Job Discussion Forums

[wavelength]

Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get past the wall of crappy recruiters? Almost every job offer I get is shot down after only a few minutes of research on Dave's.

The complains are a mile long. I get all sorts, and I'm sure others do too. Most direct hires need Mater or Doctoral level credentials.

Any pointers would be great...

[nomad soul]

Unfortunately, that's the reality of working for contracting companies in KSA---they're a mixed bag. It's all about lowering your expectations and choosing the employer you personally deem as the most tolerable.

[VOM]

Choose the best out of the lot.......expect the worst......spend a year with them....meanwhile when in KSA do some research, make contacts and apply for the position which suits you.

[scot47]

Go direct hire with KFUPM or other government institution. Or ingratiate yourself with Sicklyman and get a job that will you rich beyond your wildest dreams.

[johnslat]

Hey sicklyman, old buddy - how's it going amigo? hope you're doing really well.
Let me know if there's ANYTHING I can do for you - oh, and by the way, would you happen to know if there are any openings where you're working?

Regards,
John

[Deats]

Don't think the person has a masters, so they can't apply for most direct hire.

I was advised on here to get an MA before going to Saudi (If I want a good job). Seems sound advice.

I did try a couple of things to check the waters first with regards to direct hire for someone without an MA.

I received an email from KFUPM asking me to apply on their website. I then spent a LONG time on KFUPM website filling in page after page of utter b/s. Finally I managed to complete all the necessary crap and pressed 'submit'. I promptly received an email (2 seconds after submitting) saying I didn't meet the requirements, so basically sod off. Very nice. I have no issue if you absolutely require an MA to apply direct hire, but why the hell did they email me and tell me to apply formally when they KNEW I didn't have an MA? Many, many hours of my life down the drain. Other university websites have similar glitches. They don't stop you as you are filling in the info. They let you go on your merry way, they screw you at the end.

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

They hired me without an MA. Maybe they were impressed by my suave appearance ? And 10 years of front-line teaching in KSA ?

[Deats]

Actually they had an advertisement and I emailed them with all the necessary documentation (which it said to do - and I had it all previously prepared, so it took no effort). They replied and said I should now proceed with with my application via the online site. I presumed this initial email contact they had requested was the first stage of the vetting out process. The documents they had AND my cover letter clearly stated I had a BA, nothing more.

It has been written here many times that people do get lucky and get jobs without MA (see above + many other examples on here), but it is definitely preferable to have an MA - I understand that. So I think it is worth trying, especially if you get encouraged by the uni (especially a uni which most people say is decent for Saudi).

My point is (warning for others more so), if an application involves using a companies online system like this, and if you don't have an MA, then don't bother filling it in.

In my last job in Russia I also had to find staff members for the school and we also asked for this that and the other. Ultimately, we took what we could. That's the way it worked.

What is stupid is that by all accounts most of these companies will end up using an agency and employing someone with a BA anyway. The recruiter will take their share from the uni and the employee, the employee will not be happy with the deal comparably speaking and will probably end up leaving. Nobody wins except the recruiter. What a waste of everyone's money.

I know, it's Saudi, things don't make sense there

[nomad soul]

[Deats]

I actually stopped applying for jobs in the Middle East a few weeks back, but here is a personal example of companies accepting BA's.

I was also told there was no way in hell of getting a job in UAE without an MA. However, my CV was passed to Adveti in UAE, and they invited me for an interview. Unfortunately I can't attend the interview as I have work commitments I can't get out of.

Also, I was asked for an interview with a company in Saudi. I forget their name but I read terrible things on here about them, so didn't bother following it up.

These obviously aren't concrete job offers, but it's the next step in the process.

I think the best advice on here is that you will only get GOOD jobs in the Middle East with a related MA.

I'm pretty sure I could get a job through a recruiter for example (I meet all the demands they set out) - but with crappy benefits and a low salary, it doesn't interest me. I was earning more in China with WAY better benefits/living conditions.

I agree the chances of getting anything direct hire are incredibly slim - yet I could get a job through an agent for these exact same positions (but with less pay/worse conditions) and that's the stupidity of it.

[nomad soul]