How does this QP offer stack up?

Hi new2qatar,

Having done my research now ... I have discovered that Saudi is the best place to be in Gulf if you want to maximise your savings.

However, if you want a better quality of life and are lucky enough to get paid enough to have one then anywhere else in the Gulf would be better.

AA

Hi Zani,

Good luck with your job with QP.

I'm also from the UK but have been working saudi for the past 4 years.

Yes it is normal for QP to take ages with the recruitment process. My experience with QP was not a pleasant one.

In my case, the whole process took 7 MONTHS ... with the initial offer coming about 1 month after my interview.

As they refused to specify the precise salary and package being offered before or during my interview, I rejected the first offer and then spent the next 4 months negotiating a better deal with them.

After a very long frustrating and annoying 4 month period of sending emails back and forth, I did finally get a reasonable offer (Approx 32K per month including all allowances plus the standard Grade 14 indefinte contract package). However, by this point I was just so pissed off with them that I decided not to bother joining QP.

I was really looking forward to taking on a job with them, but I was constantly thinking that if the HR & Recruitment people are this incompetent and unprofessional now ... at a stage where they should be trying to convince me to sign ... how could I expect them to be helpful after I joined, in terms of finding housing and getting my kids into schools, etc. Based on the way the QP Recruitment team had dealt with me I just felt I could not trust anything they said.

Another reason why I turned down the offer was because I felt the cost of housing is likely to rise by at least 10% per year, if not more. This coupled with the fact that QP are not likely to increase salaries in line with the annual increase in cost of living.

Basically all things considered, for me it was not worth the upheaval for a job offering the same as I am currently earning.

I hope you have a better experience than mine.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers

AA

For me it took 2 months plus a number of emails from me (most of which were not even acknowledged) before I finally got a reply. It seems to take forever, not sure whether that is a cultural thing, or they are disorganised, or a staffing issue.

You have to wonder if the recruitment process is like this, what working for them would be like.

Hang in there and good luck.

Hi AA,

I'm from the UK and recently (3 weeks ago) attended an on site interview for a Grade 14 indefinate contract (same as yours). I haven't heard anything back from QP since. How long did it take them to get back to you? Is it normal for them to take so long after an on site interview?

I'm not sure f this delay id a good or bad thing, I'm treating no news as good news.

Hi, this question sound really stupid. But whats the differenet between Saudi and Qatar?

Thanks

Juniadi

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Please note that Saudi Arabia is the cheapest place in the whole gulf. If you get the same salary in Qatar as Saudi Arabia, you should not even consider it, unless you are coming for something other than money (some people do that!)

There are smaller compounds around from QR14k - I speak from experience. Two villas recently became available on my compound and I know for a fact that they went for QR14k. We have friends who also moved onto a compound last month at the same price. This price is still definitely feasible. One word of caution you can not compare compounds here to those in Saudi - here they are typically smaller with not as many facilities. My compound has 38 villas, pool, clubhouse, tennis and squash courts and small gym for your guide. Few compounds have a shop - but then again its not a big deal since your wife can drive.

I know Ranco - compounds here are generally smaller but I would say the accomodations are at least as good if not better. Here you have places a lot like Arabian Homes, all the way up to places on a par with Al Hamra, Arizona etc.

If your kids are going to DESS you will be the other side of town from me. I am not 100% sure but that may mean a small premium so perhaps the QR15-16k range others have quoted would be more conservative. I am certain you will achieve this on a compound, if you are prepared to look at stand-alone villas they will of course be cheaper.

Regarding cars you are talking to the right person. I think I was mis-advised on import duty into Qatar so decided to sell my car in Riyadh and buy a new one here. BIG MISTAKE - Doha is more expensive for cars and I believe when I came in last year that import duty was only 5%, lower than I had been told. Make sure you sort out the export/import paperwork nice and early though as I have been told this can be quite a hassle in Riyadh. Servicing cars here is cheap though and petrol not much more than Saudi - 97 octane Super is like 80 halalas per litre, with 95 octane being 60. car insurance here is typically 4% of the car's value.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your feedback.

Like all the new people coming to Doha ... my biggest concern is going to finding decent affordable accomodation.

You mention compound villas for around 14K ... is that really possible, as most other people are saying 15 - 16k as the minumum.

As I will need to get a villa close to the Markhaz area so it will be easier for my kids to get to the Doha English Speaking School ... do you have any ideas of cost of villas in this area?

Can you tell me if a 3 bed compound villa in doha is on par with the same villa on a compound in Riyadh ... just for your information I currently live on Ranco Village compound.

Also, please can you offer advice on getting a car. Is it better/cheaper to buy a car from Riyadh and drive it in? I heard that cars are more expensive in Doha compared to KSA and UAE.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

AA

I was in an identical situation to you last year. I lived in Riyadh with my family for 8 1/2 years after leaving the UK and finally found it was time to change. We were used to compound living so didn't want to look at stand-alone villas or apartments here in Doha. I think you can find a 3 bedroon villa on a small compound for QR14k and would strongly encourage the move, even at a small cost.

Although the cost of living is slightly higher here I think its worth dipping into your pocket a bit. The quality of life is far better here. Your wife and kids will thank you for it in the long run. I made the same move last year and have no regrets.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any other queries. Remember to factor in you will not have to pay out for trips to Bahrain any more! Your package looks decent overall.

Kaizer

Hi Brissyboy,

I have recently been offered a contract similar to yours ...

I am from the UK but I am currently employed in Riyadh - Saudi. I'll be coming to Doha with my wife and 2 young kids.

My deal is a Grade 14 Indefinte Contract.

Salary = 18500 including uplifts

Transport = 1000

Accomodation = 10800

School Fees for the kids

Family medical and dental cover.

This deal is about the same as what I am currently getting in Riyadh, but is it a good deal for Doha?

Like you, my major concern is being able to find suitable accomodation for a family of 4 within a budget of 11K. From what I have read on this site over the past few months this looks pretty unlikely.

So I am quite hesitant to come into a situation where I will need to spend out of the basic salary to cover the rent.

Cheers

AA

Question whether you want to uproot your family for a 2 year contract, with no guarantee it will be extended.

I think you also have to ask yourself when you intent to retire as that may infulence your decision.

If you return to Austrslia in 2 years time ask yourself how easy it will be to get a job. Like it or not in Australia I think you would be hard pressed given your age. I do not thinkl it is right but in reality the age thing does factor into people minds when recruiting.

Something to consider.

Good luck

Thanks for that. I assumed that the housing allowance would be sufficient, however there is a lot of conflicting information on here re accommodation and hence the question.

Fixed term (definite contracts) may be extended by QP but there is no guarantee.

It could be that they have a national on development for the position and who will be ready to assume the responsibilities of the job upon completion of your contract.

If there is another suitable position when your contract expires, they may offer you that position. Such an offer may be on the same salary but it depends on the level of the job.

Definite contracts do not attract end of service benefit (ESB) payments.

Concerning housing: Depends on what you want! You can get an apartment easily for two people for that amount. If you want a villa with facilities like pool, gym, etc and you need the space...consider 15K to be your cost at minimum. There are nice 2 BEdroom apartments starting from 7K. I am pretty sure if you start searching with the budget of 10 to 11K you'll find a good one may be with facilities in your apartment block!

Considering the re negotiation, ask your employer. This really depends on the company you work for. For two people, the package is good and travel opportunities are given, depending what you define as 'to do more travel'.