I am told verbally, that in my area this cannot now happen owing to 'costs' and saudization. Even after 6 years in the same Grade Code... Anyone have any news I am missing out on, or should I get that resignation letter sent asap?
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Moving up in grade at Aramco is a complex,, often discrete process that combines physical and mental strength, calculated social intelligence, and the formation of strategic alliances. Foreigners in particular, must navigate a rigid, often volatile, dominant hierarchy through a series of taxing and stupid rituals.
It’s hard to move up in grade code when you procrastinate like I do. My bosses told me I’d never amount to much because I procrastinate so much. I told them, “Just you wait!”
@cdx
Yes, consider the $$$ offered in your initial offer as a binding imprecation between you and management for the rest of your career there.
'M’s might as well pack their bags. E’s and E+’s have opportunities.'
I know too many people who got straight E's and were never promoted, and then saw management panic when they quit. Even being difficult or impossible to replace doesn't mean that you are valued. If you 55 or older, forget it. If you are from a business line like finance that top management couldn't care less about, forget it. If your boss won't stick his neck out for you, forget it. Any expat working for or considering working for Aramco needs to expect zero as far as career development of any kind. If the $$$ make sense, do it, but don't think you will be going anywhere or getting anything that isn't in the initial offer.
@bw2 speak for yourself. Low performing expats don’t get promoted for obvious reasons. M’s might as well pack their bags. E’s and E+’s have opportunities.
Basically not possible anymore, massive negative pressure on expats coming from the top. More likely to be surplussed if you ask for more. It is what it is.
its all about the image and understanding that they have lots of inexperienced people themselves who are not able to perform a task. If you bring 3 zeros, you still get a zero but if yiu mix in an expat who can do it then you have smth to show for. Think of it as the MBS crash back in 2008 when you have a bunch of bad mortgages but mix in one good one you can still sell it at a good price. We all know what happened when tge onion got peeled back.
Depends on you boss, whether he is prepared to take a career risk and propose an expat for elevation.... In most parts of the business this is a form of career sui.cide, so good luck. You are literally depriving a local of a promotion!!! Only place I have seen expat promotions is Law and SMA where there are still some adults in charge.
We used to call the expats who got regular promotions every 3-4 years, eunichs, especially if they reached 16, and especially 17.
It’s extremely possible to be promoted here. You simply throw your peer expats under the bus at every opportunity, su-k up biggly to the boss, lie, manipulate and sing praises to your master like a good little employee. Sure, you are selling out integrity and dignity, but small price to pay to look out for number 1. Do that well and you’ll be taken care of like any pet. Plenty do it all the time here.
got my GC change after 4 years so it is possible however one can never say when or if it will happen in your specific case.
Promoted twice in a decade was told won't happen again given my age but i made the best of this malevolent land
Impossible ! We all know the reasons behind it. I have been here for 11 years. Same as the day I came in.
@kd which business line?
Where I am promotions are impossible, expats are just completely discriminated against from various fronts. Once my manager let his mask slip and complained that I earned double my (in his warped eyes) Saudi counterpart. When i pointed out I have 15 years more experience than him, and took several demotions to take this role, he quickly shut up. Face it, SCAMCO is career su----e. You come here for some quick coin, that is it.
Those that claim multiple promotions are either very lucky, lying, or came in as barrow boys on GC11.
I’ve gotten two GC promotions in nine years. So it’s definitely possible.
i know a few got promoted this year after nearly a decade working here..
so it is possible
It was always the VPs decision, and if your manager had enough wasta to convince him. If your manager dislikes you, then never mind. Saying that, 6-7 years was a normal lapse between promotions. I knew one guy that never got a promotion in 20 years.
VP of HR doesn't want women or expats in the company.
You do the math.
There was an expat that questioned his supervisor why he was in the same grade code for 8 years and not been promoted yet. The supervisor gave him an M and he was laid off 2 months ago. Squeaky wheel gets the grease I suppose…
Same. Director told me no expat promotions because VP said will not happen.