Job Discussion Forums

[jingster18]

Good day to everyone! I'm a newbie here in the forum. I would like to ask if there's anyone who is familiar with the said Company? I am actively looking for a job overseas. I underwent a job interview yesterday, May 14, conducted by the HR/Recruitment Manager from Bahwan Cybertek (BCT). I am applying for the position as an Executive Secretary. Does anyone knows how much usually the salary range offered for the said position? Any feedback regarding BCT?

Would really appreciate any information you can give me. Thank you very much!

[veiledsentiments]

This is a board for ESL teachers, so I doubt that you will find people here who can tell anything about the salaries of office workers.

As to Bahwan, you can do a search here (use the search button on the top right of the page). But, it will not tell you anything about working for them in a secretarial position. All I know is that they are a large Omani company that has many different businesses. It isn't clear whether they are hiring for other companies or whether this would be to work directly for them.

Sorry we can't be of more help.

VS

[Neil McBeath]

jingster 18,

Bahwan Cybertech is part of the larger Bahwan Group. To be honest, among English Teachers it does not have a very good reputation. Two or three years ago it started hiring people who thought that they were going to be in a cutting-edge organisation, but when they got to Oman, or when they moved from other jobs in Oman, they found that there were problems with management and, I believe, simply with getting paid.

I would be very careful of working with them, no matter what the job on offer.

[jingster18]

hi neil! thank you very much for replying and for the information you provided. i'll take your advice, that is to be careful if in case i'll receive the the job offer within this week. more power!

[WellRoundedSquare]

I recently received a reply from Cybertek and I have to say I'm tempted to pursue a job there just so I can feel like a character from a William Gibson novel every time I look at my resume.

Neil I saw your warning. Is it possible the payment problems were incorporated into start up problems with the school or is it a systemic problem that's continued?

Does anyone work there or know anyone currently working there who has the scoop on current practices and operations?

Thanks in Advance.

[Neil McBeath]

I have to say that since my last posting I have heard absolutely NOTHING about current conditions at Bahwan.

There was a rumour that most of the English teachers working there were Indians, but that is only hearsay evidence.

the silence may indicate that everyuthing in the garden is now rosy, and that the problems were caused by start-up, as you suggest. Conversely, it might simply indicate that those would complain have already left, and the rest are too cowed to raise their heads - or just get on with the job.

I'm currently on leave in Britain, but I'm returing to Oman next Friday. I'll try to find out more.

[Pikgitina]

Another possible reason is that many EL teachers don't know about this site or these forums. Others simply don't bother to read or post here.

[littleoldlady]

They're missing out on communicating with such lovely people eh Pik?

[desultude]

It is a mistake to interpret silence on these boards as a positive thing- some people are afraid to post until they are long gone from the job- and then they don't want to have to think about it any more.

[sandersjayfer]

I'm using a pseudonym because I am writing from a work PC in Saudi where I work for a despicable snake named MOD edit. I have received a follow-up to a resume sent to Cybertek and also wish to know if anyone has recent and accurate info regarding that place. It would be interesting to see if someone could trace any positive responses for the ISP of the writer so they cannot pass themselves off as a teacher or former teacher giving glowing reports when they are, in fact, the ownership etc.

[veiledsentiments]

That sort of thing is usually pretty obvious. It is that one glowing review that is usually post number 1 or 2 from that screen name. But, it could be a current teacher who is happy... and it would be the same IP.

No guarantees on sources here... there is a similar problem here with a disgruntled teacher who creates a number of sockpuppets and then they follow each other around and say "me too"

VS

[nickelgoat]

.....

[veiledsentiments]

See Neil's entry above. They exist and are a large company in Oman, but their reputation is not the best in education. Their lack of professionalism is shown by the fact that they hired you without even an interview. This is a factor which often leaves you working with a rather "eccentric" group.

If you have an MA + experience, you should be able to do better... but if you are in a hurry for a job and want to get something related to the Middle East on your CV, they will provide that.

But... is it for Shinas? (Do a search here for it) That is rather at the back of beyond. From others who turned their offer down, I believe that they do not provide a furnished flat, but only a housing allowance and it is up to you to furnish it. You will also need a car. These two things will eat up a huge amount of your first year income.

VS

[Neil McBeath]

Nickelgoat,

Shinas is actually OK. It is about 250 Km away from Muscat, but it has the advantage of being that much closer to the border of the UAE should you want to visit Dubai, Al Ain or Fujairah.

It is also close to Sohar, which is expanding rapidly and has a lot of the facilities that some expatriates feel are essential.

Like everywhere else, in every other part of the world, there are pros and cons to where you live and teach.

[rigel]