david999

Hi all,

Been looking for a job in the ME for some time and finally got a telephone interview arranged for next week. The company is called 'Jacobs ZATE', based in KSA, Al-Khobar. They are part of a massive American company with offices worldwide. I know I have to get past the interview yet, but wondered if anyone here has had any dealings with them, are they a good company to work for, good payers etc?
Appreciate any advice.

Regards
Dave

Paracletus

Never worked for Jacobs, but worked with them both in the UK and in Bahrain. They all seemed ok with their employer I'd say.

david999

Cheers Paracletus.

Regards
Dave

david999

Well, got past the interview OK.

They are away to make me an offer, after asking for all my edu certs, passport, last payslip etc. Very thorough.

Is it usual to ask for all this at this stage??

Regards
David

OleJanx

Last payslip is a bit cheeky. You should tell them you are unable to give it to them due to confidentiality to your current employer.

david999

That's what I thought as well....but already sent and fortunately its the same amount as I put on the initial form they had me filling in!

As regards basic salary, is it still somewhere in the region of gross UK pay plus 10%?


TIA
David

OleJanx

With Saudi, there are a lot of things to consider. Are they paying for decent accommodation? What leave/ flight provision is on offer? Are they offering you a company car? All these have to be taken into consideration, as Saudi is still a hardship posting, and without any of the aforementioned, is a waste of time even thinking about.

Desert Dubliner

I find the previous salary to be largely irrelevant especially when changing continents. It is the meeting of your expectations and their budget that matters.

OleJanx

Exactly, and as the O.P. has pointed out that it is an international American company operating is Saudi, featherbed packages are the order of the day.

Desert Dubliner

Regretfully the HRs are stuffed with local dummies so hence this nonsense about getting a form to fill in to tell them your current salary. I also work for a multinational and as far as the recruitment was concerned the bits conducted by westerners were ok an most stuff involving local HR was pure nonsense.

OleJanx

Something very strange happens to H.R. imbeciles when they step foot into the middle east. It does not matter what nationality they are, they all revert into small minded , power crazed twunts, with absolutely NO exception...

david999

Woah, lots of replies, thank you all.

All I know at this point is that they indeed provide (very nice by the sound of it) accommodation, company car / petrol and health and dental insurance. I guess its now a waiting game, probably not too long as they are looking to get me over ASAP and my notice period is 3 months!
I'll keep you posted.

By the way, why is it considered a 'hardship posting', apart from the lack of booze and women having to wear the abaya and can't drive, I'd have thought it was on par with the rest of the GCC countries?

Cheers
David

The Dean

In my line of work, current/previous salary would certainly be regarded as competitor-sensitive information. My contract forbids me from disclosing it for up to TWO YEARS after I leave. It's outrageous that they ask for it.

david999

Never heard of that before, you must be in a real top notch position.

Regards
David

spartans53

By the way, why is it considered a 'hardship posting', apart from the lack of booze and women having to wear the abaya and can't drive, I'd have thought it was on par with the rest of the GCC countries?

You are in for a bit of a shock, Khobar is the best of a craphole.