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Post by scribe on Dec 13, 2022 0:24:30 GMT
I was told today by recruiter in Houston that offer is being prepared for me for senior business writer expat position in Dhahran. They did not ask for pay stubs. I am an American with 26 years professional experience. Also have a Master’s degree. What GC level and base salary range should I expect/negotiate for?
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jrs
Senior Member
Posts: 380
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Post by jrs on Dec 13, 2022 9:27:45 GMT
Hard to say not knowing the specifics of your experience, qualifications and what exactly you currently do for a living? If you are a seasoned technical and/or professional business writer, then I have no idea what they make in the USA but Aramco and you prob have an idea. They will either meet, exceed, or not meet your expectations on base salary. The premium is pretty std for everyone in the 30 to 40 percent range. If they don’t meet or exceed your base requirements, u can always negotiate for what you believe is a fair base salary with someone with your qualifications. You may need offer up your pay stubs, if you need to negotiate up and believe your current salary represents the current market for a professional business writer.
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jrs
Senior Member
Posts: 380
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Post by jrs on Dec 13, 2022 10:01:47 GMT
Let me add, I’ve noticed they don’t ask for paystubs from USA candidates including myself (I was hired on Oct 31st). Curious, if there is some legality issue with doing so for US citizens. I believe it’s illegal for US prospect employers to ask for paystubs from a candidate. They can volunteer it but can‘t be forced to provide in order to be considered for employment.
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Post by almo69 on Dec 13, 2022 15:23:20 GMT
I'm a US candidate and i have also noticed they have not asked for my paystub, just put down my current TC including base + bonus+ RSU's on the application . did they match or exceed your base when they sent the offer?
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jrs
Senior Member
Posts: 380
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Post by jrs on Dec 13, 2022 17:24:04 GMT
Exceeded the base expectations listed on my app by ~5%, so I was pleased.
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Post by scribe on Dec 14, 2022 0:29:36 GMT
I purposely did not list a salary expectation on the application because I did not want to sell myself short if they offered more. I guess I’ll see when the offer comes in the next few days. I currently make $125k base. My hope is around $150k base plus the expat premium, etc. Do you happen to know if the travel allowance is still $8400 a year or has it gone up? Also, can you provide guidance on the location cost of living adjustment?
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jrs
Senior Member
Posts: 380
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Post by jrs on Dec 14, 2022 5:17:24 GMT
Travel allowance is still good. Total varies based on city of origin and number of dependents. There is a cost of living adj but is nominal. Other one time payments include settling in allowance and cash-in lieu, if don’t ship anything over. Then of course the foreign income tax exclusion is big economic benefit.
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Post by almo69 on Dec 14, 2022 13:23:47 GMT
jrs , that's good to know. i wonder what would be the percentage for myself if i received the offer , did you fill the complete background check package before you received the offer? they keep saying it's just voluntary and does not affect when the offer will be sent! just wondering if this is the case.
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jrs
Senior Member
Posts: 380
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Post by jrs on Dec 14, 2022 19:44:33 GMT
Jun 27 - Interviewed
Aug 12 - ask submit app, BC, etc through Silkroad
Sep 15 - received offer & ask to submit additional paper work but did not have to BC form again
Oct 31 - Dept for KSA
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Post by scribe on Dec 15, 2022 1:17:32 GMT
Are the one time payments tax protected? How easy is it to leave the country for a long weekend if you wanted to go somewhere in Europe or elsewhere in Middle East? Is the Aramco transportation to and from the airport available 24/7 for all trips, whether personal or business?
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arcticengineer
Senior Member
Posts: 180
Job Status: Accepted Aramco Job
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Post by arcticengineer on Dec 16, 2022 7:39:38 GMT
Hard to say not knowing the specifics of your experience, qualifications and what exactly you currently do for a living? If you are a seasoned technical and/or professional business writer, then I have no idea what they make in the USA but Aramco and you prob have an idea. They will either meet, exceed, or not meet your expectations on base salary. The premium is pretty std for everyone in the 30 to 40 percent range. If they don’t meet or exceed your base requirements, u can always negotiate for what you believe is a fair base salary with someone with your qualifications. You may need offer up your pay stubs, if you need to negotiate up and believe your current salary represents the current market for a professional business writer. It is illegal for them to ask US citizens for their paystubs. You can send them your paystubs if you think it will help you with your negotiation. The only people that know what the grade codes and salaries are for a position, so likely none of us can answer that. From my personal experience as an engineer with over 20 years experience in the oil industry my offer was GC 14. For most expat positions, that is the maximum level you will be hired for. |
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arcticengineer
Senior Member
Posts: 180
Job Status: Accepted Aramco Job
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Post by arcticengineer on Dec 16, 2022 7:45:58 GMT
Are the one time payments tax protected? How easy is it to leave the country for a long weekend if you wanted to go somewhere in Europe or elsewhere in Middle East? Is the Aramco transportation to and from the airport available 24/7 for all trips, whether personal or business? I'm not sure what one time payments you are referring to for tax protection. Everyone has a different experience on how easy it is to get short leave approved by your supervisor. In general, taking a day or two off now and again is no problem. I've driven to Dubai for a weekend. If you can find flight times that work for you, a short weekend to Europe is doable. If flight times aren't great, you really want to take a week for Europe. Aramco does not provide transportation to the airport for personal trips, and generally you'll arrange your transportation for business trips. You hire a driver or cab. You should get some recommendations for drivers from co-workers. I have a group of drivers I've been using for years and its less expensive than a cab and they have been excellent, especially as I'm a 2 hour drive to the airport and they are always at the airport to pick me up, and they are always early when they arrive at the camp. |
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gb2ksa
Newbie
Joining in May 2023
Posts: 6
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Post by gb2ksa on Dec 16, 2022 21:40:38 GMT
Hard to say not knowing the specifics of your experience, qualifications and what exactly you currently do for a living? If you are a seasoned technical and/or professional business writer, then I have no idea what they make in the USA but Aramco and you prob have an idea. They will either meet, exceed, or not meet your expectations on base salary. The premium is pretty std for everyone in the 30 to 40 percent range. If they don’t meet or exceed your base requirements, u can always negotiate for what you believe is a fair base salary with someone with your qualifications. You may need offer up your pay stubs, if you need to negotiate up and believe your current salary represents the current market for a professional business writer. It is illegal for them to ask US citizens for their paystubs. You can send them your paystubs if you think it will help you with your negotiation. The only people that know what the grade codes and salaries are for a position, so likely none of us can answer that. From my personal experience as an engineer with over 20 years experience in the oil industry my offer was GC 14. For most expat positions, that is the maximum level you will be hired for. I have about 23 years experience in refining industry and being offered GC13 for process engineering role in Ras Tanura refinery. I asked for GC14 role but the department declined it. Is the difference between the two grades in terms of salaries and job responsibilities worth declining the offer? |
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Post by scribe on Dec 17, 2022 0:47:30 GMT
It would be great if someone could provide a full range of base salary for GC13, 14, 15. I recognize the ranges are wide.
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arcticengineer
Senior Member
Posts: 180
Job Status: Accepted Aramco Job
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Post by arcticengineer on Dec 17, 2022 7:06:21 GMT
It is illegal for them to ask US citizens for their paystubs. You can send them your paystubs if you think it will help you with your negotiation. The only people that know what the grade codes and salaries are for a position, so likely none of us can answer that. From my personal experience as an engineer with over 20 years experience in the oil industry my offer was GC 14. For most expat positions, that is the maximum level you will be hired for. I have about 23 years experience in refining industry and being offered GC13 for process engineering role in Ras Tanura refinery. I asked for GC14 role but the department declined it. Is the difference between the two grades in terms of salaries and job responsibilities worth declining the offer? My understanding is that each grade code has a range of salaries. I have no idea what the range is and I'm sure it's closely guarded so for the people wanting to know what the range is, most of us don't know and those that do aren't going to be posting it. In terms of taking a GC13 role, I wouldn't worry about if it's GC13 or GC14. I don't think there is a difference in job responsibilities, I'm a GC14 and have had GC13's as supervisors. I have GC 13 and 14 co-workers and we have identical roles and responsibilities. If the salary and benefits fit your needs and you're happy with it, go for it. As a GC13 you should be looking at a possible promotion to GC14 after 7 years of service. |
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