Oppurtunity in Qatar
Dear All.
I can see and opportunity in Qatar and seriously thinking about this change. I have been offered a job with monthly package of around 43000 QR (inclusive of accommodation). I am presently working In Japan from the last few years and life here is good. I have few questions and looking for some help.
1. What is the career path in the Qatari organization? I have been told people get stuck in the same position for years and there is a very little scope for promotion and or career development.
2. How people of Qatar (locals) treat you both at and after work place? How are the working conditions, do you get to speak your mind and they do consider your professional growth along the course of job. I haven't heard good about it and have concerns.
3. What do you think of the pay package? Is it decent for two of us (self and wife, we do not have kids at the moment)?
4. How is the weather? I mean is it hot all the time or you have good weather during some part of the year.
I am presently working in a very good environment and have fantastic people around me, but this opportunity will is good from both professional and personal point of view (as I will be moving close to India and there is a large Indian Community)
It will nice if you can give you point of view.
Thanks
Thanks everyone;for your inputs. I had a very good experience in this forum.
rgds
you can not easily come and go as you pleases.
No Job guarantee, cannot change company without NOC and need Exit permit every time one has to leave the country.
Dear Suhail Shaker - Thanks for your advice.
I will keep it in mind. I will push for promotion with the HR, let's see.
@TheDarkKnightRises - I agree with you and do appreciate that you took out time. Thanks a lot.
20% salary increase and a step down in career is not worth it in my opinion.
The chances of growth, career development or even training are slim.
Discrimination is an accepted practice here.
Plus, once you are working with an employer, you can not move to another job without your employer's approval, which is not a common thing here.
@Freeallkhor what someone else is making is irrelevant, not everyone has the same expertise, experience & qualifications.
@bullet It comes down to the company you are joining. Plenty of companies here are run like "Baniye ki dukaan" in India where HR's words have no value. On the other hand, there are companies who stick to their word.
One big advantage here is that you get plenty of time for your family. Work is largely without stress.
Dear just1s - Thanks for your comments, appreciate that.
Hi @freealkhor - Well, I guess we are on different wavelength. I think you missed the point. Thanks.
The compensation is very competitive, all of their comments is right there is low chance or possibility for promotion but most of the expats here doesn't care about the position as long as you earn large amount of money is enough.
Weather is quite fair during summer you will experience extremely hot and during winter vice versa.
Discrimination here is really exists, and customer service is rarely or most of the time not existing.
Some locals are professional, and some are not, some are rude and bad as same as other country. but driving here is extremely dangerous as other middle east countries.
hmmm
people get hight package they dont have self confidence.....most of the i saw many of posting about the same thing......
this type of people how they get offer high salaries....?
anyway mr...look at people that working at very bad conditions with 800 qr salary....then satisfy yourself.....!
Thanks @TheDarkKnightRises - Appreciate your prompt reply. There is a difference of about 20 % (increase) but money is not much of concern or motivation at the moment. What I am looking for is a definite career path.
Do you think if I negotiate on this issue with the HR and lets say they agree, will they honor their words? I know I am bit pessimist about it but Qatar will be a new place for me and I really don't know how else I can ensure about my promotion especially when I am going one step down (if I take this opportunity).
Hi Patrick
Thanks for your views.
Yes this will be the first time for us in Middle East.
I understand the scope of professional growth is minimal. As I mentioned in my earlier post will it make sense if I negotiate for job promotion / career path with the HR team? Will they actually implement it when the actual time will come?
agree with dark knight.....just do ur job and go home.....
This is where you pick up the extra experience, title and money. It would be doubtful if you would ever advance farther than what you were hired for because of Qatarization especially if you are being hired by a government organization.
Weather is very good from October to mid March, then it starts to get miserably hot. Does it matter though as you will be in an air-conditioned flat, drive to work in a AC car and work in a cubicle wearing a sweater all day long till you go back home.
If this is the first time you're in the Middle East you need to adapt. If you and your wife can't adapt then life will eventually grind you out of Qatar.
Driving here will probably frustrate you. Drivers here aren't as bad as in Kuwait (they're suicidal there), but it's amongst the worst I've seen anywhere. Generally they can be classified as arrogant, careless or just ignorant of the traffic laws and a good number are all 3.
why do smart people worry too much?
-Most people do get stuck here at the same position for years and very little scope for "career development".
- Not much mistreatment by the locals. Fellow South Asians are more likely to discriminate and give preference to a white skinned person over you.
- Pay package is decent for you but then again it depends on what position you are joining at and how does it compare to your current salary. It must be significantly more for you to contemplate a move here.
- Weather is hot & humid for most part but you do get 2-3 months of very nice weather during "winters"
Don't look for the work culture you are used to in Japan here. Keep your head down and make money is the motto for most here, nobody looks to take the initiative and get something done.
Good luck!