Job Discussion Forums

[bushkat]

I'm 27, single, female and looking for a job in Dubai. I have a BBA in Marketing, Celta Pass-A, 2 years teaching experience in the UK and about 4 years business experience. I've had a look at a few jobs and have been asked to let my potential employers know my salary expectations. Assuming I've been given a base figure that covers accommodation and travel, what would be a realistic amount to add to that (spending money and savings) based on my qualifications/experience? Or, alternatively, could anyone tell me what a realistic overall package to ask for may be? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Manny2]

Bushkat what would really help if you could give us an idea of who the employers might be . You say that they have given a base figure for accommodation and travel but housing in Dubai is very expensive and you do not want to have to eat into your salary to supplement the allowances given.

[veiledsentiments]

My response would be the same as to your duplicate post on the Bahrain section.

VS

[bushkat]

Ya, I had the same response from both the Dubai and Bahrain schools that I contacted, both wanting my salary expectations.

I think that the living /accommodation/travel expenses I was given for Dubai are fairly comprehensive - 92050/year. Does that sound right? What I need to add is what I'd like to save + spending money. Any ideas for a realistic figure?

Thanks!

[globalnomad2]

I work in the university sector so I'm not sure but I thought a typical school salary was Dh. 7000 a month plus free housing (small apartment). Am I right, VS?

[veiledsentiments]

I'm with you gn2, I always avoided schools totally... wouldn't have considered them if they paid double tertiary - which they don't, of course. So, I have never paid any attention to their salaries except what I have seen on here.

That sounds like what has been mentioned here for entry level, which our OP would be. The catch is rising rents...

VS

[globalnomad2]

...which, for the benefit of Bushcat, means you may get free housing in the form of an annual allowance paid directly to the landlord (or possibly as an addition to your salary) but with rents rising you may have to downgrade after a while or else pay the difference. School teaching in the Gulf is known as a nightmare. I wouldn't bother these days even if I wanted to teach school.

I remember many moons ago...1974, after I got out of the Navy, and 'hadn't been to university yet, I got a job offer with a US company in Saudi Arabia paying $10,000 plus free everything. In 1974 that was really not a bad entry-level deal for a young guy without any college. I think a present-day salary of $22,900 + a crummy apartment -- and that for someone with a bachelor's degree and other qualifications--is quite a downgrade compared to 1974.

Bushkat--I assume you're talking about primary and secondary schools, not colleges/universities? Your background and experience are fine but would not quite get you into the HCT or other tertiary institutions.

[bushkat]

Thanks VS/Globalnomad!

hmmm, not sounding too promising though it's better to have realistic views now rather than get a nasty shock when I get there! Oh to have 1974 back! Perhaps a better plan would be to get more experience elsewhere and then look at the Middle East - HCT looks like it pays well but they require a min of 3 years experience.

[bushkat]

Thanks VS/Globalnomad!

hmmm, not sounding too promising though it's better to have realistic views now rather than get a nasty shock when I get there! Oh to have 1974 back! Perhaps a better plan would be to get more experience elsewhere and then look at the Middle East - HCT looks like it pays well but they require a min of 3 years experience.

[globalnomad2]

Buskhat--my pleasure. And I would suggest an MA as well. That is becoming pretty much the currency for the better jobs in the Gulf. At HCT they may hireyou with a BA and CELTA but they'll soon start pressuring you to do an online MA. I did two MA's back in the mid-1980s for free (in the US) with teaching assistantships (see my thread here somewhere under "Free MA degrees")

[veiledsentiments]

I was going to post this in your other thread, but I'll put it here and rather summarized question on both...

If I were you, I would take Bahrain off the list because there are really very few jobs there. It is a small island with a low population. The booze restrictions remove Saudi and Kuwait from your list. All of the Gulf countries have large expat populations, but the minority of them are Westerners - and most of them are probably closer to your parent's age than yours - especially in education.

The tales of big bucks in the Gulf are based on the past (stories like gn2), and still quite good if you have an MA. The tax free status is good and the better jobs have good benefit packages. You're not the only one who could enjoy having 1974 back... that is when I was your age.

Without an MA, the good jobs are limited - and many (perhaps most?) at the lower pay levels have problems with management. You know there is a problem when they want YOU to tell them salary IMHO. The grade orientation of the Gulf mentioned in the Bahrain thread is rather more with parents who come in and demand unearned grades and the management caves in... in Korea, the students nearly kill themselves to earn the grades... a very different work ethic, but both can make things harder for teachers.

I would watch the jobs for Qatar, Oman, and the UAE. I too would suggest trying HCT, but your chances wouldn't be great. Also keep looking in Asia, as at your level, there are probably more jobs there.

VS

[bushkat]

Thanks so much - you've been so helpful! Hell, I'd probably have ended up with a nasty job and living on bread and water for a year...eek! On with the search I go!!