Job Discussion Forums

[Hemlock32]

Hi,

Another question. What do we westerners need to know about negotiating (anything) with our Qatari employers? What advice should we keep in mind if we need to negotiate? Has anyone done this before?

I've recently learned that with Middle Eastern cultures, saying no can be a difficult thing to do, I hear you have to do it multiple times and in multiple ways. I imagine there must be some hopscotch and acrobatics with negotiating too, right?

Shukran

[veiledsentiments]

Unless you have some super specialized skill or knowledge to offer that they are in desperate need of, you are unlikely to get anything from negotiating. Educational job offers are pretty much take it or leave it... since we TEFLers are a dime a dozen.

This is how it has always been... you can try, but don't expect to get anything.

VS

[Hemlock32]

[veiledsentiments]

I always taught at universities. Raises were normally included in my 2-3 year contracts. If you were offered a renewal, it was still a take it or leave it. I never knew of any employers where one would or could negotiate.

VS

[Hemlock32]

[nomad soul]

I was able to negotiate a higher salary at one ME college. The administration approached me about providing legal and business writing services to the college president in addition to teaching my regular courseload. This was a private college, so there was flexibility in terms of a negotiated salary.

The point is, I had a skill they wanted. So unless you have something to offer CCQ (other than a year of a completed teaching contract), don't count on successfully negotiating a higher wage. Something like a completed, relevant doctorate or high-level skills in eLearning or curriculum development might catch their interest. Also keep in mind that they also have the right to not renew a teacher's contract. It is what it is.

[Hemlock32]

[veiledsentiments]

No they don't. Most have a set pay scale. You start out on the scale based on your credentials (degree plus years of experience). The scale itself may or may not be available for your perusal. The minimal requirement was for an MA + X years of experience after the MA. When the contract is over, you are either offered a renewal ... still pinned to their scale ... or you are not renewed and move on.

In my 15+ years of teaching in the Middle East, I never had a one-year contract. It was either 2 or 3 years. (Oman, UAE, and Kuwait) I was always offered a renewal, but I didn't always accept it.

VS

[nomad soul]

[Hemlock32]

[nomad soul]

[Yorks Lad]

Hemlock,

I'd echo what Nomad Soul and VS have said in that you can't expect to negotiate a pay rise at the end of the contract. It's pretty much take it or leave it. While being enthusiastic, developing a good rapport with students etc might impress a Westerner, your employers in the Gulf might not be particularly interested. Sometimes promotions (unannounced) go to the person you'd least expect to get it, inevitably because they know someone, get on well with the boss outside work etc. One 'boss' I had in Oman was abjectly useless and didn't even have a CELTA. Whilst this may sound bad, many teachers stay because despite this, the pay and conditions are much better than what we'd get at home.

Yorks Lad.

[Hemlock32]

Nomad and Yorks,

I think I'll wait to talk to other employees instead of openly asking about pay raises at CCQ. I think that may be a little face-threatening. In any case, I'm still very excited to get going on this new project despite the uncertainty of things in the Mideast. If the Saudis come rolling in, who knows, maybe they'll take me back to Jeddah. If not, this is by far the BEST job I have ever been offered in my life.

Another question: what is typically the procedure if you are asked to return and teach again? Do they tell you before you fly home or do they tell you over the break?

[nomad soul]