samlia
Advanced Member
Posts: 65
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Post by samlia on Mar 2, 2023 20:48:23 GMT
Hi everyone! This forum is super helpful, thanks to everyone who contributes to it. I was told by the recruiter that I will receive an offer in the coming days/weeks. However, after reading several threads here I am quite reluctant to take it regardless of how much they pay. Am I focusing too much on the negative aspects? Are there reasons to walk away from a good job, with a well known company, where I have a good reputation? Basically, what I read here: • Taking a job with Saudi Aramco equals to committing professional suicide. You will never get promoted. • You will work for incompetent managers and your work environment will be extremely dependent on how lucky you are with having a nice manager (maybe this is not exclusive of Aramco though). • Don’t expect challenging tasks, you will be basically doing your manager’s work and be ready for a ‘yes, sir’ atude. • You will live in a 70s style kind of house and will not be able to apply for something better for the first 2-3 years. • There is the chance that the withdraw the offer once you have quit your current job. All that on top of the extremely hot weather, living in a gated community and the bad reputation that KSA has in the West (not saying that it’s true). In short, am I missing something? are there good reasons to take a job at Saudi Aramco and relocate in Saudi Arabia beyond the salary? Thanks! A little relaxed life if you are in the office and lots of money. Other than that nothing. You are just a regular engineer there. |
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Post by djs7777 on Mar 4, 2023 18:20:29 GMT
> In short, am I missing something? are there good reasons to take a job at Saudi Aramco and relocate in Saudi Arabia beyond the salary?
No.
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jrs
Senior Member
Posts: 368
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Post by jrs on Mar 6, 2023 12:43:05 GMT
Yes, we are from the US. We love the travel benefits, the small town/community social aspect, and the overall uniqueness of living in this part of world. We have a 9 yr son that plays baseball with the baseball youth league here and actively involved with Cub Scouts. My wife and I have made lot’s of friends and involved with several self-directed community groups. We were here from 08 to 13. Left and went back to the US for 9 years - dealt with the long commutes, daily traffic and mundane suburban lifestyle making lot less money.
We missed this place and was fortunate enough to get rehired recently & return 9 years later. Yes, there are less expats here than 10 years ago but still a thriving expat community, at least that’s been our experience so far, been here for 6 months since being rehired. Plan on staying until I’m 60 this time.
However, this place is not for everyone. If you’re young in your career and wanting climb the corporate ladder, an introvert and don’t enjoy traveling or experiencing other cultures then Aramco is not for you. Aramco is more of a lifestyle rather than a career choice. If you just come for purely the money, if will be a long haul!
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Post by polini on Mar 6, 2023 17:54:06 GMT
How much is a lot of money for you? please can you share an estimated net after tax amount thanks Hi everyone! This forum is super helpful, thanks to everyone who contributes to it. I was told by the recruiter that I will receive an offer in the coming days/weeks. However, after reading several threads here I am quite reluctant to take it regardless of how much they pay. Am I focusing too much on the negative aspects? Are there reasons to walk away from a good job, with a well known company, where I have a good reputation? Basically, what I read here: • Taking a job with Saudi Aramco equals to committing professional suicide. You will never get promoted. • You will work for incompetent managers and your work environment will be extremely dependent on how lucky you are with having a nice manager (maybe this is not exclusive of Aramco though). • Don’t expect challenging tasks, you will be basically doing your manager’s work and be ready for a ‘yes, sir’ atude. • You will live in a 70s style kind of house and will not be able to apply for something better for the first 2-3 years. • There is the chance that the withdraw the offer once you have quit your current job. All that on top of the extremely hot weather, living in a gated community and the bad reputation that KSA has in the West (not saying that it’s true). In short, am I missing something? are there good reasons to take a job at Saudi Aramco and relocate in Saudi Arabia beyond the salary? Thanks! A little relaxed life if you are in the office and lots of money. Other than that nothing. You are just a regular engineer there. |
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Post by vilgelm75 on Mar 15, 2023 8:14:31 GMT
o everyone,
After 2 months from interview my status now is "Thanks for your effort so far. Your recruiter will connect to you when we can continue the process". Can anyone share his experience.
Is there anyone hired after this status?
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jrs
Senior Member
Posts: 368
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Post by jrs on Mar 15, 2023 15:50:08 GMT
Yes, I was. Just means you’re still consideration but maybe delay or additional time needed for decision for any numbers of reasons on your app & results of interview, which could be a contingent offer, another interview or not selected.
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Post by browncol on Mar 27, 2023 14:18:38 GMT
o!!!I attended interview on feb. in Houston, my status is still “ under review”, And no word from my recruiter
Any advice?
Thanks….
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Post by asgo2021 on Mar 27, 2023 14:25:21 GMT
You shall wait... Be patience....I had my interview last year in November and received the offer end of January and now I am clearing contingences. I understand you very well but the key is to be patience.
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jsam
Senior Member
Joining in March 2023
Posts: 157
Job Status: Aramco Employee
Member is Online
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Post by jsam on Mar 27, 2023 15:35:59 GMT
o!!!I attended interview on feb. in Houston, my status is still “ under review”, And no word from my recruiter Any advice? Thanks…. And since Ramadan has just started, this will slow down whole process even further. |
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Post by lookback on Mar 28, 2023 13:50:03 GMT
I attended face to face interview after 2 months I was invited for online interview for more specific group of people. They said they wanted to hire but not a direct hiring because of my experience (9.5 years).
I would be a hired as a service consultant with contractor.
Do you have any idea about this?
I am still waiting offer but I m not sure is it better or not beeing hire directly or with contract?
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Post by ekrohn on Mar 28, 2023 14:55:55 GMT
I attended face to face interview after 2 months I was invited for online interview for more specific group of people. They said they wanted to hire but not a direct hiring because of my experience (9.5 years). I would be a hired as a service consultant with contractor. Do you have any idea about this? I am still waiting offer but I m not sure is it better or not beeing hire directly or with contract? Can I ask what the role and the minimum required level of experience was? |
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Post by BlueStaff on Mar 29, 2023 3:29:03 GMT
I attended face to face interview after 2 months I was invited for online interview for more specific group of people. They said they wanted to hire but not a direct hiring because of my experience (9.5 years). I would be a hired as a service consultant with contractor. Do you have any idea about this? I am still waiting offer but I m not sure is it better or not beeing hire directly or with contract? As SMP contractor you will not be eligble for things like yearly bonus (1.5 - 2 months base salary), 20% discount share purchase plan and repat payments. You will need to find your own accomodation off camp and neither will you be able to use the Aramco on camp facilities or be eligible for schooling for kids. You will receive 1 or 2 vacations per year flights paid depending on you point of origin. Salary may seem generous at first, but based on SMP colleagues you will reach the "ceiling" after 3-4 years and from that point on you won't receive a rise. Promotion also takes a long time as SMP if it happens at all (eg 7 years+ if at all). The contractors also have a habit of promising the earth and delivering only dirt. I know individuals who were promised a car, Aramco compound accomodation and conversion to direct hire after 2 years - none of which happened and 9 years later they are still SMP contractors who haven't had a rise in 5 years. Basically if you are working contract jobs - it may be worth trying out. If you are direct hire with a good package and company then consider carefully if it is worth the upheaval for a contract job. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2023 5:13:46 GMT
I attended face to face interview after 2 months I was invited for online interview for more specific group of people. They said they wanted to hire but not a direct hiring because of my experience (9.5 years). I would be a hired as a service consultant with contractor. Do you have any idea about this? I am still waiting offer but I m not sure is it better or not beeing hire directly or with contract? As SMP contractor you will not be eligble for things like yearly bonus (1.5 - 2 months base salary), 20% discount share purchase plan and repat payments. You will need to find your own accomodation off camp and neither will you be able to use the Aramco on camp facilities or be eligible for schooling for kids. You will receive 1 or 2 vacations per year flights paid depending on you point of origin. Salary may seem generous at first, but based on SMP colleagues you will reach the "ceiling" after 3-4 years and from that point on you won't receive a rise. Promotion also takes a long time as SMP if it happens at all (eg 7 years+ if at all). The contractors also have a habit of promising the earth and delivering only dirt. I know individuals who were promised a car, Aramco compound accomodation and conversion to direct hire after 2 years - none of which happened and 9 years later they are still SMP contractors who haven't had a rise in 5 years. Basically if you are working contract jobs - it may be worth trying out. If you are direct hire with a good package and company then consider carefully if it is worth the upheaval for a contract job. Presumably as a contractor you will be getting a better base salary compare to being on the payroll? Usually works well if you are alone, less so with a family. The Aramco package really is just housing, schooling and a small annual bonus. Repats are a gov requirement for skilled expats, you should be getting this or an equivalent. The big $ difference is probably the paid leave and the housing which is expensive in Dhahran/Khobar, especially if you have a family. Might make the entire thing financially unviable. Do your sums. |
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Post by lookback on Mar 29, 2023 7:06:51 GMT
Thank you very much for your detail answer
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Post by gideonz on Feb 17, 2024 4:31:04 GMT
I've been here for 6 years, and in that time, I've seen a lot of positive changes across Kingdom. It's unfortunate to see a lot of the negative comments posted, and I won't waste my time quoting anyone or giving my opinion. Best thing to do is visit on evisa prior to making any decisions. All the best! I am currently considering an offer, and have considered making a trip to KSA before making a decision. Did anyone else do this before starting? If so, what did you see/do while there to get a feel for the area or company? |
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