Job Discussion Forums

[steppy-boy]

Hi,
Just to warn people that the guy who mainly recruits for the Ministry of Higher Education (Sohar, Ibri, Sur and Salalah Colleges) is offering salaries that are way below the standard rate for teachers. His name is Abdul Majali. If you go through him, make sure that you ask at least 25% more in real salary than what he is offering. The less he offers new teachers, the more he makes and pockets for himself. He also recruits for the Hawthorne crowd and is connected in other ways with them.
Has anyone else had bad experiences with this particular recruiter?

[flutterbayou]

Yes, 'tis true: I am beginning to get a tad cranky about this assailing of Majali, and there are a few reasons why:

1. He offered me no less than any of the other agents and more than some.

2. The salary with housing he offers is quite close to the salary being offered at a university that hires directly and without the representation of a recruiter. I know because I've become rather picky about the next job I accept and have done my homework.

It is suspect and obnoxious to ask if anyone has had a bad experience with him over and over again, when a handful of people have written that he has given them a fair deal in several recent threads.

What are these hidden agendas lurking near the surface, hmmmmm?

While some might enjoy raising doubt, others interested in working in Oman want informed opinion that helps us select the best of options, not hearsay that throws us off track.

[veiledsentiments]

Majali has been around education in Oman for many years now and has made about as many enemies as friends. Most of the real negative press was in the past, and the current recruiters - him included - have seemed to monitor the posts here and cleaned up their acts. The first few years were a disaster with some recruiters doing a poor job of fulfilling their contracts to the teachers... but mostly a very bad job of vetting the candidates. They were hiring people with NO credentials and little or no experience. Many of them ended up here - fired/quit and angry - very often because they didn't understand the system or what they were signing on for...

The Ministry probably cracked down on them and they have markedly improved. But there are still some problems with vetting the candidates.

The key is always to arrive in Oman with low expectations so they can exceed them. I'm sure that you will come back and tell us how it goes. Duffy and Denise have come on and supported their recruiters. Hopefully you will be able to do the same.

VS

[Duffy]

Steppy Boy,

Mate,

Ever heard of the silent majority?? well they are shouting at you now. No, really they are.

How many people has Majali recruited and how many have complained about him? a darned sight more are saying nothing as they have been or are satisfied with his "service".

A lot of people come out here with pre-conceived ideas about how things should be. I believe Flutterbayou touched on this, or maybe it was VS (or even both). However, the first point of contact for the new arrival is the employer. As naive as some have been about what to expect upon arrival, compared with reality, I believe that most settle in ok. If what FB is saying is correct, (and what I have always maintained), is that we have no cause to think otherwise than a lot of people have had good service from Mr Majali.

It is those who feel, for whatever reason, that they have been shat upon by their recruiter, stir things up every now and then. As in the case of you and 4WD, you always fail to create a huge reaction and cannot ignite a firestorm of protest.

Let it lie matey. If you and the other person had a "perceived" bad deal, let it go, say your piece, accept what others have to contribute and have an easy life, thats what we all want isnt it???

To date, as I see it regarding Majali/Hawthorn's, there are more pros than cons why do you think I asked the Mods on the other thread to set up a poll?

Duffy

[veiledsentiments]

Hey Duffy... you don't need MODs to do a poll. You can start one yourself. It might be difficult to phrase this question though. Perhaps just a general asking of how people's experiences were with their recruiter in Oman. And have them be specific as to which recruiter in the comments.

VS

[4 wheel drive]

Dear Readers,

In regards to all of your comments, I only wish at you knew the story here because there is more than meets your eyes. I am a proud American, who has strong sense of morals and a sense of values for more than just pettiness AND selfish reasons.

As well as, a mind to communicate a message here for everyone to see. A mind for psychology is much smarter than, a well balanced person making a jack ass of him or her self.

But if the person knows me, than she could not be an American or it has to be a he. What lays here are untruthful people hyping words for their own use. That ladies and gentlemen is no understatement.

These kinds of people have no business teaching, and what are they teaching us here on Dave's caf�? As far as grammar and punctuation I know how to use it well, but if I were in your shoes why you would bother to answer someone with bad grammar and punctuation any way. And to make a bad example of the (American System) make no mistake about my capabilities to prove you wrong.

Also know, that it is far more important to answer than to criticize a person who wants to come to Oman to work like Serious Girl. People don't deserve to be put down when they are simple telling the truth.

As for the whole story, the semester was 2 weeks from being over and I had a full week's hospital stay, because of all the stress that I was under just before this happened. (Shame on you)��and know that I am a loving person who cares so much about others such as my students. I love them dearly and I only hope that I made a good example for them and taught them well because that is what I do best.

My animals are the ones who lost. I hope Allah provides the way because I can't anymore.

This act of dignity is one I hope you will understand, and take a step back and think about what you say, before you show what you call a balanced cause for unveiled sediment.

Again, I want to work in a place that has a good teaching system for the students, and now I hope you make the right changes at Sohar College , not only for the students sake but for the teachers and a good working environment so that the lazy ones will leave and let the teachers who care make a difference. Please change your hiring system. (People like Majali have no business recruiting.)

I am an American and also a Muslim, who prays for people like this to stop and think about what they say and this is my computer that I am typing from���


4 Wheel Drive

[Duffy]

4WD,

Plain English please, preferably, British English.

Thank you very much.

Duffy

[veiledsentiments]

[temujinsky]

For a moment I thought he might be riding a scooter, not a 4WD

[janejohn]

4WD, I have to agree with VS that your English does not read like that of an educated native speaker. Where were you schooled?

Maybe you could vindicate yourself by explaining in clear, properly constructed English (without all the subjective ranting), what actually happened to you in Oman?

[flutterbayou]

4 wheel drive,

I don't think people here intend to slam you as a person; we are trying to tell you that your use of English diminishes your credibility.

What I see in both recent and past posts by you is a pile of inferential leaps from which I can gather no sense. I'm not even going to try to touch the cascade of platitudes you give yourself as an American because (as an American) I'm embarrassed by them.

Here is how it is: we at the forum have read bits and pieces of your negative episode in Oman, but others since have written of positive outcomes from the same agent.

When I get there in January, I promise to give a major update
, and an honest one, considering how humble, honest, and moral we Americans are prone to be

[4 wheel drive]

Thank you for your posts. Again, it goes to show that there are only two or three of the same people responding and they are working in Oman in the College of Sohar and maybe not even American.

Just remember other people are watching and jealousy gets you no where.

[veiledsentiments]

[4 wheel drive]

Dear V.S.

Again, I proved my point you are not in America you simply working in Sohar College and not very professional. I think the Dean should be aware of your comments.

Also be aware you do not know what you are saying and if you continue it become become a legal issue. Before you through accusations around be sure what you are saying.

This is a public forum.

[veiledsentiments]

Did everyone else on Dave's fall off their chair laughing. Sorry darling... I am posting from the US, which is obvious from even a cursory reading of my last couple thousand posts, and although I have driven past Sohar many times in the past driving from Muscat to the Emirates, I have never lived there.

You haven't a legal leg to stand on with your activities either in Oman or on this board.

But thank you for the best laugh I've had all week...

VS