Job offer/salary query
At interview, I was told that the salary would be equivalent to [x amount] in GBP per annum, as this is about the going rate for the job in the UK.
However, I've now received my job offer, and the amount in QAR, when I convert it back to GBP turns out to be around 1,500 GBP per annum less than [x mount].
I could have understood if the amount was a couple of hundred pounds out, what with exchange rate fluctuations, but to have my pay cut by fifteen hundred pounds before I've even signed the contract seems a bit 'off'.
Is it possible that the exchange rates have fluctuated so wildly in the past couple of months since my interview that this would account for the reduced salary offer?
I had thought (from the posts I read here) that the idea was that you receive an offer and then you negotiate upwards. I'm in the strange position of being told the position attracted a salary of [x amount], being offered [x amount - 1,500GBP/per annum], so I have to negotiate not to get a *better* deal, but just to get the deal I was told about at interview.
How do I go about negotiating what I was originally told at interview?
Thanks.
I know I am a little late to this post but I read your comments with interest. Myself and my family have recently relocated to Doha and I wanted to share my experience with you. Since arriving almost three months ago my salary has been reduced in nominal sterling terms by over GBP 2,000. This is purely down to GBP/USD fluctuations.
In the longer term cable rates should appreciate so I think you will see the value of your QR salary improve over the next couple of years in sterling terms, inshallah! Also there is a certain intrasigence here on salaries and I don't believe the negotiations that you and I would expect in the UK really take place here at all. I don't think they are being misleading but if they calculated your salary six months ago in sterling equivalent it could quite possibly have been worth GBP 1,500 per annum more.
One major point of note though - even if you appear to be worse off monetarily this is an illusion, believe me. Apart from the rents everything else here is cheaper than the UK, plus you are not hit for 40% tax so I have no doubt that you are significantly better off than previously.
Hope this helps a little.....
Serendipity, I'm afraid it is possible indeed! USD is keeping very low against GBP and EUR and QR is bond to USD. The only strange thing in your case is that you are speaking about the last two months and, if I'm not wrong, the dollar is slightly better now than it was at least over Xmas time. But then again, maybe when your company calculated the GBP equivalent they used some indicative exchange rate instead of the actual one.
I have an offer from Qatar Gas for Senior Engineer in Grade 16 .My gross comes to 20000 QR .besides that they give housing, education,medical etc.I wanted to know if the offer is in line with their pay scale.I am an MBA engineer with 16 years oilfield experience from India
I had a job interview in Doha in the oil industry with international company.
I am Engineer with western engineering degree and 20 years of western experience.
The interview was for a Contract Manager position in Doha.
Questions (urgent responses are appreciated):
1.What is the expected (base)salary range for such a position?
2.Can the company pay back the employee an equivalent check to replace the Taxes that I will end up paying in my home country?
3. What is the rent cost for (furnished) accomodations (4 bed rooms 2-floors villa, 3 bath rooms, AC, seperate maid room,in a closed complex)? Should I ask the company to pay rent directly? Should I accept an allowance then I pay for the rent? Does the rent increase every 3 months, or 6 months, or one year? Should the (utility)costs be included in the deal?
4. What kind of a percentage bonus should I ask for?
5. Should I accept an allowance for kids' school? or should I ask the company to pay the school directly? Is the bus transportation cost usually part of the deal?
6. Air line tickets: Should I ask for economy or buisness travel? Is that too much to ask? Do I get paid an allowance for the tickets or the company pay directly?
7. How many days of vacation am I expecting to get per year? If I do not go back home for vacation, would I loose the vacation?
8. What does (13th check) means?
9. Would the company provide a car?
10. What is the best hospital in Doha that has the best Doctors? What are typical details for the (private) health care and benefits?
11. How many sick leave am I allowed to get?
11. Am I missing something that I should be aware of?
I do appreciate your immediate responses very much.
(Daniyah).
All salaries in Qatar are paid in Qatar Riyals which are tied to the US dollar.
Fluctuations do occur and can sometimes be large. I recently worked in Abu Dhabi for 3 months and had agreed a rate that equated to £1,000 per week (+ accommodation etc) in AE Dirhams. The exchange rate when I agreed the figure was AED6.8 to the £. By the end of the contract, the rate was AED 7.219 to £. A change over 6% in 3 months.
this site is useful:
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
at today's FX rate 50,000 GPB is worth 350,623 QAR.
at the FX rate of Jan 7, 50,000 GBP was worth 351,474 QAR.
the change is negligible.
1,500 GBP is worth a bit over 10,000 QAR.
so, on the face of it something does not seem right.
did they tell you something specific at interview, or give you a range?
if they said you are getting X, then you can ask why there is a difference of 10,000 QAR - but double check your conversions before to make sure you didn't miscalculate.