Job Discussion Forums

lucreziaborgia · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 177

How much help does one receive from an employer or a recruiter after an offer of work has been made?
That is, advice on visa matters, health check and anything else that is essential.
When can an offer of work be regarded as 'firm'?
What is the test? Shocked

johnslat · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject:

Dear lucreziaborgia,
I'll be surprised if your query receives any (other) replies since I'm afraid it probably falls into the "how long is a piece of string" category.
There are a considerable number of employers and recruiters in the Kingdom, and the "help" one can/might receive from them will vary widely
(from none to not enough, usually.)
It would help if you could be a little more specific.
Regards,
John

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:03 pm Post subject:

All I know is that you shouldn't expect much if any help at all from any employer once you reach Saudi Arabia. In my experience, you are lucky if you are dumped off in a clean apartment with food....more likely it will be a dusty place with no food or water and you will be left to your own devices. Even if you or a family member needs medical attention this time, you will probably have to find it on your own.

I expected at least a litle bit of hand-holding for the first week, but boy was I wrong. Self-sufficiency is the name of the game.

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

johnslat · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject:

Dear Mia,
On my first trip (1980) to Saudi (Riyadh) in August, I arrived during Eid-al-Fitr. Surprise - no one was at the airport to meet me, and, of course, the IPA was all shut down.
Fortunately, I had brought along a brochure (mostly in Arabic) with the names of some staff. So, I got some halala and a phone book and started dialing. It took a while (and a lot of halala), but I finally reached someone (who spoke English) who managed to reach someone who would come to get me.
I'll say this - it was a good introduction/preparation for my stay there.
Regards,
John

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Be very self-sufficient if you are going to the Kingdom. I read that on Dave's before I did my stint in the Kingdom and it was the best advice I got.

You will not (in some cases, to qualify it) get the basic information about your job and the institutions expectations of you. Then you are held responsible for what you don't know.

leez · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject:

ohhhhh, great! just when i have my provisions reduced to carry-on proportions, i'm thinking that might need to be an expandable bag filled with trail bars/mix, a couple doses of antibiotics and an english-arabic dictionary...

i'm reminded of summer 1980. armed with backpack, flew to seoul with the intent of spending some months touring the country. i couldn't tell a stop sign from a bus schedule. after making my way 'round europe for over 3 years, did not stop to think that i couldn't visit asia likewise....live and learn!

back to the OP's intent: i know not what lies ahead in terms of 'help/advice/direction,' so am taking advantage of the contacts i have now in terms of answering questions, getting things straight. maybe i'm being fed a crock, but i cannot think that now. always hoping for the good in people (i know that will get a rise out of a few, sorry, it's back to the golden rule standard) Razz

good day,
leezer
xo

johnslat · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:38 pm Post subject:

Dear leez,
I think it's always good practice to hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Regards,
John
P.S. No matter what, at least you'll have clean teeth and something to read.

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

Leez

"hoping for the good in people" ...

That's your best asset. It's heartening to see someone with such a good attitude. Mixed with a sprinkling of realism though.
Good luck

LOL

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

Sounds like some real had-luck stories out there. We were always fortunate to have a GR (Government Relations) and a HR guy at our beck and call.

On our first arrival in the early 90's...even tho it took us four hours to get thru riyadh airport, our faithful meet and greeter was waiting there with the car. He had to have been there for at least five hours by that time.

But, that was working for some really, really 5-star companies which have, unfortunately, gone away and way, way, way before these shady recruiters opened up for business.

In retrospect, maybe we should felt pampered judging from the stories on this thread. For us, it was jes' business as usual. I found it laughable when a certain compound mate became miffed when the company announced that due to budget cutbacks and the fact that they had relocated us to a compound (with a wave pool!) that they could only provide us with transporation either to or from the airport.

Life is tough, hain't it...

NCTBA

lucreziaborgia · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 177

Thanks everyone.
I have been offered a position in KSA and would like to accept it.
Reading this site makes me doubt myself. Some descriptions have been graphic about the conditions some of you have experienced and I question my coping skills.
I have been working in a developing country for 3 years and although
some situations are challenging, I have never been put in danger, lived or worked in substandard conditions or been treated with disdain or contempt.
I have to make some major changes in my life over the next few days and it seems that it's a risky business expecting anything will be forthcoming. Will I waste a huge amount of time, energy and money getting to KSA only to find...?
How does one make an informed decision?
OK. I appreciate I'm asking 'How long is a piece of string?'
Most of you must have had the same doubts as mine and yet you went, coped and survived.

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Middle East Beast, if you've been here fifteen years on various contracts you're going to find it hard to convince people you think the place is all bad. Actions speak louder than words.

As far as we know the only really abusive contract you had was with Khafji joint ventures, which is surprising as it's a government-owned entity. but less so when you realize where it is (all the Saudis and Kuwaitis piss off to Kuwait City at weekends leaving the TCNs to man the tents).

What people writing here tend to forget is just how awful most TEFL employers are outside of Saudi, and that is was that which drove us here in the first place.

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree