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Post by CAWDORDON on Sept 30, 2012 11:35:02 GMT
Hi everyone,
Just a small note to say a big thnakyou for the contributors and moderators of this forum. It has been a real help for advice and information. This is my first post so go easy on me!!
I have been for an Interview in London recently and it looks like i might me made an offer of a job shortly, as i have been asked by my recruiter to send in my passport and currently salary details.
Now, i appreciate that from reading, many posts on this forum that talking money is very crass indeed, but i wondered if anyone could shed any light on the subject. I not interested in figures of GC's.
From some of the post, some people say that the job offers were based on their current salary and having been offered the same salary as your current job, albeit having the tax free status, why would you leave all your friends and family for approx 20% increase in salary.
I have loads of questions and hope you don't get sick of me asking these probably daft questions, but this is and probably will be, one of the biggest life changing decicions of mine and my familys life.
We currently live in an idylic part of the UK, with a lovely village school, a 5 min commute to my present job, a lovely village pub and family, friends local also.
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Post by vpainter on Oct 4, 2012 4:05:37 GMT
Thank you for using the forum. Each person and family have to decide if the offer they receive is good for them, no one can tell anyone else if it will be good for them.
That being said we can give opinion based on our experience.
Even though we came over at the same pay as we were making, the increase came in the tax relief from living overseas and the annual raises that could not be gotten back home, the low house rent, no maintenance on the home, no utility bills, free local telephone, free dial-up Internet or $45/ month DSL. Also the non money things are a big plus for our family. Increased family time, coming from working 60+ hours per week down to working 40 hours a week; ability to travel the world due to seven weeks vacation plus holidays and Aramco paying for one vacation a year; increased social time with friends; schools that rank in the 90th+ percentile of all public and private schools in the U.S. and in the 60th+ percentile of all private schools in the U.S.; Children and parents have many multicultural experiences.
These were all equally important to our family.
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Post by halfwaythere on Oct 4, 2012 15:35:22 GMT
CAWDORDON
If you have received ASC’s salary worksheet, that should give you a good idea of monetary benefits of working for ARAMCO. I am still in the process of hiring and have not set foot in Saudi yet, but my personal evaluation is that my current employer cannot offer me the same benefits as ARAMCOs, despite having similar base salary.
If you take into account the housing subsidy offered by ARAMCO, free utilities, 9% retirement match, repatriate allowance, expatriate allowance, vacation time etc, things start to add up and the monetary compensation levels up to 75%-100% more than the current takeout pay. I am from US where it’s hard to control the consumer habit and need and want become the same word. I assume Saudi will have lesser opportunities to throw away the money and may be cheaper than Europe and US, which will eventually save some money as well. I am expecting my money will be spent mostly in overseas travel and not locally.
Hope it bring things to perspective. Again, I am not there yet and this is just theoretical ysis.
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Post by vpainter on Oct 4, 2012 19:54:31 GMT
Actually just different things to spend money on and many things the same. You will balance spending, traveling and saving money.
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Post by Colts18 on Oct 6, 2012 13:05:09 GMT
Cawdordon,
Yes the compensation is good, but do not base your decision on that alone. The things you mention, "idyllic town", friends, commute etc may well be sacrificed, so take your time and think about it. But if you come with an open mind and don't stress out for minor inconveniences then you'll do fine. Personally, we love it here.
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Post by Hadia on Oct 7, 2012 10:14:54 GMT
Yeah, and man, do some people go through a lot of cash on regular weekend trips across the causeway, LOL.
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Post by CAWDORDON on Oct 8, 2012 18:05:05 GMT
What is a typical house rent?
What is meant by aramco paying for one vacation per year? Is that the cost of flights or an allowance towards a holiday?
What is the rent on kitchen appliances etc?
Do people have a car for on camp and a car for off camp travel fron say abqaiq to dhahran?
If my wife does not come out with me initially (possibly 12 months delay) would I be classed as single status and have my accommodation changed from family to single?
I saw on here I think something about single status employees being posted in dhahran, is this right.
Apologies for the questions.
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Post by vpainter on Oct 12, 2012 21:58:31 GMT
example of housing rent: 3Br townhouse - $495/month
Aramco pays for you to go on repat vacation once a year. They give you their price of a round trip ticket back to where you came from - that's usually standard economy fare. Then there is a percentage given as cash for the vacation. You can take the money from both of these things and use the money to go anywhere you'd like to for vacation. Any vacation time you take before or after this one is on your own dollar. Lots of vacation and holiday time for you to take several trips a year if you wanted to do so.
Your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher come with the house and are included in the rent. A washer and dryer are rented at $45/month each. Small kitchen appliances are provided by you: microwave, coffee maker, toaster, etc.
Usually people use their cars on camp and off camp. There are some camp only cars that are usually old and not in good shape.
If your wife does not come within 90 days of your arrival, you will be placed on Bachelor status first. That is like single status, except you are married. You can change to family status, and probably get to pick your family home from those available about 30 days prior to your wife's arrival. You will need to work with HR and Housing when your wife is ready to join you.
Your offer will tell you where you will be housed. No one can tell you that for sure, sorry, I know that is not real helpful.
Definitely, no apologies needed for the questions. That's what this forum is here for. Please do post your questions as they arise. Doing a search on the forum allows you to find answers to questions that have already been asked and answered.
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Post by CAWDORDON on Oct 25, 2012 19:13:43 GMT
I have had al my officail offer paperwork couriered to home for completion.
various documents, agreements etc... an info book on housing and a DVD on abqaiq
My offer just states, Monthly base salary, Monthly over base and yearly benefits suppliment. It also shows Estimated housing deduction of £305 per month.
Could anyone let me know what other items i should have in this offer letter, or is that it.
I will get around to scanning this info for other prospective aramcons to see. The DVD is a good insight into abqaiq and to be honest its looks pretty nice, No ...it actually looks Fab.
ou can reply here or pm me if its easier.
thanks
George
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Post by mkh278 on Nov 26, 2012 14:25:01 GMT
o George,
I will an interview in London as well. Could you share what was the format of interview.
thanks
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Post by sivalaya on Aug 21, 2013 20:54:55 GMT
vpainter, Can't thank enough for your excellent moderation of this forum and to your excellent replies to many new forum members. Can't imagine having such a patience, dedication to help other aramco expats. Great job.
This cost of living reply you have given is an eye opener for me. Just one clarification though, if the vacation is 7 weeks, can I just split those time into several mini-international vacations even though they pay me only once.
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Post by vpainter on Aug 23, 2013 6:00:57 GMT
Your welcome and thank you. Glad to be of help.
Your vacation time is subject to your department's supervisor/manager approval. Most people can split up their time and have one repat vacation when they get their repat vacation money and go for at least 2 weeks. There are a few departments who may require you take it a certain way.
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Post by LisbyOrtiz on Aug 31, 2013 14:58:35 GMT
I will say that prior planning to vacations are always good. I recently got an job offer and according to their terms and conditions I need to in advance give them intimation about about leaves. That seems quiet unusual. Though learned one thing that having a good cv is always important in an interview.
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Post by vpainter on Sept 1, 2013 6:27:23 GMT
Our department has us turn in our projected vacation time in January for the year.
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