Job Discussion Forums

[JimJam]

I've followed job offer adverts in the ME for the past couple of years on various websites and I've noticed recently that salaries seem to be falling and the experience and qualifications demanded by employers seems to be becoming less stringent.

For example, I now often see jobs that pay less than $2500 a month which I remember hardly ever seeing in the past. I've also noticed more employers will employ people who don't have a masters.

Is this trend correct or am I just seeing things?

[johnslat]

Dear JimJam,

I'd say you're correct in spotting that trend. However, many/most (maybe all) of the jobs that pay less and require less experience and fewer qualifications are not jobs that many/most (maybe all) would find tolerable.

Working in the Middle East can be difficult - that's why the salaries are/were usually relatively high. Once the monetary remuneration is lowered, the incentive to go is also. Why bother when (unless you're really desperate and relatively unqualified) you can do as well or nearly as well in more pleasant surroundings?

Regards,
John

[spiral78]

Dear John:

Would you say that there are more jobs overall, and that the major growth in job numbers has been in the lower levels (fewer quals, less pay, less-than-desirable conditions)?

Or are there roughly the same numbers of jobs, but employers are getting lax in terms of demanding quals, and are no longer giving decent pay and benefits in return for them?


In other words, is the job market expanding (in mostly undesirable ways) or maintaining, but with lesser quality overall?


Best,
spiral

[johnslat]

Dear spiral78,

I'd say it's maybe some of both, but mostly, I think, your latter option.

Regards,
John

[sharter]

Wages and qualifications needed are sliding because there are more teachers around, more contractors around and because people have realized that you really don't need an MA to be a good teacher. The salaries on offer at Saudi unis are terrible really.

[veiledsentiments]

[Rochdale Ros]

Sure, but always you totally get what you pay for, teachers get the jobs they deserve and companies get what they pay for. End of story. I think with bigger investment in education in Saudi also there are more jobs, and there are more lame teachers to take them.

[eha]

[quote="Rochdale Ros"] ' teachers get the jobs they deserve and companies get what they pay for'

Not my experience at all: good teachers very often get shafted.. usually because they aren't into gamesmanship.... and companies get flash harries who are good at selling themselves. Not that the companies seem to care, on the whole...

[Middle East Beast]

[quote="eha"]

[Captain_Fil]

On the flip side, these hiring trends may be creating more opportunities for less-experienced teachers.

Maybe I could visit my relatives in Saudi...

[scot47]

In the 1970's an EFL teacher in Saudi could accumulate enough in savings in 2 years to buy an apartment in a British city.

Today...............


hahahahahahaha

[Rochdale Ros]

[Captain_Fil]

The salary may be low.

But the experience would add to one's CV.