Job Discussion Forums

[akolsky1]

I was contacted via email directly by a principal of a British School in the UAE who wrote they got my name and email from an employment agency. It all looked legit at first as I researched the school's name and it was indeed the principal. But I thought it odd after I replied and sent my resume, degree, passport copy and photo, that he replied back with 5 questions rather than inquring when I would be available for a phone interview. Also he did not acknowledge my resume or other attachments I sent and stated "Please make sure that your RESUME/C.V,DEGREE COPY,RECENT PHOTO,INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT COPY is accurately submitted otherwise we will disqualify your application during our placement screening." I really do not understand what that means--if I already did as he asked. Also I was given a private yahoo email that had his whole name w/ prinicipal added rather than a school's email. Also the money was good 4000/month, but it is with an International school and and i have a state teaching credential, so that seemed reasonable. But there are photos up of the school and the principal and it all looks very "professional" If anyone wants to contact me via a Private message that is fine. Just trying to gage the legitimacy of this email since I was contacted by the school. If this is a scam, it is scary to think someone found my email and knows my name and my profession. Any advice or info would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Amy

[veiledsentiments]

This sounds like a scam to me. Legitimate schools don't try to hire you with a "cold call" email. In the UAE, most legitimate schools don't use employment agencies. Plus... a "British" school doesn't go looking for Americans to hire - they prefer and normally hire Brits. Second... no legitimate "British" school in the "UAE" would be giving you a salary stated in USDollars. They pay in Emirati Dirhams. The $4000 - 4800 number is a red flag amount that all the scammers seem to use.

You have already sent them your paperwork, but don't send them anything else. If they ask for money or expect you to use a "money order" to send anywhere to pay for anything, it is a scam.

Remember anyone can create a website or mine information from a legitimate website to use for an email name and data.

Put the name of the school here on the board. If they are legitimate, that is no problem... and if they are not, it is even better to get all the scams into the public eye.

VS

[akolsky1]

Thanks for your message. Yeah, the email sounds legit, but i thought if it is a small school then maybe the principal might contact people. Dubai British School is a real school, just someone is using false identity to try to hire teachers. Also the fact that the position was for an english conversational teacher at an English School seemed odd. I did search this Forum but found no mention of this school. I am not going to send any money but i am going to BCC the school's career email, so they know what is going on. I am also scared about identity theft--now that they have my name, passport and college info. Do you think that is a concern or it is worse w/ giving SS#s--which i did not do. That is ashame, I really hoped this was real. How do British and Indep. Schools hire? Through their website? I thought some may actually use Employment recruiters as well as go through ESL cafe.
Take care,
Amy

[veiledsentiments]

Many people have come on here and admitted that they sent their passport and educational information to scammers and thus far no one has come back and told us that problems were caused by this. Loss of the SS# would probably be more dangerous. I think (hope) that these people are mostly trying to get money from you and thus far don't seem to be data mining.

I wouldn't send an email back to this person. I would spend a couple bucks and try to call the actual school.

Never having taught at this level, I'm not completely sure about hiring. I know that the best of the schools use the international hiring fairs... and advertisements. If you are holding a legitimate state teaching certification and have some experience, you should be eligible for the best jobs.

VS

[akolsky1]

Thanks--I appreciate your confirming this. I am concerned about identity theft as well as the money stuff--which is more common sensical when it comes to being asked for acct's and all. But I am going to forward to the school the original email I received, so they can see it for themselves.

Btw, I did answer the questions that the "principal" asked of my--just to see it the person would take me to the next step of asking for $$ (I gues I was 5% thinking that it could be legit. But I never heard back from the "principal." That is so decetiful--to pose as a principal of a good school and bait someone with much interest in teachig in the ME. Oh well..live and learn.
Cheers,
Amy

[akolsky1]

Oh I forgot to tell you--I did search for Dubai British School here on this site, but came up with nothing. I was not sure if there are diff. ways to do a search on this site. But I just put the school name in and clicked "Search" --also tried to put in quotes and use AND besides all 3 words. But yes, I always try to do a search before proceeding to the next step. In this case since I was solicited, I thought it might be real--NOT!!!

[veiledsentiments]

You did check your other thread didn't you? http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=70421

If nothing came up from the search, it probably means that it hasn't been discussed before.

VS