Job Discussion Forums

uaeguy · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 15

Hi All.

This is not a question related to EFL teaching opportuntities, but I figure someone here might be able to offer me some advice.

I have been contacted by an HR firm in Saudi who is interested in having me forward my resume to them for a position they are trying to fill for Saudi Aramco. The position is a senior managment one in the division of Training and Development.

The HR firm has sent me a document which must be completed in FULL prior to proceeding any further. One of the items on this document asks me to state my desired salary.

I have read posts on this board and on the Internet which states that Saudi Aramco pays very well. However, I don't want to state a salary which would be perceived as too high nor too low.

Any suggestions? I am a North American ( I state this only because I know Saudi Aramco has a 'top up" on salary for westerners-the recruiter told me so) and have a Masters Degree related to the position with over 13 years experience.

Thanks so much for any help you may offer me.

007 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:07 pm Post subject:

Have you checked the web site of ARAMCO jobs?
I think you can apply directly to ARAMCO instead of using a job firm.
http://www.jobsataramco.com/Home/Job.aspx?catid=17

I know that senior management staff in ARAMCO get very competitive salary (starting from SR25000 /m as a basic salary, assuming your eyes are blue/green and holding Uncle Sam passport!).

uaeguy · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 15

007,

thanks very much for your reply. Yes, you can apply directly to Aramco, but the recruiter contacted me. I actually never had any interest in the position before yesterday, as I didn't really think I would qualify for a senior managment position. Is it better, in any way, to apply to Aramco directly? Thanks.

PS- I am Uncle Sam's neighbor to the north. Razz

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:23 pm Post subject:

Be careful, uaeguy. Jobs at Aramco are hard to come by, and usually go to only the most highly qualified applicants. Something smells fishy here if they contacted you and if you say you are surprised that you would be considered for the position. Check it out carefully, and do not give out any personal information that could be used for identity theft, etc.

uaeguy · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 15

Hi Mia,

Thanks...but gosh, you have me scared here. The recruitment company is SRACO. I did an internet search and they did seem legit. I did send them my passport details, but not not a scanned copy...just the details (passport #, date of issue and expiry).

When I say I was surprised, I say so because I hadn't actually applied for the job and because my background is not in HR, but counselling and psychology.

Did I make a mistake in providing them with the details that I have, in the event that they are not a legitimate company? He did seem really interested for me to complete the form (that which asks passport details amongst other things). Have I made a major mistake?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject:

uaeguy · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 15

Hi NCTBA,

do i detect sarcasm in your response? Sorry, if I am mistaken.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject:

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject:

I didn't mean to cause you too much alarm, uaeguy. Just proceed with caution. It sounds like you are doing exactly that. An unsolicited job offer is a rare thing, even rarer for an excellent job at a place like Aramco. Maybe you're just one lucky (uae) guy! Very Happy

uaeguy · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 15

Hi Mia,

No...really, I appreciate your warning me...sometimes i can be a little naive and/or overly trusting. I am glad you pointed it out to me. BTW...i was not offered the job...just asked if I would be interested. Perhaps when Aramco receives my resume, they might think that I am not a suitable candidate. Time will tell. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.

trapezius · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:23 am Post subject:

Senior Management
Canadian citizen
13 years experience
Master's degree

It is hard to say, but I would say ask for a minimum of SR. 30,000 basic salary, with all the other perks:

Furnished family housing on a compound
Local transportation allowance (usually 5-10% of basic salary)
Tickets for you and family (twice a year?)
Medical insurance for you and family
Education allowance for children under 18 (basically, free education)
Company car

I know an Irish fellow who earns SR. 65,000 per month at a bank. And I know Australian geologists earning SR. 25,000 per month. And I know an Egyptian US citizen who gets SR. 80,000 per month as a manager at Pepsi. I also know a Pakistani Canadian citizen who gets SR. 20,000 per month as a manager at Pepsi, and he is only 27. I also know a couple of Turkish citizen young IT security experts (30 years old) getting SR. 20,000 per month at a bank. And the CIO (Chief Information Officer), an American, at that bank gets SR. 450,000 per month (yes, you read that right). So, as I said, it is hard to say.

Go ahead and ask for SR. 40,000 or SR. 50,000.

The problem here is with the employer. There should be no "how much do you want?" It is unfair and discriminatory. There should be a salary scale, and then you should be able to negotiate the salary they get from the scale. Anyway, I don't have to tell you about the unfair and discriminatory policies of this country.

Good luck.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:49 am Post subject:

Trapezius: I believe that the "I" in "CIO" would probably better stand for "Investment" rather than "Information" for a salary such as that...but then again, what do I know?

NCTBA

007 · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject:

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

The recruiter you mentioned is a legitimate recruiter for Aramco.

I would put a salary range if iwas you.

I wouldn't stress too much about it.

I would put 30-40K riyals a month.

What you put in any case will have little effect on what you get offered should you get a position.

uaeguy · Joined: 25 Oct 2008 Posts: 15

Hi Mark.

I know SRACO is a legitimate recruiter for Saudi Aramco. I discovered that when doing my research on the Net. However, I have tried calling SRACO (the number given on the Net) both yesterday and today (Saturday and Sunday), to ensure that the individual calling me is indeed an employee of theirs, but unfortunately I am getting a constant busy signal whenever I call. I am a bit hesitant to send off all this documentation to someone I am not convinced is legit.

Thanks for your advice though. I appreciate it.