Is there any age limit for the new hires?

If you are 58 they will not hire you unless they really need you.
As retirement age is 60 years old here.
They will also not recruit if you are fresh out of college.
you must have years of experience...
Again, it depends on the job you are being hired for.

I have 2 colleagues in my departement who had joined at their age of 56 and 57. If policy says the age limt for hiring is 55, then they might got the upper manager's approval.

Will be 50 years in age in few months. Do you think it is worthwhile to accept job in Aramco at this age as far as benefits are concerned. Your input will be highly appreciated.

stmayo11,

Well, here's my story regarding this. I was brought over just two weeks ago after going through almost 8 months of the hiring process. At the time I initially was offered the position and accepted, I was 58. My recruiter (whom will remain nameless) in Houston obviously knew how old I was when he made me the offer, and even made reference to it as he was going over my offer letter and the salary and benefits breakdown.

So anyway, I get over here to Saudi Arabia, spend the first two weeks trying to get my life together (getting internet and phone service set up, getting cell phone service, getting I.Ds and iqama, attending endless new hire orientations and workshops, and trying to learn everyone's name at work), and BAM! I'm told yesterday by my boss and an HR rep that I'm being let go. Why?.....because Aramco's policy sets the mandatory age for retirement at 60, and the company didn't feel it would be worth their resources to keep me on when I would turn that age within the next year. Yes, I know new hires go through a 3-month probation period where Aramco can let you go for basically any reason. But I couldn't believe my age was the reason. I absolutely cannot see the logic behind it. Why would this company go through all the time, effort and expense to bring me over just to terminate my employment with them two weeks after I arrive? So what I'll be 60 in another year. Just give me an extension of a few years and let me work. I'm already here.

I was offered this job because of my qualifications. If my age was such an issue why was I even offered this job to begin with? In most other countries this would be blatant discrimination subject to a criminal lawsuit. I resigned from my previous job to take this one--travelling 7,000 miles away to begin what I thought would be an exciting and rewarding experience, only to get shafted in this most uncermonious fashion. Now I have to find a new job and a new place to live. And who knows how long that will take in today's economy? The one saving grace in all this is that I got at least one month's pay out of Aramco that includes the expat allowance and the settling in allowance. Together this equals to over two month's salary at my last job, plus they'll pay me for unused leave days (31 days). I suppose I should thank them for that. But the real issue here is a basic disconnect witin Aramco's management and policy in terms of their recruitment and general HR practice. All I have to say about this age issue is "BUYER BEWARE!"

hrehman,
I appreciate your concern, and yes I would agree with you. My gut feeling is that my recruiter and my boss at Aramco were probably having conversations (without me knowing of course), and my bosses at Aramco told the recruiter to go ahead and offer me the position while they worked on trying to get the extension which they thought would go through with no problems. Obviously that didn't happen. If this is what indeed happened, then my bosses here in Dhahran should have just waited till the approval from Aramco was "firm" before telling the recruiter to offer me the position. They took a gamble (at my expense), but I'm the one who gets shafted. If I had the time and financial resources I'd fight this. Unfortunately I have neither right now. I need to spend what time I have looking for another job. Thanks alot Aramco--for nothing!

palbody,

As mentioned in the earlier reply, there is no age restriction for those applying for jobs with Aramco--at least none that is written down in any of their HR hiring policies. What recruiters and the HR people say and do behind closed doors however is a different story. And the applicant has no control over that. For one, hiring (or not hiring) based on ones age is illegal and could make the company liable for discriminatory practice if they hire an older candidate, then try and fire them once they're here--as was done in my case. It's bad enough that they ask your age on your initial application paperwork. But if you apply and get an interview, then a job offer, then the age thing obviously is not an issue. I was 58 when I applied and got an offer, so go figure. I've been here in the Kingdom now going on two 1/2 months and all I can say is if you think you've got the qualifications and experience don't let your age be a barrier to applying. Keep in mind however, that the 60 year old retirement age policy is strictly adhered to. And as mentioned previously some people once they reach 60 can and do get extensions. I've heard however that 65 is the maximum they keep anyone here. While it is to one's advantage (financially) to start working with Aramco at a young age, one can still save a nice chunk of change and use Aramco as a resume builder--even if you only plan to work for them for one year (as in my case).

I am able to bank about 70% of my monthly pay and still live quite comfortably. After only one year here I will have saved about $90,000. Try and do that with any job in your native country. For me, it's definately worth it--even for the one year I'll be with them. Right now I'm deciding whether to put the money into a down payment for a house, or buy a car I've always wanted. To be honest, that 2013 Porsche convertible is looking really sweet. And I'll be able to walk into the dealer and pay cash for it. It's all in your priorities and your perspective on things. Who knows? I may get lucky and be offered an extension. Decisions, decisions..................

Good luck to you.

Mandatory retirement at 60. No one hired beyond that age. Prior to that if they want you they can hire you.