Tax free Salary

Depending on your experience and qualifications you can expect between 8,000- 14,500 AED per month. On top of this you will receive a housing allowance or accommodation, free medical insurance and annual flights home. If you are married and have children they will often receive flight allowance also.

Housing

Housing is often located within 20-30 minutes of your school. Depending on your school, it may be furnished or they may give you an allowance to furnish it yourself. Some schools and companies cover basic bills.

Housing allowance is sometimes given instead of accommodation. You may be in position to request this option if you prefer to choose the area you wanted to live in.

Flight Allowance

This will often be paid in one payment either in the months running up to your summer flight home or with your June/July pay check. In most cases it will cover a direct return flight home or at least to a major airport in your country/city.

Medical Insurance

Every employer will offer you medical insurance and usually speaking this covers you for a wide range of illness/check-ups. Teachers in the UAE are generally very happy when they compare the cost of visiting the doctor for a check-up or prescription back home.

Education Allowance

As a teacher, your school will offer you a place for one or two children for schooling.

Visa

Your school will assist you with obtaining your residency visa. Depending on your contract it may be valid from 1-3 years. Your visa is linked to your job, therefore if you resign, your visa will be cancelled. If you are coming with family, it is possible to sponsor a spouse (that is unemployed) and your children on your visa, which you will need to cover the cost of yourself.

Gratuity

Your salary will be split into basic pay and extra allowances, making up your full pay. For example you may receive 9,000aed a month salary (not including housing/medical/flights)however, 5,500aed of this may be basic while the other 3,500 is other allowances. Your gratuity is set off your basic pay. It is calculated as per UAE labour law and will be 21 days of your basic pay for each year worked.

We can provide you with further support on writing/updating your CV after you register with us.

Keep it concise and to the point

We recommend you limit your CV to no more than two pages in length. If you are applying for a leadership role and have a vast range of experience, then you may go over this but keep it as clear and concise as possible. You can go into more detail in your personal statement or interview.

A good introduction/profile

Before delving into your experience give a brief three/four sentences about your years of experience, curricula taught and the type of teacher you are – tying these in with the school’s core values where possible. Many schools will talk about developing tolerance, innovation, open-mindedness and creativity within there school community. Check their website and use this to your advantage.

Keep it professional

Choosing an appropriate template, font, colour and size is really important. Your CV will be your first impression. It’s vital you get it right. Some schools or companies may give you a template to fill in or work with and if so use this. 

Photo

This can be a tricky one, but it is really important. Your photo needs to be the right balance of professional, yet happy and not too serious. Try to take a photo with your shirt or work attire against a professional/ plain backdrop that is from your shoulders up. Many schools will copy your picture onto their website, so make sure you’re sending the right message. Remember to leave the filters for Instagram. No one likes a catfish!

What can you bring to school?

Your interests and hobbies could be a real pull for schools. Make sure this shines through on your CV, as extracurricular clubs and activities are in almost every school here and you will more than likely be asked to coach a sports team or teach a skill one day a week after school. Think about your value to the school and share this through interests or qualifications – coaching skills/certificates, music or sporting achievements.

Chronological order

Always start by listing your most recent job. If there are any gaps in your job history, be prepared to discuss in interview and try to put a positive spin on it if possible. A gap year could be a year you wanted to broaden your understanding of different cultures and customs around the world.

Skills

Only list the skills you have that are specific to the role you’re applying for. Communication, creativity, dedication and organisation are some core skills a teacher will have. You can speak more about these skills in your personal statement/cover letter or at interview.

Triple check your details

Before submitting a CV, make sure you have the correct email addresses and phone numbers added, scan for typos or spelling errors and finally get get someone else to proofread your resume. Check, check and check again!

Research

You have to do your research on the school. Make sure you know what their core values, mission and curriculum are and be prepared to mention this in your answers.

Your CV

You will be asked about what you have put on your CV so make sure you can elaborate on everything that you have mentioned.

Questions

Look over the typical questions you may be asked. We can help you with this by sending you a comprehensive list of interview questions when you sign up with us.

Dress

If in doubt, then err on the side of caution and throw on the blazer! No one ever lost out on job for over dressing. If you under dress, you can be seen as not taking the opportunity seriously enough. Keep it professional and manageable for you.

Arrive early

Don’t arrive for the interview time. Wait outside for 15 minutes rather than rushing from the car straight to the interview room. If you have a virtual interview, again, be ready at least 10 minutes in advance in a well light space. Check yourself on the camera before you join the interview. You don’t want only half your head on show!

Body Language

Body language is key. Try to come across relaxed without looking like you’re at home. I always say to avoid crossing legs and leaning back in the chair. This never gives the right impression. Sit tall, opening and confident without looking like you know it all. Maintain good eye contact with everyone in front of you – without staring!

Positivity

Positivity is huge when it comes to interviews. Show your enthusiasm and positivity by focusing on the good rather than the bad. Don’t forget to smile – even if you have a mask on!

Bluffing

Don’t be afraid to say that there are areas you need to further develop. An employer can tell if you are bluffing and you really don’t have a clue. If you don’t know or can’t relate then own it and say you would love to develop this area going forward.

Ask a question

ALWAYS ask a question at the end of your interview – but avoid money, holidays or hours questions. Ask about the ethos of the school, how staff well-being is supported or opportunities for professional development. Have a few in your back pocket in case it was addressed early.

Tax Free Salary

Get used to keeping every penny (or dirham) of what you earn! No tax, combined with the additional benefits given to teachers in the UAE, (housing, medical insurance and flights) generally gives you a lot more disposable income. This means you can save for that dream wedding, pay off the mortgage back home or even buy a brand-new car. Everything becomes that little bit easier when you earn tax free.

Travel and Holidays

Due to where it’s positioned globally, the UAE will give you access to places that otherwise would be too expensive to travel to from the UK or Ireland. Whether it’s the Maldives, Nepal, Thailand, India or Sri Lanka, your biggest problem will be choosing where to go.

Positioned where it is, and with Emirates as the main airline, you now have access to areas that would otherwise be too expensive to travel to from the UK.

 Security

The UAE is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Almost everyone living here will have a story of a returned phone or wallet from a taxi ride home, restaurant or bar. Recently, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai spoke about the UAE’s top ranking position for safety saying “If a woman wanders alone at any hour of the day or night without fear, know that she is in the Emirates.

Weather

We all know that feeling of getting up and travelling to school throughout those cold winter months. Grey clouds, rain, wind and minus temperatures. Here, you can get used to everyday sunshine and blue skies. Living in the sun can be life-changing! Not only is your mood elevated and Vitamin D levels recharged, but the all year round sunshine can improve your life outside of work – allowing you to go for a swim in the sea, a run by the beach or to simply sip some beverages with your shades on!

Weekends

With recent changes to the UAE working week, the first day of the week is Monday. (Before we started on Sunday) But here’s the best part – The UAE working week is a four and a half day week! That means a half day for everyone on Friday with most schools finishing at 12pm.

Lifestyle

With every weekend feeling like a mini vacation, the UAE allows you to live your best life! Whether you’re the ‘fancy restaurant and rooftop drinks’ kind of person or an early morning hiker, you won’t be left without choice. The phrase I hear most often from teachers – ‘I wish I came here sooner’!

Meeting people

Dubai is made up of 80% expats, therefore you will have ample opportunities to meet like-minded people. Whether you’re a cyclist, gymnast, footballer or artist, you will most likely find a group that has formed here and welcoming new members of all abilities.

Do you know someone who would like a teaching position in the UAE or Middle East? We offer 500aed for every successful teacher that is placed by Ralph Education.

Send CV’s to [email protected]