Nola
Member
Posts: 22
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Post by Nola on Jun 19, 2012 17:07:57 GMT
o! My first post! I was recently extended an offer to work for Aramco which I accepted by email 20 days ago. Soon after accepting by email, I signed and Fedexed the hard copy forms back to ASC with degree/passport/marriage certificate copies, that was about 10 days ago. In these 20 days, I have heard nothing from ASC despite leaving a few voicemails and sending emails asking for an appropriate time to call. My offer letter said..."If you have any questions, please give us a call..." which I do, and did...but now all communications have gone silent. My recruiter was very responsive before I accepted the offer.
I am familiar with the patience mantra, but I am just feeling a little marooned. This would strictly be an ASC interaction, so KSA timing/work week/delay of signatures shouldn't be a factor.
Is this normal? Did this happen to you? When may I see the large BI/Medical packet forms about which everyone posts?
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Post by vpainter on Jun 20, 2012 5:29:47 GMT
Yes, can be normal. Especially if vacation time ha.
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Post by GinaRN on Jun 20, 2012 7:23:05 GMT
Pretty normal. Some recruiters and relocation advisors are better at responding quickly than the others. But when everyone says patience is key....it really is. I look at it as 'hurry up and wait'. If you see some posts about timelines there are individuals whose process from interview to moving into the kingdom was a year! There is ALOT of paperwork and back and forth that will occur. I found it was easier to deal with by not telling many people. The more friends and family knew I was leaving, the more questions they had and the less answers I knew. Everyone's timeline varies, which makes it difficult to know exact dates. If you are a Type A personality that has to know everything this will be difficult for you. Possible, but difficult. Hang tight!
The work ethic seems to be a bit different than I am used to. Not bad, just different. The days are not as long and there are alot more vacations than I am familiar with. Take that into account when everything is not as smooth as you are used to. Best wishes and congrats on your job! Which camp will you be moving to? I am going to Abqaiq, moving within the next month.
Gina
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Uman
Senior Member
Posts: 161
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Post by Uman on Jun 20, 2012 13:59:50 GMT
Things move very slowly.
One guy asks another guy who says, I dunno, ring here.....You ring there and another guy gives you the original number you called in the first place!
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Post by Overland on Jun 20, 2012 16:17:10 GMT
Nola -
I suggest looking at the Houston ASC thread to see the various timelines. That will give you some idea of anticipated delay. I don't think that your times are inconsistent with others. My impression is that timing between submittal stages is starting to stretch out a bit as key players are starting to take vacations.
I also share your concern over lack of information on progress. It can be frustrating, but part of the patience (sabr) that is a key component to doing business in KSA. I am doing everything on my part to make sure that the delay is not coming from my end. That is the least I can do. The rest is out of my hands.
Gina gives good advice. Don't let the world know what you are doing. The more who know, the more the pressure. We are further along in the process than you. I have a rare window where it may be relatively easy to sell my house. The house is staged, the yard is looking at it's prime, photos have been taken, and the listing contract is ready to be executed. Unfortunately, we have no idea if I have passed Med or BI yet. It would be a tough position to enter into a sales contract not knowing if and when we are to relocate. So...we wait patiently for information. Sabr.
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Nola
Member
Posts: 22
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Post by Nola on Jun 20, 2012 17:48:17 GMT
Thank you for your replies! They have helped put my mind at ease. I have been following this forum for several years so I expected a slow process on the whole, but I never imagined this particular phase would be so quiet. I imagined I would accept my offer and receive the BI/Med packet within a week or so. From looking at the timelines, it appears most people receive their BI/Med packets within 1-2 weeks of acceptance...
Gina's advice is very good. We have remained rather tight-lipped about our intention to move to KSA, only telling a few close family members. It is a huge secret to carry around, though, on most days. There is so much to do just around moving and selling a home that cannot even begin until you know you are leaving...at which point there is so little time to do it all. None of which is made easier by the fact that I work rotationally now.
I just need to remind myself that I have a good job right now and if everything works out with Aramco it is all lagniappe.
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Post by Shorty on Jun 26, 2012 14:50:25 GMT
Hi, I have just been come to the end of my process and I am flying out on 13 July. It has been a long process but patience does help. I am so excited and looking forward to this great opportunity and at present running round like a loony getting things sorted and visiting everyone.
I have looked on the forum for new arrivals and seen all the information which has been a great help.
Does anybody have any other good tips / hints that would be beneficial to me.
I have a fantastic CD collection which I have today gone through and packed what is suitable material in line with customs rules, I am just worried that they may confiscate the whole collection, I have listed all artist so hopefully there should not be any problem. Anybody had any experience with shipping cd music.
Also I would like to bring my duck down quilt and pillows, silly but they are my home comforts, however can anybody advice if the local Ikea sell duck down or just polyester quilts?
Any other useful information would be welcomed.
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Nola
Member
Posts: 22
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Post by Nola on Jun 26, 2012 15:33:01 GMT
Update: My BI/Medical packet arrived! It took about 2.5 weeks from the time ASC received my signed Fedex packet. I suppose this was a good first lesson in patience and trust that the system is working. Let the form filling begin!
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kilted_highlander78
Guest
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Post by kilted_highlander78 on Jun 27, 2012 15:31:31 GMT
congrats all...
As someone who recently went through all these forms...I can advise you to read every single word carefully, and most impartantily read the relocation guide for it has all the answers to your questions.
Good luck
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Post by Nonno on Jun 28, 2012 15:12:28 GMT
My experience was somewhat similar. It took ten calendar days from the time I received confirmation that my paper work had been processes (June 15th) to the time my packet with ALL of the paperwork arrived (June 25th). The BI and Medical Questionnaire were returned June 26th and received by Houston June 27th. The second set of paper work is ready to be returned as soon as I get back from the bank.
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