Job Discussion Forums

[nwtefl]

Hi

I've been aske for :

" a Copy of Experience Certificates (for at least 3 years. This document must be printed in school letterhead and duly signed by the authorized personnel with your position as English Teacher and period of employment from (M&Y) until (M&Y)"

So is this basically your c.v. experience with a signature at the bottom?

[nomad soul]

You need an employment verification letter/certificate from each former employer; they're used collectively to calcuate salaries. Basically, each verfication letter/certificate should state that you worked full or part time as an EFL teacher (whatever your title was) with X Language School from MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY. Signed, for example, by Dr. So-and-so, Director, email [email protected], phone number XXXXXXXX. It should be on the school's letterhead with the date of the letter/certificate, and it should bear the original signature of the authorized individual who's confirming your information. Each letter/certificate should correspond to the experience you listed on your CV. You'll typically present the original employment letters/certificates to the new employer once you arrive in country.

[nwtefl]

Thanks - but what a pain to have to do.

[nomad soul]

It's always best to obtain these verification letters/certificates before leaving each job. Unfortunately, most teachers new to the Gulf are unaware of this practice and may have difficulty getting these documents after the fact. By the way, they shouldn't be considered as reference or recommendation letters.

[rdobbs98]

I find this unusual because most schools here don't really care about experience letters. They will look at your c.v., demo class, and interview. There is too much competition for teachers now.

http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/education/uae-needs-75-000-teachers-by-2015-1.1299231

[nomad soul]

[rdobbs98]

Regardless for an employment visa, the Ministry of Labour is not concerned with the degree and where it is from as opposed to clearance from CID. No clearance from CID, khalas. The university will look at the transcripts and degree, or even degree verification, during the hiring process. The Ministries are only concerned with the clearance for CID, the Ministry of Higher Education will later equalize and verify the degrees later.

I am still in process to have my degrees equalized 1 1/2 years later because the Ministry is just slow and cannot comprehend you can attend one university and then transfer to another to finish your degree. I was in the military at the time.

But this is my 2nd year here and even upgraded my position from teaching to admin from one school to another. I am a department head in a k-12 school and teach adjunct at a university.

In the end, CID clearance is the most important factor and I have seen some employees held up for over 60 days because of from where they are from, i.e. SWAT Valley in Pakistan or Tripoli Lebanon. Degree wasn't a factor.

[nomad soul]

This thread is about employment verification letters and not degrees.

[rdobbs98]

That is what I originally posted about. Why does any reasonable input seem to get unwarranted critique?

[veiledsentiments]

One problem is that while your posts may be helpful for K-12, it isn't really relevant for university level. Of course, everyone has to pass the security clearance, but the most important factor is one's credentials. The employer is only interested in your educational bits of paper AND your letters of employment which decide where you land on their pay scale.

Back to the letter of employment. BTW nwtefl, do not let your original degrees and letters out of your sight. Usually one provides certified copies (employers would give instruction on this requirement... along with any other papers that they want). Then when you arrive, you show them your originals if they ask for them. Some do, some don't.

I never even let them leave the room with my originals as I sat there. (you'd think I didn't trust them... LOL)

VS