U.S. Citizen offered job from Prestigious Real Estate Development firm! Please help
Hello everyone!
Great website and wonderful advice. I'm scheduled for an interview with a prestigious and established private company in Doha and would like to get some tips on how to negotiate my package if I'm offered the job. Below is a description of the job title and I would report directly to as well as work under the Director of their Real Estate Sector.
"Administration Assistant (Senior Associate)
The Idea behind this position is to communicate and coordinate on 2 levels
- Internally, between The Group Internal Departments such as Business development, Investment and treasury, Government relation, Legal department, H.R.,
- Externally, between the outsourced parties such as International operator, international Consultant, Local or International contractor.
We are the coordinator between the external entities with a large volume of communication on daily bases and I would like someone to have the ability to play that role talking directly to senior people within a system that is established already."
I have 8 years of experience of working as a teacher/administrator for a non-profit here in the U.S. and am currently running my own photography business from which I am earning around 16500 QR per month, but would love to relocate to Qatar for a job like this!
They found me, I didn't find them, so any advice on how and what to negotiate would be appreciated! Thank you.
Yes, I agree with Mr Blazer. A rule of thumb is that you take a competitive salary in your country and add 25% plus housing, transportation, etc.
Thank you Mr. Blazer, I think that is what I'll do!
Dear friends,
Thank you for all your sound advice, and moral support. I gave my interview today and it was thanks to God, quite successful. The employer made it quite clear to me from the beginning that he definitely wanted me to be a part of his team, and he spent most of the interview trying to buy me over and convince me why I should move to Qatar, instead of me trying to prove my skills as a potential employee.
This kind of gave me a cultural shock, because here in the U.S, interviews are conducted extremely professionaly and employers never lay their cards all out at once in the beginning of an interview.
Please tell me how you all feel about this?
He seemed to be professional in other aspects though, and the company is one of the most reputable in the Gulf region.
The original offer he threw to me was 12000 QR all inclusive, which was quite ridiculus. I had to negotiate a little with him tactfully and let him know that I wouldn't take on any package without living accommodation, so he threw me his next offer which was shared accommodation in a two-bed apartment, to which I tactfully implied that it would not be something that I would prefer.
The offer he then threw in my direction was: 14000 QR base salary along with living accommodations in a 1 bed room apartment (he didn't mention if it would be furnished or not), as well as the company's car with a driver, however I'm not sure whether he meant the car to be at my disposal at all times, or if the transportation was just from work to home and back. Private and public healthcare both are included in the package as well as an unlimited contract, and 30 days paid vacation with airfare. He said if I did not want the car with driver, he would allot 1000 for transportation allowance for me.
My concern is that I'm currently earning around 16,000 QR and a little more on the side. Like I said earlier I have 8 years of experiences, and the role is of associate administrator. Do you guys think this is an offer I should further negotiate, and if so, how? What should I ask for? Or is this pay compatible with the job position being offered?
Would appreciate all your help, I'm just trying to make calculated decisions and would appreciate any advice.
Thank you everyone!
Welcome brother, for muslim family with 3 kids with less lifestyle enough approx. QR5000 for monthly life spending. Basically google qatar labour law to understand first here. Good luck
Oh, yes, it's almost always better to be given the housing rather than a housing allowance.
Thank you everyone for all your insight! The company owns many residential towers and flats, however on the rent scale they fall at about 20,000 QR for a 2-bed high rise apartment. Do you think it would be ok to ask them to situate me in one of their own residential complexes rather than asking for housing allowance? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again!
I can't answer your question entirely regarding salary but I can tell you that you should look at the whole package they are offering carefully.
Make sure they are offering you accommodation or accommodation allowance (I would say in your case it should be at least 10000 QR more if you can get it).
In Qatar you need a car so look at transport allowance (2000QR+)
Is the company offering health care or is it just nation health care? The national healthcare is ok but you may need some help to register.
It is the package as a whole that decide if a job is worth going for or not but a good salary helps as well.
Hope this helps.
PS Check on how many days vacation they are giving.
I think it would be a marvelous adventure and experience for you. My impression is that senior admin asst's here make about $45,000 US, more or less, of course. The problem is that housing is SO expensive you could chew up half of that on a decent two-bedroom apartment. If the offer includes housing, I'd say go for it. Enjoy your two years here and see if you want to stay. Nothing in life is permanent!
Thank you for you concern.I understand the point your are making, however I'm fine with not having the freedom! I originate from a strong Muslim family here in the US, and we probably live even more conservatively than those living in the Gulf region. So the change in lifestyle would not be much to me.
I do need a more detailed answer to my question though, because I'm not sure what the salary ranges are for the job offered, can someone please help!?
No matter how much they offer you... you will never have freedom here like USA so choice is yours. Of course you will easily get offer better than what you are earning now due to your USA passport (not for Pakistani, Indian or other Asian ...) but your every movement will be controlled my your sponsor (company..). Search/read more about sponsor rule of Gulf .. it will help you...
After all it depend what you want?