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Post by kennjenn on Feb 4, 2013 16:22:35 GMT
I have been offered a position as a US GC12 ish, but must be hired as a contractor, (SMP) for the first three years with a "very good chance" of being converted to an Aramcon afterwards.
I grew up as an Aramco Brat in Udhailiyah and Dhahran, and have worked two different times as a contractor in Dhahran. The last was in 2002. I lived in Eurovillage with my wife and 2yr old daughter. It was wonderful and would have stayed but had leave to take care of my mom and after my father suddenly passed away. I now have more kids and an opportunity to return but the idea of living again off compound then bringing my family with school age kids sounds quite expensive. The "promise" of being hired directly after 3 years is, well, some kind of probationary period I assume?
If you have any insight or ideas please pass them on.
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Post by tarik on Feb 4, 2013 21:11:43 GMT
any specific reason of hiring you through a contractor?
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Post by kennjenn on Feb 4, 2013 22:37:56 GMT
I don't know why they want to hire me via a contractor. I would rather come in directly. The job is in the Community Services Dept, Al Mujamma bldg., Dh. I have provided references, (Saudis as well as expats). I know the direct hiring process can be long but so can the contractor route.
I'm guessing it is cheaper for them to hire SMP people. In case "hired" contractor doesn't fit then they can simply not renew them and "hire" again much easier? At this point in my career, if hired directly, (and I told them this in the phone interview) I'd stay with Aramco until retirement. But having to come in as SMP for three years first is the only option I've been offered.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Feb 5, 2013 6:54:02 GMT
There are certainly a large number of people working for Aramco now, who started off as contractors (SMP) before being hired directly by Aramco, so this route is definitely a possibility. One thing to consider is that, even if Aramco wants to hire you eventually, you still have to get your contractor company to give you a letter of release.
So if you do decide to take the job, it might be an idea to make sure up front, that they'll be willing to release you after the three years, should Aramco decide to hire you.
And while, as I said, lots of people have done this, there are no guarantees. Whoever's in charge of the dept now might be willing to consider hiring you after three years but that person may no longer be there in three years' time.
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Post by DanToKSA on Feb 5, 2013 19:11:26 GMT
o kennjenn;
I will tell you from my personal previous experience that "very good chance" of converting you to direct employment doesn't mean anything. So many factors will play in your favor or against it for that matter in the 3 year period you are working there. As other posters suggested, this is possible and many SMP are being converted to direct employment but many others remain as contractor until they leave. This all depends on your choice, if this contract appears appealing to you, go for it as it stands now without building too much hope on what will come out at the end of the 3 years.
I worked for Aramco for more than 5 years with a "very good chance" of being converted almost at every contract renewal but it never happened. I am now waiting for an interview for the same department that I worked for before and this time I am not accepting SMP contract. I am currently having an excellent paying job with tons of benefits here in Canada and it's a secure job so I can easily say no to anything that is not upto my expectations.
Wish you best luck with whatever choice you make. Good Luck
-Dan
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Post by kennjenn on Feb 8, 2013 20:46:08 GMT
Dan,
Thanks for your input. If I am able to come to an agreement to come as a contractor, do you have any input as to which company to sign up with? What was your experience with your company? Is there a website I can go to to see a list of these manpower supplying companies?
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