not so good in the classroom.
He was transferred sideways and his new recruits slowly moved on.
After that more conventional recruitment returned, but as far as I know, the Airline no longer recruits teachers. |
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rollingk
Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 212
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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| In my previous job many of my coworkers came here seemingly to practice Islam only. |
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Yasuke
Joined: 10 Jan 2014
Posts: 178
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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| rollingk wrote: |
| In my previous job many of my coworkers came here seemingly to practice Islam only. |
Thats interesting! Care to share the details of that situation? |
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Rostom
Joined: 16 Apr 2014
Posts: 102
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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| rollingk wrote: |
| In my previous job many of my coworkers came here seemingly to practice Islam only. |
Islam can be practised anywhere and anytime.
Only Omrah and Hajj are performed in Makah, so the Moslems who come to teach/work in the Magic Kingdom take the opportunity to perform Omrah and Hajj. |
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Yasuke
Joined: 10 Jan 2014
Posts: 178
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Rostom wrote: |
| rollingk wrote: |
| In my previous job many of my coworkers came here seemingly to practice Islam only. |
Islam can be practised anywhere and anytime.
Only Omrah and Hajj are performed in Makah, so the Moslems who come to teach/work in the Magic Kingdom take the opportunity to perform Omrah and Hajj. |
I see. Did this help live and work in the Kingdom more easily? Or was it the only people that were willing to come? |
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rollingk
Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 212
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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| My point was many seemed to be here for Islam only. Their job was just a kind of happenstance. |
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rollingk
Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 212
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Or was it the only people that were willing to come? |
Well, apparently I was desperate enough. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 3:11 am Post subject: |
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Yasuke:
Are you seriously looking for a job or are you just fishing for general information about KSA? If the latter, there are plenty of informative threads throughout this forum that will answer your basic questions. |
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