Diff between interviewing for Aramco vs Aramco subsidiary?

prospy
Newbie

Posts: 3

Diff between interviewing for Aramco vs Aramco subsidiary? Apr 1, 2019 21:41:22 GMT

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Post by prospy on Apr 1, 2019 21:41:22 GMT

Hi all,

I'm an American that may be interviewing for a role at one of Aramco's subsidiaries in a European office. I have a couple of questions if you'll allow me:

1) I know from this forum that some have showed up to an interview thinking it was for one role but ended up interviewing for another. I have a feeling that may be the case for me based off conversations I've had. With this in mind, are the interviewers just looking to get to know you on a personal/professional level rather than measure your technical expertise specific to one area given you prepared for one role and are being interviewed for a totally different one? I'm entry level to low mid level in a non-engineering role which is why I ask.

2) Ramadan is coming up next month and things obviously slow down during that period. How does that look in Saudi versus non-Saudi offices though? Are staff still coming into work, albeit at reduced hours, or is it basically empty? Although I'm interviewing for a European office, I'm still worried that the slowdown will impose a month long delay in the process for me. I want to delicately respect what the culture dictates when it comes to this as well as things in general moving slower in comparison to what I'm used to in the US. Just want to set expectations for myself.

3) Regarding the background check, is it the same whether or not you're interviewing for a Saudi/non-Saudi office, or Aramco directly versus one of its subsidiaries? This builds off of the second question in hoping that since I'm going for a subsidiary in a non-Saudi office, the process would hopefully be quicker? Basing that off of being employed in Europe and thus not needing physical access to any Aramco office in Saudi Arabia.

Any further info you think I should consider would be warmly welcomed. Thank you in advance!

trebbie
Advanced Member

Posts: 53

Diff between interviewing for Aramco vs Aramco subsidiary? Apr 6, 2019 11:37:14 GMT

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Post by trebbie on Apr 6, 2019 11:37:14 GMT

Hi Prospy

Nicely thought out and explained questions. If it is of any use to you, I would be positively disposed to you if you interact in the above way in person as well as in writing.

1. Yes it is possible for the interviewer to have multiple roles in mind for someone. Also flexibility is useful when being recruited. Definitely the person fitting into the organisation and the team will be important as it will be in any role. I would be surprised though if they were not interested in assessing your ability professionally at all. Prepare as if you could be asked about any of your previous roles or ones that you could turn yourself to. If you are willing to consider them be open to suggestions and questions in the interview.

2. I don't work in a non Saudi office so am not sure of the answer. However my guess would be that there is likely to be some slowdown as some form of interaction will be necessary with the Kingdom at some point. I would expect a delay. Please do be patient. Ask them whether you should expect a delay politely.

3. As above re no experience of this but my guess is that the processes including checks would be the same so I think it would be unwise to expect anything quicker.

The only other thing that springs to mind for me in relation to what you have said is that you are in the US applying for a European role. I'd have thought that this role would have been filled from the talent pool in Europe. There must be something about you that means that they are interested in possibly going to the effort of relocating you (esp as you indicated that you aren't particularly senior)...

Best of luck.

prospy
Newbie

Posts: 3

Diff between interviewing for Aramco vs Aramco subsidiary? Apr 10, 2019 17:11:52 GMT

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Post by prospy on Apr 10, 2019 17:11:52 GMT

Hi Trebbie,

Thank you for taking the time to answer and I very much appreciate the kind words. I know my situation is quite unusual given my (lack of) experience level and being in the US applying to a European role. This can be partly explained by this potential opportunity being by way of networking rather than the recruiter route. Initially I was hoping that might play a part in fast tracking things, even by Saudi standards, but I'm now realizing quite the opposite is likely to be true. To top it off, I'd need a work visa for the European country and even if everything else goes well and I'm fortunate enough to move to the offer stage, that final hurdle could yet be insurmountable. Nevertheless, I know the name of the game here is patience and I'll not fret about these obstacles until they manifest themselves.