Post by Buster on Jul 16, 2013 14:34:19 GMT
Joining Aramco is a very big decision, not just for you but potentially for all your family and friends as well. Everyone has many questions at the application/recruitment stage and what seems trivial for some, can be a major concern for others. However, it would be good to remind yourself of why you applied in the first place.
Salary
Obviously a major part of the temptation to bring people out here but don’t forget that it’s not just the baseline figure that you see. Since joining Aramco, I have had year on year rises, a variety of bonuses, increased vacation travel allowance whilst enjoying tax free salary (country dependent), cheap monthly rent and pretty cheap cost of living. Free leisure facilities, educational assistance for children etc etc are all part of the deal
Career
It’s generally accepted that most expats who join will not be here to fast track their career. You’ve been hired to do a specific job, which may vary slightly as they look at your strengths, but ultimately you’re here to do a job and share your knowledge and experience. There will be some training, and possibly some development opportunities, but there is no reason why an expat should be fast tracked whilst most of the locals have to wait a long time even to get a grade rise.
Grade Code
Many people seem to get hung up on the grade code but in terms of housing, leisure facilities etc anything from GC11 upwards gives you the same privileges.
The overall package is what is most important. There is a great deal of movement around Aramco departments for the local workforce at management/supervision level so the way your department runs may change.
Lifestyle
It’s not like your current home lifestyle and never will be so you have to stop trying to compare it to home. If you really love your life at home or are not particularly adventurous, then this may not be the move for you. If you are open minded, willing to try new things or even challenge yourself to see if your skills are transferable, then why not embrace the opportunity. You can build yourself a very nice, comfortable lifestyle here and depending on your location, have access to many activities that you’ve maybe never even tried before. Lifestyle will really come down to what you make it. Many people have gone through this transition and will try to help – some stick around for a long time, for others it may not work out as planned.
Work experience
Work can be frustrating at times as many systems are over complicated and seem designed to stop you working, rather than the other way round. Aramco recognises this and offers you the opportunity to try and suggest improvements. All of this is part of the challenge and it is a test of your character to see if you can adapt or get your ideas implemented. There is a very highly educated local workforce here and a great chance for interaction with friendly people who will extend great hospitality as part of their tradition and culture. Try to make a good impression and show your skills from the beginning, but try to avoid all guns blazing approach where you believe your methods are always better
Vacation
Aramco uses two terminologies – annual vacation and everything else is classed as short leave (no matter the length). Vacation is when you will receive your travel payment (and salary advance if required) and has to include a certain amount of ‘L’ (leave) days. How you receive this leave time can be dependent on your supervisor or departments need. The common practice here for many is to take all your leave in one go so requests for repeated leaves may be viewed as rather strange. The other thing to remember is that you need to work one day in the week to get your weekend for free (if you don’t work, the weekend will cost you 2 ‘L’ days). But added to your actual ‘L’ days, Aramco give you many additional days. This year it will include 4 x 3 day weekends, 6 days for Eid Al Fitr, 1 x 4 day weekend and 4 days for Eid Al Adha (with the weekends, it means you only work one day out of 9). Sounds complicated, don’t worry – you’ll soon get your head around it ☺
Shopping
There may be a few items that you really miss from home but the reality is that most of the global brands are here in Saudi and readily available. Some will be cheaper, some may be more expensive depending on your country of origin but you can obtain pretty much everything you need to live comfortably here. Most Aramcons will bring some specialties back with them when they travel outside. Despite the warnings in the relocation booklet, most will pass through customs without an issue (as long as you avoid the most obvious restricted goods)
Housing
When you first arrive, you may be disappointed with the housing on offer. Remember, it's not brand new but you've not chosen it like the way you would normally purchase a house. Aramco gives you the opportunity to carry out some modifications and once you've stamped your own mark on it, it'll definitely feel more like a home. Like the lifestyle part here, it's what you choose to make it.
You can receive housing allowance if you choose to live outside Aramco but unless you have the local experience or knowledge, it's probably better to go with the Aramco housing to begin with - you will have enough to deal with initially (and remember that Aramco will provide transportation in and around these areas) before taking the time to see what is available elsewhere
IF YOU DON'T TRY IT, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW!!
Salary
Obviously a major part of the temptation to bring people out here but don’t forget that it’s not just the baseline figure that you see. Since joining Aramco, I have had year on year rises, a variety of bonuses, increased vacation travel allowance whilst enjoying tax free salary (country dependent), cheap monthly rent and pretty cheap cost of living. Free leisure facilities, educational assistance for children etc etc are all part of the deal
Career
It’s generally accepted that most expats who join will not be here to fast track their career. You’ve been hired to do a specific job, which may vary slightly as they look at your strengths, but ultimately you’re here to do a job and share your knowledge and experience. There will be some training, and possibly some development opportunities, but there is no reason why an expat should be fast tracked whilst most of the locals have to wait a long time even to get a grade rise.
Grade Code
Many people seem to get hung up on the grade code but in terms of housing, leisure facilities etc anything from GC11 upwards gives you the same privileges.
The overall package is what is most important. There is a great deal of movement around Aramco departments for the local workforce at management/supervision level so the way your department runs may change.
Lifestyle
It’s not like your current home lifestyle and never will be so you have to stop trying to compare it to home. If you really love your life at home or are not particularly adventurous, then this may not be the move for you. If you are open minded, willing to try new things or even challenge yourself to see if your skills are transferable, then why not embrace the opportunity. You can build yourself a very nice, comfortable lifestyle here and depending on your location, have access to many activities that you’ve maybe never even tried before. Lifestyle will really come down to what you make it. Many people have gone through this transition and will try to help – some stick around for a long time, for others it may not work out as planned.
Work experience
Work can be frustrating at times as many systems are over complicated and seem designed to stop you working, rather than the other way round. Aramco recognises this and offers you the opportunity to try and suggest improvements. All of this is part of the challenge and it is a test of your character to see if you can adapt or get your ideas implemented. There is a very highly educated local workforce here and a great chance for interaction with friendly people who will extend great hospitality as part of their tradition and culture. Try to make a good impression and show your skills from the beginning, but try to avoid all guns blazing approach where you believe your methods are always better
Vacation
Aramco uses two terminologies – annual vacation and everything else is classed as short leave (no matter the length). Vacation is when you will receive your travel payment (and salary advance if required) and has to include a certain amount of ‘L’ (leave) days. How you receive this leave time can be dependent on your supervisor or departments need. The common practice here for many is to take all your leave in one go so requests for repeated leaves may be viewed as rather strange. The other thing to remember is that you need to work one day in the week to get your weekend for free (if you don’t work, the weekend will cost you 2 ‘L’ days). But added to your actual ‘L’ days, Aramco give you many additional days. This year it will include 4 x 3 day weekends, 6 days for Eid Al Fitr, 1 x 4 day weekend and 4 days for Eid Al Adha (with the weekends, it means you only work one day out of 9). Sounds complicated, don’t worry – you’ll soon get your head around it ☺
Shopping
There may be a few items that you really miss from home but the reality is that most of the global brands are here in Saudi and readily available. Some will be cheaper, some may be more expensive depending on your country of origin but you can obtain pretty much everything you need to live comfortably here. Most Aramcons will bring some specialties back with them when they travel outside. Despite the warnings in the relocation booklet, most will pass through customs without an issue (as long as you avoid the most obvious restricted goods)
Housing
When you first arrive, you may be disappointed with the housing on offer. Remember, it's not brand new but you've not chosen it like the way you would normally purchase a house. Aramco gives you the opportunity to carry out some modifications and once you've stamped your own mark on it, it'll definitely feel more like a home. Like the lifestyle part here, it's what you choose to make it.
You can receive housing allowance if you choose to live outside Aramco but unless you have the local experience or knowledge, it's probably better to go with the Aramco housing to begin with - you will have enough to deal with initially (and remember that Aramco will provide transportation in and around these areas) before taking the time to see what is available elsewhere
IF YOU DON'T TRY IT, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW!!
