Job Discussion Forums

Tyke · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Location: UK

Looks like HAK via Expat-teaching (?) are hoovering up all we old lags of The Muddle East.
I'm being flown out mid Sept. to land at Tamimi compound on the confusing base salary plus acommodation allowance deal.
Questions - how do we get to work and what about getting over to R and R in Bahrain. I've been told you have to wait until probation is over? Is this so?

Paul in Saudi · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 404 Location: Doha, Qatar

Kindly check your PMs.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

He needs to have 5 posts before he can do PMs.

VS

Tyke · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Location: UK

Not to receive VS. Anyway that's my 5 - soon be up to 11,000+ Wink

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I figured that my post might give you the chance to get number 5, so you can send too. Cool

(and PaulinSaudi has been away for awhile and may not be aware of the 5 PM rule)

VS

saxmanrandy · Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 7

Are the HAK and SRACO offers comparable? Any info guys?

I am a veteran teacher of 24 years, 10 at uni level, M. Ed. TESOL, completed Ph. D. work (ABD) in literature.

Thanks for the info.

There...that is 5 posts!

egyptfan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Middle East

Generally contractors offer the same salary, as agreed and dictated by Aramco. Given your experience and background, you should be getting in the 8K$ a month region (c.5k and a mark up of 60-65%), but you pay for everything yourself out of this. You find and pay for your own accommodation and what costs what has already been mentioned.
As regards which is better, most generally agree that HAK seems to be more organized i.e. less difficulties with visa procurement, better follow-up on arrival, etc. In other words, they seem to know what they are doing as they probably have more experience than SRACO in this field.

Given your experience, would you not consider looking at a company like BAe, where you are better looked after? Apart from a much better lifestyle than living in the community or paying a large chunk of your salary for a compound, the teaching environment is quite different. The students are more or less the same but the materials (in-house and Cuttting Edge) are far better than those used in Aramco, especially in the basic programme, where most new hires find themselves. Holidays are better (9 weeks as opposed to 6), you have shorter working hours and the leave ticketing is much better with BAe (5K SR per ticket allowance, three times a year) Don't be taken in by Aramco's / contractors' ticketing i.e. two interim leave tickets to London or payment in lieu. In reality, Aramco calculates the allowance on the cheapest, available discounted ticket, so you actually get 1500-1600 SR per ticket. In effect, tickets are a joke, unless you want to go to London. Anywhere past London is at your own expense (Not sure of the situation for US staff)

A final consideration for some people might be family status at some point. Not available at Aramco unless you pay for everything yourself. Basically, working for contractors and Aramco is for those who are happy with single status contracts, want to make a quick buck and get out. It is not worth considering if you want stability and long-term employment and / or married status. You might be lured by the promise that, if you perform well, Aramco will make you direct hire. (Contractors will say anything to get you on board and collect their fees) The reality is that it rarely happens and dedicated, hard-working people have often spent up to 10 years working for a contractor and have never been made direct hire, despite promises that it would happen soon! People who have been transferred to direct hire, please jump in here and contradict me.

So, while it's not the worst job in the world, and the pay can be attractive if you have enough experience to get on the upper end of the scale, there are more attractive places to work in the Kingdom. And you generally cannot use it as a stepping stone to something better since contractors will rarely, if ever, provide a no objection letter (which some of the better employers may look for).
A final point which might be worth considering is the length of time from interview to actually arriving in-Kingdom. Expect anything from 3-7/8 months, ignored emails and lots of stamping and filling of forms before you recoup a single $!

Chinaski · Joined: 06 Apr 2011 Posts: 54

I just wanted to give a shout out for this thread. It's been very helpful and illuminating.

That said, does anyone think I may have a chance on getting hired?

My basic info is:

Age: mid 35-45
Education: MEd-TESL
Experience: almost 8 years

-1 year public school in Thailand,
-1 year academy in Korea, and
-the last (almost) 6 years as both a full time lecturer and adjunct professor at 2 different top Korean unis, teaching academic writing (content courses-taught in English), and 4 skills Practical English/Conversation courses.

I also have loads of iBT Toefl Speaking and Writing teaching experience (i.e. into the thousands of hours).

Many thanks for anything offered, in advance. Especially wage expectations/advice for those thinking I may make the cut...

*Note: I will actually be getting my MEd-TESL this August, which will mean that most of my teaching experience will be "pre-Masters", if that might have any effect Confused

Al-Mansoor · Joined: 15 Aug 2010 Posts: 76 Location: Here

battleshipb_b · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 189

Salaries can vary but in general Aramaco pays very well compared to some local Saudi outfits. Go for it.

Chinaski · Joined: 06 Apr 2011 Posts: 54

^

Cheers!

Pray for me... Razz

Al Mansoor wrote:

egyptfan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 105 Location: Middle East

Aramco may ask for your last payslip but it's none of their business really, since they are supposed to have a scale and work out your salary based on experience and qualifications. It is a pity that a company like Aramco should resort to 'haggling' and trying to get people at the cheapest price, especially when they have no issue with handing you over to a contractor and ... will basically have nothing to do with you again after the interview! Once you sign on the dotted line, you are no longer Aramco's concern. You are now taking up a position with HAK /SRACO etc. and Aramco's only concern will be that, when you get to KSA, you keep all their rules, jump when they say jump and do what they want done without question or comment.

As somebody mentioned, the salary scale is a well-guarded secret. It would be nice if more people came on here and said what they understand the scale to be for someone with say 3,5,10, 15 years' experience. That way, people would know what to expect and make a decision to go for the job or not based on the salary, conditions, etc. Recruiters offer little insight, quoting the minimum and maximum points on the 'elusive' scale.
My advice to anyone considering a job with a contractor would be to look at the complete package in the light of having to pay for your own accommodation, the relatively short holidays, long working days and the length it takes to get on board. It may suit some but it's not everyone's cup of tea.
Chinaski, I note you do quite a bit of 'moonlighting' in Korea and that is available in KSA too, except that after a long day at Aramco, you probably won't have much energy (or desire) to teach again in the evening/night. This is worth bearing in mind when calculating potential savings. There are far easier jobs in KSA which pay a bit less, (but private work is more of an option) so you may end up saving more in the long run.

I don't know what you would be offered, given your background and qualifications, but $4,000 a month plus housing etc. seems a bit on the low side. Housing, vacations, etc. can take a big chunk from your salary, depending on where you want to live, travel, etc. Location in KSA is also a factor for some. Ask about it but there are no guarantees. If vacation time is a major concern, one of the better universities might be the place to start!
Good luck.

Chinaski · Joined: 06 Apr 2011 Posts: 54

bigdurian · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 1:19 pm Post subject:

Anyone have any up to date info on HAKA Aramco. I was recently contacted by a recruiter, and although I'm on one of the better deals around now, I was just wondering what it might be like there.

It's not a money thing, more of a location change that might be appealing, but at the same time I would want at least 25k a month before paying for accommodation to make it worthwhile.

So if anyone knows anything please share.

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

One recruiter who contacted me suggested the previous salary was between $7-10k.

There was no indication that this would be the range now and it was suggested with the fall in the price of oil it might well be reduced.

I know a few people who were let go last summer, but don't know their salaries.

Also not sure about location. Everyone would want Dhahran, but Abqaiq might be the reality.

Interesting times. The recruiter said they were after 50-60 instructors.