Interview pending at WCMC-Q
Hi everyone!
I'm flying in from America for a job interview at WCMC-Q in a few weeks.
What should I look for when signing a contract? Any advice regarding the contract concerning the job, housing, allowance, visa length, etc, is welcome.
My husband will be coming with me. He doesn't have a job in Qatar & we feel so limited and are lost as to where to start searching. We're prepared that if I get hired that he might go unemployed for as long as 6 mo. He's an attorney/lawyer licensed in the U.S. Is is realistic to factor that he'd be unemployed that long, longer or shorter? What would be his job prospects once we arrive there? Is knowing how to speak Arabic necessary for an expat professional to get a good job?
Finally, what is the cultural outlook on wives who work with husbands who are unemployed?
Thanks ahead of time for your feedback!
Hi Mandi,
Thanks for your advice on the passport. I called Briggs and they told me they couldn't help me locally or in Texas but if I called the Washington DC office they could help. Loooooong story short, I was able to renew it regionally- I got it back faster than I would have had I used Briggs- a 24 hour turn around! No cut on Briggs though- it's an excellent service if you can't make it to the regional office in person due to work or other obligations.
The total cost of expedition, renewal and a passport card was $200- significantly cheaper too. It does require time off work to go to the office but I didn't have to pay for express shipping or the courier.
Also, thanks ahead of time for your comments on the contract, esp to Johnny about taking it or leaving it. I do hope to negotiate a little though- I'm not sure how much they offer my pay grade (a question to be posted on a seperate thread).
Till later!
mandilulur, absolutely you are right..
jonny, she hasn't even been interviewed yet, let alone offered the job! And as I indicated, Cornell's contract is standard, same in Doha as in US with foreign benefits. It's a take it or leave it proposition, although you have some say in where you prefer your housing, what school for the kids, etc. It's a little different when you work for a US institution.
Mandi
better ask them to e-mail you a draft of the contract for revision, so you can review it and add you comments
bets wishes
Happy, they will certainly pay for your husband to come with you on the interview - business class at that and 5 star hotel! But I am worried about your passport. I would recommend you send it off for renewal TODAY with an expediter. I use A. Briggs. Cost depends on turn-around time. They can do it in 24 hours! Listen, if you want to call, I'm in the US, east coast. PM me.
Mandi
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Thank you Saeed and Mandi for your quick replies!
Is it typical that I go on the interview visit to Qatar alone or would they pay for my husband to come too? If they don't pay, would they accomodate booking my husband with me as long as his travel expenses are covered from our side?
I just realised that my passport has less than 6 months before it expires. Since everyone is on vacation for the holidays, I haven't heard anything. I hope it's not a problem.
Everywhere else I've travelled with my passport close to expiry has been ok even if there was a month left. Sometimes I got the hairy eyeball but that's the worst of it. I know some places are more strict than others or that sometimes travel regulations tighten suddenly.
I'm anxious and excited about the interview visit :-)
Addendum, Happy, if you want to know the basic benefits, look on Cornell's website. It's the same for NY as for Doha. Retirement is TIAA-CREF. Don't worry about your passports, of course you keep them! It's a US school, US labor rules.
Mandi
Welcome, Happy. Your contract will be completely standard and should include everything you need - housing, transportation, medical, school fees, and a competitive salary for your position in the US plus a 25% overseas bonus. Your salary will be "grossed up" to offset housing, etc., tax implications. The usual length is three years and WCMC-Q provides all the visas, etc. Your husband will be under your sponsorship and there are no negative implications with this status socially. However, if your husband finds a job and is under someone else's sponsorship and wishes to change jobs or quit he may well not get an NOC. That means that he reverts to your sponsorship and cannot work in Qatar for another two years. It will not be necessary for him to speak Arabic.
Mandi