Job Discussion Forums

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

My company offers a bonus if I can find a teacher to replace guy that is leaving. I am all over this, the money is nice and it gives me some control over who I will be working with.

Let me tell you what I have learned.

First and foremost, there is the volume of replies. Despite my best of intentions I quickly fell back on form letters and stock replies. In fact the number of CVs quickly reduced me to simply looking for reasons not to consider CVs. Anything to quickly reduce down to a workable number.

Fortunately that has been pretty easy.

I threw away the replies from people who were not North Americans, Male or Qualified. I specified these requirements in the ad. I got two women, four Nigerians, three Egyptians and a one Brit.

I took each package and cut-and-pasted it into Word. If the program highlighted too many spelling errors, I trashed it. (Did I mention I needed English teachers? Spelling counts.)

I would like to take a minute to mention that cover letters to prospective employers do not begin with the word "Hi." I am not trying to be picky here, I write as informally as most, but a cover letter is a pretty serious document.

I hope I am not coming across here as a jerk. Frankly it has been a learning experience for me too.

One part of being in a profession is the requirement for professional resumes.

Finally, there are a half-dozen teachers in my office. Chances are if you got fired somewhere in the Kingdom for having sex in the parking lot (how romantic!) we know about it. Several packages were rejected because their reputations preceded them.

You may now flame me.

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 7:06 am Post subject:

Interesting that you got so many replies: where did you advertise?

My place in riyadh is finding it very hard to attract EFL teachers (esp women) but I suspect that's becuase they're not advertsising in the right places.

Sure, Saudi Arabia is getting a bit of a bad rap at the moment, but the working conditions and certainly the salary are much better than much of the EFL norm.

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

I just bought a one-time ad on the Cafe. Nothing special. The applications are still rolling in.

Sort of like sipping from a fire hose.

manonatrain · Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 88

Thank you for taking the time to make that post.

Sometimes we have been working so long in the ME, we
assume we will easily land the next gig.

Lest we forget it is a jungle out there STILL.

Hey cleopatra...where do u work...women in Saudi..i hear they only
take married couples...my girlfriend and I are thinking of taking
a leap...but think Saudi may be too severe for us.

Twisted Evil

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2003 8:15 am Post subject:

Well, well, manonatrain!

I thought you despised the Middle East and all the dumb Aye-rabs you're 'forced' to live with!

Anyway, I'm outta here in a matter of days (but hope to come back after I get my Masters). Anyway, for your info. single women can get jobs here in theory - but there aren't many decent EFL jobs for women. Most of the posts in unis are given to Saudi women. Obviously, unless you get married you won't be able to live together legally and will have to apply and enter the country seperately.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

As pointed out if you wantt o come here with your "girlfriend" then you will have to either come separately on separate contracts and live apart, or get married. If that is too much for you, then KSA is not really on.

Congratulations on getting a more tasteful Avatar. I am not sure the authorities in KSA would approve though. Depictions of the Prophets, including THAT ONE from Nazareth is forbidden. But then to the devoiut ANY representation of the human form is a grave sin. (How do they square that with using a passport or driving licence ?)

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2003 11:04 am Post subject:

For your info, Scot, a kind muttawwa of my acquaintance told me that it's permissable for photos to be used if they serve a purely practical purpose - but only then.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Your mutawwa was obviously a dangerous liberal with heretical ideas. The true beleivers know that anything not mentioned in the Holy Koran is of satanic origin. Photograps, for example. Or electricity. Or Chevrolets.

manonatrain · Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 88

ya Moderates are now being called CIA operatives...

Thanks to all for the general info. Looks like we are here for
a while longer...getting restless though.

As far as Cleopatras comments, i never said i did not like
Arabs. You misunderstood the context. It was or is the way they
treat certain groups.

..past is past

As for the story. I have heard many a story of expats being harassed
and presured not to press charges for varying crimes against Omani nationals. And they will go very far to make their point made.

It is common practice. But if you have never know anyone personally
who has gone through it..you would never believe it with how
polite everyone is in Oman. It is a tradgey.

The school and the Ministry of Education are in fact involved in this
scam. So the teacher who accepted the contract is completely innocent.
Yes they deported the Australian national, against their wishes.

If you type if the teachers name under yahoo.com you will find
a lot of info on it.

I am disappointed that the Ministry of Education is as deeply corrupted
as to the point Amnesty International HAD to get involved. How frightening
is that for the rest of us here.

What will it take for the government to overhaul their education system?

Twisted Evil

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

As the thread careens out of control and into the ditch.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Well I enjoyed the initial part of it anyway. I found it insightful to go through your selection process with you. Thanks for posting something from the real world of TEFL for us.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Paul made some very good points about selection. Then the train was hijacked by people with axes in their backpacks. Go grind your axes elsewhere ! Preferably in some Arab souk and not here !

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

Maybe they are using spool clockers instead?

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

Today I got the CV of two Indian gentlemen (did I mention it is for North Americans only?) and a link to a website that is the resume for a highly-qualified fellow.

How the heck am I supposed to forward an online document up my chain of command?

Such a document in interesting, but useless.

I intend to stick to paper CVs.