Final Offer Maybe
To all,
I have read many posts and even posted a few times about taking a job with Hamad Medical Corporation. I now have some final numbers and would like one last go around from people who are living, working, and enjoying Qatar. I currently live in the USA and have a wife and two duaghters who are 3 and 7.
I first want to thank the people who respond and provide insight on this forum. It does not go unnoticed.
So here are my numbers:
Grade- 112
Salary- 16580 Qar
Housing- provided by company (contracts states suitable for grade and family)
Transportation- 1250 Qar
Schooling- Contract states fees paid in full
Airfare- Once per year for family economy class
Annual leave- 40 days
That is the bulk of the numbers and I will not keep your attention any longer. We are very excited about moving, but just want to make sure that we are not putting ourselves into a situtation that is all negative.
Thank you,
Tex
Tex,
I believe they will look at as an asset you having American experience.
I am not going to get into any political discussions about my future employer, but can say that they are hiring me because of the American expercience that I have and that I am going to be part of a team helping to better the emergency medical services provided in Qatar. As usual thank you for the advice and information regarding HMC and Qatar. It will aide in our decision that is now coming ever so close.
Tex
"life is short, live it"
HMC? Now how can they be that bad eh? They have JCIA ffs!! Noone with JCIA is bad.........
HMC now is not the best place to work at. Major chaoes, and chances that you will blamed as an expat for stopping the Qataris from improving the service. See http://www.qatarliving.com/node/108073
Many unhappy Qataris with top posts are resigning, how you will get what you want? I agree with Eve's message above. And yes there are US docs at HMC, and it makes you wonder why.
There are American drs. at HMC?
The beauracracy and unprofessional behavior at HMC will drive you nuts. Coming from the States you will find it very frustrating, I don't think the American drs. working at HMC are very good, if they were they could work in the States and make better money much easier. Qatar is now very stressful due to too many people in too small an infrastructure not to mention they don't have the availability of schools for families its making many families look elsewhere. If you think the States is expensive wait til you see the prices here.
I'd ask if utilities are provided and if they'll ensure your kids get in to the American school.
Regarding the leave, make sure you understand exactly what 40 days mean. In my company, Fridays and Saturdays count whilst back in SA only working days count.
Thank you all once again for the information. I am going to contact HMC HR and go over the contract that I was given. I will be working for HMC directly so I think that is the best course of action. I have also contacted my soon to be new boss and requested a phone call to ask my many questions. If you have anymore advice or comments I will be very thankful.
Tex
"life is short, live it"
Senior staff within HMC don't get overtime - tread carefully- so Grade 9 & above don't qualify unless special exception (this unlikely), Schooling is limited to 21000 per year, per child, refundable only upon production of original school receipts, Grade 12 does not qualify for business class tickets, so cattle class for you and family my friend, Does your salary include any type of allowance? You should ask them to specify the accomodation as you maybe suprised with what they offer you. Final word of caution: Get here first, before relocating your family.
I agree regarding the recruiter concerns.
If it's not HMC directly, they will just tell you not to worry so you'll sign the contract and they'll receive the commission.Whether it's the company HR or recruiter's, they will tell you what you want to hear to get you to sign the contract. Once you're here, you're on your own.
Good idea coming first without your family.
Hold it, a recruiter you said? HMC recruiter or an agent? You should not accept an agent recruiter offer, must get the official offer in writing directly from HMC email address before you do anything.
Yes, you will get a visit arranged if you ask for it.
If it's an agency would you be employed by the agency on contract to the HMC or directly by the HMC?
As Translator said, the offer should come from the HMC and NOT from an agent. They may well be ripping you off.
School fees - if you can add words to your contract, I would take out "all" and add "assesment fee, registration fee, capital fee and tuition." Just to be safe...
I think your salary is good. Car is a bit low. Housing and schooling are definitely the two biggest concerns.
*************************************
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Wow, again thanks for all the very informative replies. I have talked with the American school of Doha and I get nowhere by email of phone. I have heard that you have to be there to really get any progress. Does HMC offer a local visit? I have asked about the salary many times and I am waiting for them to put the overtime into the base salary in the contract. At HMC I have heard there is lots of overtime so this should increase my salary like it does here in the USA. As far as the schooling fees I have asked and my recruiter states there is not a maxium limit since the school prices overthere are very expensive. This was the one thing that I have asked several times and the recruiter still says that they pay ALL school fees.
Is the wording of the contract something that I can add to or write in?
Thank you very much for your replies and I am supposed to get some pictures of the housing. I am going to go first before my family comes because the company states it is easier this way and that should give me some time to get settled in.
If you have any other information please let me know. We are packing boxes right now.
Best Regards,
Tex
"life is short, live it"
Tex, just make sure you can get your kids to your chosen school before you make the decision to come here. For what I see at work, people are struggling to place their kids and have to eventually settle for a school that was not their first choice. And some of them are still on a waiting list!
No, the salary's not bad, but if he gets here and finds the "suitable" housing or paid-in-full schooling is crappy, he might end up paying a bundle out of pocket to get what he wants.
Are you guys saying that if housing and schooling is provided, a family can't live on 16K a month ?
HMC does NOT pay in FULL for schools (they refund you a max payment of 21K per child per yr), the American School of Doha runs 45K now, and for 7yr old, you have a very low chance of getting a seat. HMC does not have any contract with the school like Qatar Petroleum or others. Schools would be the first challenge, and HMC management second.
Suitable housing is not necessarily suitable to you, rather to them. Very fluid term.
I would insist on a site visit, confirm what housing unit they will assign for you when you join.
If you are going from Doha to Texas it could be a strain flying in economy. You could ask for business class travel. Some companies do provide that level of travel for flights over a certain distance or flight time.
Godmorning!
I would also suggest you to the American school since you are american. I agree with the former speachers, check if they pay the fees.
Also, there are a long waitinglist (if Hamad is not sponsoring them) even if you are an american it can be tricky to get them in on spot. Contact them and line up ASAP otherwise you take a high risk of not getting your kids in when you need.
Good Luck!
Victoria
cost of living in doha is going up and up , i feel if you are the bread winner in the family that amt may not be sufficient........
life's too short so make the most of it, you only live but once.......
maybe a salary re structure to higher grade...ur american and have good qualifications..grade 12 may not be enough...i know its senior post but still roughly 17 k will make you short out of expenses here in doha..good luck..
"fear not the dead...but the ghost of your past"
Tex, I don't suppose they'd be willing to bring you here for a look around before you decide to uproot your family? That's what my husband did and when he got here he wasn't happy with what they considered "suitable" housing, so he found something else. And that's a lot more difficult these days, I'm sure you've heard.
Schooling- Fees paid in full --is it your choice of school, or theirs? The quality of education varies, as does the tuition. IMO, the only school to consider is the American School.
Don't know if that's much help at all, but will keep your thread alive for a while. Very early weekend morning, everyone's asleep!
if you're american make sure ask them if you send your kids to american school they will pay for the capital fee too ...some company will not pay for it .....
housing is between 15.000 - 20.000 now a days