Job Discussion Forums

isabel · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 510 Location: God's green earth

The mood on the board does really represent the reality on the ground in the tragic Kingdom fairly well. There are nightmare stories to fill volumes and put the Brothers Grimm to shame. There are those who do well. I think I have met both of them.

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

isabel,

Are there any commonalities amongst those who do well and those who don't?

DirtGuy

isabel · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 510 Location: God's green earth

There are a few, but I think the biggest one is luck.

I had several friends who did really well there for a long time and after several years they started getting a lot of abuse- a serious amount of problems. We would wonder why they were so positive and up-beat all of the time. That changed completely when the abuse started.

Much of what goes wrong for people is random heartlessness and incompetence that lands at their feet sooner or later. The management can be cruel and indifferent to things like the loss of family members. Three people I know could not go home for a parent's or sibling's funeral. One family was held back for a month or more while paperwork was (mis) handled and passports misplaced. The husband was deathly ill and needed to leave immediately for medical attention. This family had been very positive. Their daughter went to school there and speaks good Arabic. Before they got out finally, there was plenty of hysteria to go around.

I have a friend still there who manages well. I have a couple of friends who are there for family reasons. Other than that, everyone I know has moved on and out.

There are stories for books. If you go, take patience and a good attitude, and don't be shocked of something falls at your feet.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 2:14 am Post subject:

Here's my two cents:people with patience, a sense of humor (black humor is especially helpful), patience, the ability to be self-contained/self-sufficient (i.e. not needing too many outside diversions), patience, tolerance and discretion, patience, a good work environment with pleasant colleagues, patience, good bosses and decent housing.

That about sums it up. Oh, did I mention patience?

Regards,
John

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Hear! Hear! Research is key --- know before you go. But also go with realistic and low expectations to minimize any disappointment or negative surprises you'll encounter.

diodeone · Joined: 30 Sep 2011 Posts: 28

Dear Sir,

Confidential Business Proposal

Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the Nigerian Chambers Of Commerce And Industry, I have the privilege to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $47,500,000.00 (forty seven million, five hundred thousand United States dollars) into your accounts. The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract, executed, commissioned and paid for about five years (5) ago by a foreign contractor. This action was however intentional and since then the fund has been in a suspense account at The Central Bank Of Nigeria Apex Bank.

We are now ready to transfer the fund overseas and that is where you come in. It is important to inform you that as civil servants, we are forbidden to operate a foreign account; that is why we require your assistance. The total sum will be shared as follows: 70% for us, 25% for you and 5% for local and international expenses incidental to the transfer.

The transfer is risk free on both sides.

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

So, the recruiters have hired the Nigerians to launder their ill-gotten gains?? Laughing

VS
(I still remember the first time I saw this letter format back in 1971 when it arrived by snail mail to my boss... must work as they continue to use it - your English is way too good though)

johnslat · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject:

Dear VS,

". . . your English is way too good though)"

Ah, but three required commas (four, if you're an "Oxford comma" nut) are missing:

"Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the Nigerian Chambers Of Commerce And Industry, I have the privilege to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $47,500,000.00 (forty seven million, five hundred thousand United States dollars) into your accounts. The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract, executed, commissioned and paid for about five years (5) ago by a foreign contractor. This action was however intentional and since then the fund has been in a suspense account at The Central Bank Of Nigeria Apex Bank."

Missing commas - always a dead giveaway Very Happy

Regards,
John