Getting a job

As I wrote in my latest post … I have search for different types of jobs in Dubai during the summer, but I also tried another way of jobcasting – and fortunately I succeeded.

It was a “walk-in-interview/ recruitment fair-kind of thing” at an international school and I will try in short term to explain my impression of the day. They search for two different positions; teaching assistants and learning support specialist.  I arrived with my CV and a lot of other documents, as described in the job post: “… please bring with you your passport, visa, sponsor passport and visa copy, your current résumé, qualification certificates and 2 reference business email contact details, one of which should be previous employer.”. When I arrived I had to fill out another form, with all my details and wait for the personal screening interview. While waiting I had time to observe some of the other women applying for the same job position as I and the interview process. Around me were mostly women from India, Philippines and Pakistan I assume. There were a few other women from western countries (white skin-color like mine) as well. Before my own interview a few women from the Philippines was rejected because they didn’t had a sponsored visa, to make it obvious that it’s easy enough to find candidates for the positions.

I got my first interview, gave a good impression and got one as well. It was a relaxing talk about my educational background and my experiences in Ethiopia mostly. She skimmed through my CV, asked all the formal questions and before I had time to tell about my skills and different experiences she said that she would like to let me have an interview with the principal.

With a bit unsure feeling I reminded myself  that it must be positive to talk with a second person I waited for another ten minutes, met the principal and was taken to his office “behind the scenes”. He told me about the working hours, salary and other benefits – to make sure that I would be able to fit in. He also asked to my experience and came to the conclusion that I should meet the head of learning support, Misses B.
She was a lovely lady that told me everything about the job as a learning support specialist (LSS) and in return I told about my education and experiences for the third time within an hour. During the relaxed conversation I had a pretty good feeling and realized that I already had experience in supporting kids with special needs from my volunteering at Danish Red Cross Youth summer camps. She made sure that I was willing to work for the low salary and ended the interview by saying “I’m definitely going to offer you this position.”.

1^st of July was the day where I got my first job offer, not only in the UAE but also as newly qualified.