Job Discussion Forums

[darnit143]

Can anyone advise me about which companies are best? I'm sure this has been asked before. I just sent in a resume and cover letter today to Teach Away and received an email response the same day. It seemed unusual to get such a quick response. Also, I have been looking online at Sabis. Are both of these reputable companies?
Thanks, Darnit143

[denise]

Which countries are you interested in? And what do you mean by "the best"? Best salary? Working conditions?

And what are your qualifications? The best jobs are generally in universities and international schools (not companies), but those require certain qualifications and experience.

d

[tttompatz]

Those were recruiting companies.

As to which one is best...

The best one is the one that finds you the job you want, in the country you want, with the pay and benefits that you want and then helps you through the visa process.

The thing to remember about recruiting firms is that they are like used car salesmen. They are slippery but they also have connections in places that you would never hope to have so can find you the job that you want.

Just remember:
They work for the schools who hire them. They do NOT work for you.
They are NOT your friend.
They can't help you when your job turns out to be crap (because YOU didn't do your own Due Diligence.

Use as many as you need to find what you are looking for. Just like used cars, look at a bunch and don't be in a rush to sign on the dotted line before you have checked things out first.

.

[Glenski]

Which "companies" are you talking about?

Recruiters?
Dispatch agencies?
Conversation schools?
Certification programs?

And what country(ies) seems to interest you? Give us a little more background info here.

[darnit143]

Three years of teaching experience, secondary level. Working on Master's. I am not TESOL certified, but have finished all of the ESOL classes in my program. I hope to work in the Mid-East though I'm worried about how I will be treated as a woman.

Also, I meant the best in terms of yes, working conditions, pay, support once you're in place. I think Teach Away is primarily a recruiter, but SABIS says they have their own schools.

I like how one person used the metaphor of these companies being similar to car salesman. And from reading the FAQs for Teach Away, it almost sounds like once you're in place, you're on your own, at least in UAE. Does anyone recommend teaching in public schools in the UAE?

Thanks for all your responses.

[distantrealm]

I have also put in an application for teachaway. I think the most important issue is that yes they might assist you in getting an overseas position but at the end of the day you really have to check and not just rely on what they say.

[AGoodStory]

Darnit, I can't answer your question directly, since I have had no experience with either SABIS or TeachAway. However, there are a number of SABIS threads to be found in the ME forum, and in several of the individual ME countries. I can't get the search feature to work correctly--it works only intermittently for me--but I highly recommend finding and reading some of these threads, even if you have to just scroll backwards through the ME pages. Good luck!

[darnit143]

HI, I'll look into it. Thanks for your advice. I've noticed that the search option doesn't always work for me as well. Glad I'm not the only one having problems!

[Chancellor]

[darnit143]

Now I see why others on different discussion boards have complained about the people posting responses here at Dave's. Instead of helpful responses, you get snobbish gibberish.

[keitepai]

Hello,

I applied for a Sabis position in an international school but pulled out as they stated that their applicants should be prepared to teach at least 30 'child contact' hours each week.

This is really not the norm in international schools for K-12 teachers, some planning/release time is almost always integrated into the timetable each week.....I politely withdrew and accepted another position with better conditions. (I currently teach 22.5 contact hours per week on a full time contract)

They are known to be reputable but 'hard' obviously with their expectations, maybe they are different with other positions such as EFL teachers but I would advise you to read the fine print for sure .

Good luck

[Chancellor]

[naturegirl321]

I know that Sabis has had some difficulties in the past. Not sure if they've overcome them or not.