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Post by hou123 on Jul 28, 2017 0:03:35 GMT
I currently work for BP in Houston in a job that pays close to 200K with bonus. I have a family of 6 and live in a 5500 sqft home. I was approached by some one in Aramco to come and have a chat and I am being offered a role. Official letter is to come but I am trying to get feelers about whether people have worked with Bob Henkel in Houston Aramco office and how it went and any thoughts on my situation. Very torn about what to do
Thanks
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Post by Countryoilman on Jul 29, 2017 2:38:45 GMT
Must be nice!!! I interviewed back in April, then told interview was favorable and to submit pay stubs. Now.... just waiting. If letter is on the way, I would seriously consider accepting. Aramco has been a dream of mine for more than 5 years now. If and when I receive my letter, it should come with a boarding pass. Because we are good as gone!!!!!
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cowboy
Member
Interviewing
Posts: 31
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Post by cowboy on Aug 7, 2017 16:19:58 GMT
Tough decision and lot depends what your family thinks? 5 to 10 years ago, I would say definitely go! I was there from 08 to 13. Great experience, lots of good memories, and no regrets going; however, things have change there like here in Houston due to the long-term depressed oil prices. I've heard not as expat friendly and the company has been widdling away at the expat benefits. Most people go there obviously for the money and expat lifestyle not so much for the job itself.
Since you are talking to Bob, it must be a finance role you've received an offer for.
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Post by rawsome on Aug 8, 2017 5:43:56 GMT
Hou123, I am in a very similar situation and really confused about the move
Understand that there has been quite a few changes to the expat benefit packages over the years and pretty much on the negative side. For e.g., only US expats have housing on Aramco compounds now, no business class flights for GC 11 to 14, no FX protection, etc. My concern is that there are potential additional changes that are still to come and no one is openly discussing them. There are also whispers around changes to schooling benefits for the kids and other changes to key benefits in the future.
The dependant taxes and visa fees alone for a family of 4 will add up close to US $10,000 by 2020. There is VAT/GST being implemented in 2018 and gas prices are going up
In addition, understand that Aramco laid off many employees over the last couple of years given low oil prices and impact on its budget. Thus could potentially continue.
Is it still attractive to make a move given so much uncertainty?
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cowboy
Member
Interviewing
Posts: 31
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Post by cowboy on Aug 8, 2017 15:19:18 GMT
The expat layoff over the last couple years has been small. Additionally, I believe the layoffs targets were under performers or expats that had stepped on the wrong toes. I would expect as long as oil prices remain low, benefits & expat perks will continue to be cut and possible more layoffs. However, Aramco can't cut too much or it won't be able to attract the expat talent it needs. If oil prices ever rise to the $50+ range, I do believe things will improve there as well other energy dependent areas like Houston.
I would be very anxious to see how the IPO goes - a lot of uncertainty there and will impact the sustainability of KSA's budget and direction of Saudi Aramco.
Before making the decision I would evaluate the technically specialty of the position I was offered. Is this a need Aramco is greatly lacking and highly unlikely that a national could ever perform the job? Also evaluate the risks of going - what's the worse could happen if oil prices tumble more and you get laid off down the road? How difficult would it be to return and find another job?
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Post by dupont on Aug 8, 2017 18:51:41 GMT
Good luck. I responded in other post. If the company wants employees in technical disciplines it will need to pay for them. I am in a similar boat here. I'm intrigued with what the company will offer to gauge my value, as well as the ability to court high skilled Americans. People can claim oil prices all they want, which will dictate overall company health and budget. Unless your job is tied to oil production, then your value should be relatively stable, specifically when you're in a technical discipline. My profession is legal/finance and I'm looking forward to see what they present.
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Post by rawsome on Aug 12, 2017 4:20:40 GMT
Thanks very much for the responses all. Really helpful.
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Post by vpainter on Aug 21, 2017 7:31:36 GMT
It is a different Aramco now. Layoffs have not necessarily been due to performance or stepping on someones toes, etc as one has said. Not sure what their criteria has been for determining who goes and who stays.
Is it a good move for you and your family? This will be an individual answer for each person. Even with the dependent tax, no matter how many dependents, it is going to be if the whole package will be good for your family. No one can tell you that, each person's family situations and circumstances are different.
If you are on U.S payroll, take home pay will be more even if what you are making is the same because of the foreign tax credit.
Aramco has been a great place to raise kids, at least on an Aramco compound. I cannot speak to raising them in the local community because we live on camp. I think it will continue to be a good place to raise a family even with all the changes. The changes may be considered bad by someone who has been here a long while, but the same changes will be normal for new people. No matter where you are, there were the good ole days previously. No different here.
Work can be fulfilling and/or frustrating for each individual employee, just as it is elsewhere. There is a big cultural difference, if you or your family will not handle that well, then it can be tough here. There is a culture shock season of time, but most make it through that time span. Others do not. Its an individual thing and depends on the individual's expectations and how they handle their expectations not being met. A personality that can handle change, differences, different types of frustrations because it is a foreign culture, different people from all over the world, different work ethics from different folks, they will do fine here.
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