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nellyp
Joined: 29 Mar 2015
Posts: 58
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 Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 4:12 pm Post subject: Very short term contract |
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I have been offered a 2 month contract is Saudi, and I am considering using it to introduce my self to the country. Do you think 2 months is too short a contract?
I would basically use it to see if I like the country, and to look for jobs while in Saudi. Do you think my prospects of finding a job while in the country would be better?
Any advice appreciated
Cheers |
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I-forgot
Joined: 28 Jun 2015
Posts: 153
Location: Riyadh
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| Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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It might help you in future to be able to say 'I have Saudi experience'. The universities do look favourably on prior Gulf working experience.
It is not long enough to find your feet. However, you might land and decide you hate it here in which case you can be thankful it is only a two month committment.
Go for it. Worst case scenario, you hate it and have some interesting stories to tell. Best case, you like it enough to cone back for more. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| nellyp wrote: |
| I have been offered a 2 month contract is Saudi, and I am considering using it to introduce my self to the country. Do you think 2 months is too short a contract? |
It's your choice whether to accept this short-term offer. However, the majority of contracts are for at least one year.
I suspect this visa is for the summer. Keep in mind Ramadan (month of fasting) starts in about two weeks. Your "introduction" to KSA will be full of restrictions due to shortened business and government operating times. That includes contracting companies as well. It also means dealing with sleepy, uber-unmotivated and crankier students (usually those who did poorly during the school year) since they'll be fasting. (Remember, you're still expected to teach despite your interests in getting to know the country and in job hunting.)
| and wrote: |
| ...to look for jobs while in Saudi. Do you think my prospects of finding a job while in the country would be better? |
Not really. You still have the issue of your BA from a Thai university regardless if you meet company recruiters over the phone, in person, or via Skype.
By the way, exactly what type of TEFL job (e.g., salary, bennies, location, employer, etc.) are you hoping to score? |
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nellyp
Joined: 29 Mar 2015
Posts: 58
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| Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| nellyp wrote: |
| I have been offered a 2 month contract is Saudi, and I am considering using it to introduce my self to the country. Do you think 2 months is too short a contract? |
It's your choice whether to accept this short-term offer. However, the majority of contracts are for at least one year.
I suspect this visa is for the summer. Keep in mind Ramadan (month of fasting) starts in about two weeks. Your "introduction" to KSA will be full of restrictions due to shortened business and government operating times. That includes contracting companies as well. It also means dealing with sleepy, uber-unmotivated and crankier students (usually those who did poorly during the school year) since they'll be fasting. (Remember, you're still expected to teach despite your interests in getting to know the country and in job hunting.)
| and wrote: |
| ...to look for jobs while in Saudi. Do you think my prospects of finding a job while in the country would be better? |
Not really. You still have the issue of your BA from a Thai university regardless if you meet company recruiters over the phone, in person, or via Skype.
By the way, exactly what type of TEFL job (e.g., salary, bennies, location, employer, etc.) are you hoping to score? |
the job is nothing more than I expect. It is working until the end of July ( you are correct about the dates), and the visa is going to be a business visa. These are not ideal circumstances, but I have a friend who works for the company, and he is happy with them. I have also talked to the head of the company myself, and i liked him. The last position he offered me was only for 3 month and was for teaching pilots. I was not willing to take a short term contract then, but things have changed for me.
I realise that I will be teaching, I just want to discover if I am happy living a solitary exostance (without my family) in Saudi. I am not going to be travelling or exploring... just living.
My expectations for a first time job are low. I will be happy enough earning12,000 SAR, with paid accomodation, utilities, and transportation (they will give me a car if I want), and I will get all of these in this positiion. They will also pay for my visa costs and my flights up front. They cannot extend my contract or give me other work unless I leave the country and re-enter, but I am happy with that, as I will get to see my family, and they will then pay for me to go back again. As for who I want to be employed by, I don't actually care. I would rather adults, but in what location or institution is neither here nor there to me
This company are happy with my Thai degree, and I have been contacted by various other agencies who are also happy with it (though one asked me to return to the UK to go through the visa application). One of my fellow Thai graduates has even been offered a job in the UAE (his qualifications were approved by the ministry before his interview) on the back of his degree from Thailand.
I may not get a top end job in Saudi with my qualification, but it seems that some employers are more than happy with it.
Thanks again for your input, I think it is wonderful that you so often take the time to help out those who need it |
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nellyp
Joined: 29 Mar 2015
Posts: 58
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| Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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| I-forgot wrote: |
It might help you in future to be able to say 'I have Saudi experience'. The universities do look favourably on prior Gulf working experience.
It is not long enough to find your feet. However, you might land and decide you hate it here in which case you can be thankful it is only a two month committment.
Go for it. Worst case scenario, you hate it and have some interesting stories to tell. Best case, you like it enough to cone back for more. |
These are the things I am thinking about. The experience to show other employers, the fact that i am willing to spend more time in a country I have already experienced first hand, finding out whether I hate the place with no long commitment. These are the things I think will be a benefit. I also think that I may be able to network a little, or simply be available to talk to future employers while in the country. |
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izmigari
Joined: 04 Feb 2016
Posts: 197
Location: Rubbing shoulders with the 8-Ball in the top left pocket
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| Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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Two months is just long enough to build up a considerable case of culture shock.
One needs to find one's center, blacken the humour, thicken the skin and practice rolling of everyday Sowdy practices down one's back before one leaves with anything other than hate for the place and experience. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 12:15 am Post subject: |
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| nellyp wrote: |
This company are happy with my Thai degree, and I have been contacted by various other agencies who are also happy with it (though one asked me to return to the UK to go through the visa application).
I may not get a top end job in Saudi with my qualification, but it seems that some employers are more than happy with it.
....
I also think that I may be able to network a little, or simply be available to talk to future employers while in the country. |
It's good you've received positive responses on your BA from various companies. Just be realistic about KSA (i.e., keep your expectations low) and about networking. Unlike touristy, open Thailand, Saudi Arabia is a conservative, closed society, which is especially evident during Ramadan.
If you take the offer, keep us posted. |
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