Post by sho on Mar 19, 2023 14:23:54 GMT
Hi all, just wanted to share my opinion and experience for the secretary role single status.
Timeline:
Feb 1, 2023 - Initial contact from the recruiter
Feb 9 - Pre-Screen Interview
Mar 16 - Workshop in London
Mar 17 - Job offered
Apr 21 - Conditional Offer/Salary Offer received
Apr 27 - I sent salary counteroffer, response received the same day
May 5 - Initial call to discuss the process further
June 12 - Medical appointment
Jan 24 2024 - Visa block received
I am currently in the process of having the official offer formulated in the next 3-6 weeks. From having the interview/workshop to the job offer was only one day a part, the recruiter said it was very fast, which I agree. During the workshop I understood that Aramco has a policy change (more budget) for lots of managers to have PA's where before they did not have the opportunity to have a PA, that is why they are hiring really fast now for PA role.
It is expected that after having the salary offer (in the next 3-6 weeks) and relocating to Saudi is another 3-4months. I would say it is very quick.
Interviews:
Prepare answering a quite routine questions. What is your weakness? What is your strength? What do you know about Aramco and why you'd like to work there? What was the biggest challenge you had in your current previous employment? In my case I had two quite short interviews in one day, the interviewers are very efficient and straight to the point.The negative aspect was that they are looking to employ an experienced and competent person for the role, however they are not evaluating the character or if the candidate is a good fit for particular manager/executive. I do wish they had this opportunity to also have interviews with the person that you will be reporting to, because I believe that as a PA you spent hours everyday with the person and it is important to know if you can work with that person.
I understand they are unable to do it as they do not know who is going to be the person you will be reporting yet, due to unpredictable hiring process times.
Also, important to know that you will be placed in the department that you are currently in. E.g. if you have background in NHS you will be most likely put as a PA in medical. Which is fair enough, however I have worked in two industries but they favoured one over another (which you will not have much say about).
Typing test:
I was anxious that my speed was lower than 55WPM (they did not say what was my score), but then I was not asked to retake the test so I assumed that it was good enough for them. However, I had an acquaintance who also started the interview process the same time as me and they did ask her to retake the test.
Accommodation:
I received all the same information about apartments and townhouses. So nothing new. I was interested in the possibility of having pets, however the Talent Acquisition rep said that it is unlikely I will be able to bring pets as most apartments are not pet-friendly. The apartments are not shared so you do have a bedroom, living room and your private bathroom and kitchen. The rent including bills is 180GBP.
Benefits:
They offer 30 days holidays, however this is 30 calendar days (so the weekend is considered a part of your leave). You have to take at least 14 days consecutive leave outside Saudi Arabia, they encoue people having longer breaks and seeing their families.
The relocation/shipping compensation is paid after you move.
So far this is it. I am excited to hear about the compensation offer in the next weeks and I'll be able to make a decision if I would like to proceed. I'll update the post if I have any useful information. Meanwhile you can reach out to me if somebody is considering applying for PA, I can share more.
Timeline:
Feb 1, 2023 - Initial contact from the recruiter
Feb 9 - Pre-Screen Interview
Mar 16 - Workshop in London
Mar 17 - Job offered
Apr 21 - Conditional Offer/Salary Offer received
Apr 27 - I sent salary counteroffer, response received the same day
May 5 - Initial call to discuss the process further
June 12 - Medical appointment
Jan 24 2024 - Visa block received
I am currently in the process of having the official offer formulated in the next 3-6 weeks. From having the interview/workshop to the job offer was only one day a part, the recruiter said it was very fast, which I agree. During the workshop I understood that Aramco has a policy change (more budget) for lots of managers to have PA's where before they did not have the opportunity to have a PA, that is why they are hiring really fast now for PA role.
It is expected that after having the salary offer (in the next 3-6 weeks) and relocating to Saudi is another 3-4months. I would say it is very quick.
Interviews:
Prepare answering a quite routine questions. What is your weakness? What is your strength? What do you know about Aramco and why you'd like to work there? What was the biggest challenge you had in your current previous employment? In my case I had two quite short interviews in one day, the interviewers are very efficient and straight to the point.The negative aspect was that they are looking to employ an experienced and competent person for the role, however they are not evaluating the character or if the candidate is a good fit for particular manager/executive. I do wish they had this opportunity to also have interviews with the person that you will be reporting to, because I believe that as a PA you spent hours everyday with the person and it is important to know if you can work with that person.
I understand they are unable to do it as they do not know who is going to be the person you will be reporting yet, due to unpredictable hiring process times.
Also, important to know that you will be placed in the department that you are currently in. E.g. if you have background in NHS you will be most likely put as a PA in medical. Which is fair enough, however I have worked in two industries but they favoured one over another (which you will not have much say about).
Typing test:
I was anxious that my speed was lower than 55WPM (they did not say what was my score), but then I was not asked to retake the test so I assumed that it was good enough for them. However, I had an acquaintance who also started the interview process the same time as me and they did ask her to retake the test.
Accommodation:
I received all the same information about apartments and townhouses. So nothing new. I was interested in the possibility of having pets, however the Talent Acquisition rep said that it is unlikely I will be able to bring pets as most apartments are not pet-friendly. The apartments are not shared so you do have a bedroom, living room and your private bathroom and kitchen. The rent including bills is 180GBP.
Benefits:
They offer 30 days holidays, however this is 30 calendar days (so the weekend is considered a part of your leave). You have to take at least 14 days consecutive leave outside Saudi Arabia, they encoue people having longer breaks and seeing their families.
The relocation/shipping compensation is paid after you move.
So far this is it. I am excited to hear about the compensation offer in the next weeks and I'll be able to make a decision if I would like to proceed. I'll update the post if I have any useful information. Meanwhile you can reach out to me if somebody is considering applying for PA, I can share more.
That is odd and big difference! As of the accommodation price,the workshop slides showed 200$ but the Talent Acquisition rep confirmed it is 180GBP, as the slides may not be the most recent. 