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Post by Kathy0050 on Jun 26, 2012 5:43:07 GMT
o Everyone,
I am new to this forum and am hoping to find out what the staffing situation is with the new King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture. Back in January, a LONG list of positions was posted on the jobsataramco website, and then most of them were removed at the end of March. I met the requirements for two positions, applied for both, and haven't heard a word since. When I search on-line, it appears that the center is not yet operational, so I am wondering if the positions have actually been filled, or if there has been a delay and I may still hear something.
Thanks to anyone who can shed a little light on this for me :?
Kathy
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Post by psode on Jun 28, 2012 0:59:06 GMT
Hi Kathy,
I am in a similar situation. I applied back in October of 2011 for a position at the King Abdulaziz Center. They contacted me in January and asked me to interview. They flew me down, and I interviewed in Houston at the beginning of February. The interview went very well, and I felt confident that I was a good fit for the position that was discussed. I was asked for pay stubs two weeks later and sent them in. I got an email saying that they had received my pay stubs, and I would hear from my recruiter "shortly." A couple of weeks later, I noticed that the posting for the job that we discussed had been removed from the website.
I have heard absolutely nothing since. I tried emailing and never got a response. I called a few times, but never got to talk to a real person. I am not sure what to think.
The website has been under construction for quite a while now, and I haven't seen any information on the progress of the center. If anyone knows anything, it would be nice to get some kind of understanding.
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Post by Kathy0050 on Jun 28, 2012 1:05:59 GMT
Hmmmm . . . given that no one else has responded and that you've been interviewed and left hanging, it seems like maybe they haven't actually completed staffing the center. I am hoping I may hear something yet, and I wish you all the best too!
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Post by soverydeb on Jun 28, 2012 2:11:32 GMT
The last time we drove past it, it was still under construction.
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Post by Yes-No-Maybe?? on Jun 28, 2012 19:30:58 GMT
o there I was in a similar position to you. I had an unsatisfactory interview for a role back in September 2011. I expected to hear back within 5 weeks. After about 4 month my application was put 'On Hold'. I was finally rejected after another 4 months. Throughout the whole process I got to learn nothing about what is going on there other than what I read on the internet. At last and at least I was informed before it became impossible for me to accepted work there or it had opened. A lot of applicants experience a process that makes watching paint dry look like a whirlwind. Its impossible to blame anyone with out understanding how things are done there. To do that you have to be part of the set up. The recruiter cant tell you anything until they have information. There seem to be dozens of amazing jobs going though one office at the same time and I bet very few of them are straight forward. If you are from an Arts background like myself I will not need to tell you how poor this is and how counter productive it can be. Its possible that you are been considered for another role and/or they can easily contact you some time in the future..and it happens apparently. I actually encoued a few people to look at the Centre and consider applying. That was before I learned of some applicants experiences and my own. This did lead to some embarrassment later on. I do hope hear some thing soon and maybe get to do your best work ever. Amongst other things that’s what seemed to be promised and I hope the Aramco system and methods don’t foul that happening  |
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Post by expatwife on Jun 29, 2012 16:40:50 GMT
Kathy, I pm you.
I dont think it was a foul job position. My husband will be working there. He was in Feb interview.
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Post by Kathy0050 on Jun 29, 2012 20:36:47 GMT
o!
Thanks so much for your forum replies and PMs. I am very grateful to have a better sense of what is going on. Because I am new to the forum, I am not yet able to respond to PMs to say 'thank you'.
What I can ascertain is that some hiring/staffing has taken place, but that the Center won't be open to the public for years. So, for those of us who remain interested in these positions, it appears that we may still have a chance. I haven't interviewed and am just speculating, but wonder if maybe when all of the new positions for the Center were posted, the timeline for completion of the Center was overly optimistic, so maybe they got a little ahead of themselves.
Initally, when I looked online to to learn all that I could about the Center, I found a lot of old articles about it and each one had a different projected date for the opening. Some were as early as 2010. This appears to be a massive undertaking in terms of building construction, program development, and staffing, and I guess that progress has been slower than anticipated. So . . . I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope I'll still be contacted for an interview.
Best of luck to those of you out there who are hoping for the same!
Kathy
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Post by Yes-No-Maybe?? on Jun 30, 2012 11:25:58 GMT
o Kathy I expect that you would be happy to at last see some discussion about this subject if you have been checking this website for very long. I believe you are right in saying that most of the online references are very out of date and originate from initial press releases after the project was announced, during a big Aramco anniversary. The 'skin' of the building and its cores are very technical but, that’s not to say it will be way over schedule. This construction would count as a major project in any part of the world and challenging in its technical scope alone. One of the things I have learnt during my research is that Saudi Arabia and Aramco are strong cultures. This is an oil company doing an arts project with out universal local support. Things are going to be different that much is certain. Its has a long future I would say and if you are willing, able and interested there is every chance ..if you have the time. In my case been interviewed was worse than not getting a response. I was given no overview and did not discuss the role or project at all!! then waited months for any info..how worthwhile is that? These initial roles are a special call to set foundations. It is wrong for a start up to leave applicants feeling powerless or just discarded although, I suppose they have to work through the systems in place for the company. expatwife .....you have misunderstood me. Big respect to anyone willing to go out to work on this project and congratulations and good luck to those who made it. |
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Post by ohcanada on Jul 3, 2012 17:00:31 GMT
Hi all - they are definitely hiring for the Center - I was hired from the Feb. job fair and will be there in late August. I am in the visa stage, now. I think the project is very complicated but I believe it will open next year. There are lots of jobs still to be filled, so I would recommend applying for every job you see that is even vaguely similar to your choice. That way, your cv and name keep coming up in the searches; I got that advice from an interviewer when I was in Houston. And don't lose hope that your dream job is gone. They have a lot more hiring to do. I will know more by early Sept. when I start working there, so feel free to message me then!
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Post by Yes-No-Maybe?? on Jul 3, 2012 22:18:26 GMT
Hi there For anyone interested there are some photos of the construction site to be found on " Trip Advisor' the website of all places. They seem to be taken by one of the construction team. He is obviously very proud of what is happening and is in about half of the photos! Lots of steel work but, you get an idea.  |
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Post by Kathy0050 on Jul 4, 2012 6:56:42 GMT
Thanks for posting OhCanada--
It's good to know that hiring is underway and they are moving forward. I think you received good advice--thanks for passing it along. I will definitely follow it : )
Kathy
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Post by pbedorah on Oct 18, 2012 18:28:15 GMT
Hi Ohcanda,
I just wanted to touch base with you; I was also interviewed in February and should be in kingdom by the end of December. I was curious as to your position at the center where I also will be working. How are you getting along and where are you living. Hope to hear from you. Thanks
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Post by ohcanada on Oct 23, 2012 19:24:35 GMT
Hi - I sent a PM to you, pbedorah. I'd be glad to offer any advice or exchange info about the Center. I don't have my visa yet but I see a few Canadians are finally getting theirs so I hope I am next!
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Post by pbedorah on Oct 24, 2012 11:49:24 GMT
Hi Ohcanada,
I am really new at this posting so excuse me if I have no idea what a PM is?? It sounds like you and I will be arriving pretty close together. I am waiting on my visa also with an arrival date near the end of December. I will be working as a library coordinator at the center and I am very excited about it. I used to leave in the Adirondack Mountain area, spent a lot of time growing up on the St. Lawrence River, but currently I live in North Carolina and I will miss it greatly I'm sure!
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Post by vpainter on Oct 24, 2012 18:30:19 GMT
pbedorah, PM is the private message system of the forum. It is accessed by clicking on a user's name and then clicking on PM: "Send a private message". The ability to PM comes after your approval period on the forum.
Thank you for using the forum.
Congratulations on your new job!
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