Job Discussion Forums

[newtogolf]

Do I need to bring any token of appreciation to the HR people who have assisted me in the hiring process ( getting visa and accommodation, and etc.)?

What about other faculty members who served on the hiring committee and/or assisted me in one way or another?

If I do, what should I bring from USA?

I don't want to act weird by giving gift or show ingratitude with shaking hands and saying thanks only.

Thanks.

[veiledsentiments]

To be honest, in many employers you never actually meet most of the HR people. It depends of the size of the employer. I did not because I considered that they were doing their jobs to get me there.

I actually find it kind of inappropriate to gift a hiring committee... after all the people who interviewed you are often not the people who hire you in the bigger places. There are often committees beyond the committees in some places. And, doesn't it feel like a bribe? even afterward? ...probably JMHO.

One instance where I know people who brought a gift was if there were lots and lots of problems and one person in HR - that had been bombarded with emails and phone calls - went above and beyond the job description.

I will be curious to see what others think. Most of my jobs were with the universities and it may be different if one is hired by an international school.

VS

[newtogolf]

Thanks, VS. Good to know that I am not emotionally obliged to bring anything.

[Zoot]

I've gift given to the HR Department of my new employer, but not at a university.

[renate]

I don't think gift giving is a good thing, especially in an international school, teachers can get their backs up on the smallest things.

[anaxiforminges]

Any "token of appreciation" to hiring committee members (i.e. your now-colleagues) would be in extreme poor taste and smack of ingratiating yourself, one of the cardinal sins in the profession. So, no, verboten, kaput, finito, nada. Upon meeting them express your unalloyed joy at finally meeting them face to face and tell them how much you look forward to a productive time at Dreamy U.

As for HR, do thank them profusely upon your arrival, but again, don't make it awkward for them (and you) to give them a gift. Remember that you may have to deal with them several times along the course of your time at Dreamy U and the gift may be seen as a burden for them, reminding them that you may expect nothing but stellar service 24/7.

If you're really keen on giving, you might want to do what I did: I presented a fine bottle of Chianti to the HR secretary at my soon-to-be-ex university for all her hard work in helping me get my new UAE job. It's a parting gift and one she will always remember. Follow suit when you finally retire from or change your new job.

[veiledsentiments]

Perhaps not wine in the Gulf? A nice box of Saudi date biscuits(cookies) perhaps.

Agree on the farewell rather than first meeting.

VS

[anaxiforminges]

[veiledsentiments]

They absolutely are the best cookies ever!! (and I am not really a big fan of dates)

VS

[Pikgitina]

The ma'moul ones? I also LOVE them and used to always go for the wholewheat ones, but later realised that the super-refined white ones are actually much better . Boxes of these were always ordered in advance from my relatives before the summer break.

Reminds me of my other favourite: date soft serve at an ice cream shop in Riyadh. (insert hmmm-yummy emoticon)