JOBS IN SAUDI ARABIA (KSA) - THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE ACCEPTING AN OFFER OR VISA

Working in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I just thought of sharing my experience about Jobs in Saudia Arabia and the things to consider before accepting an offer. This hub is most suitable for those from Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Afganistan, Indonesia and similar countries.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rich of Job opportunities, mostly technical categories are of a high demand. Especially in Jubail there are many Job Opportunities available in the market. All you need to do is to prepare an attractive CV and apply in a standard recruitment agency in your country. Usually most of the recruitment agencies advertise their requirement in the news papers and internet sites.

You have to take extensive care in choosing your recruitment agent, because personal experience says that most of them breach the law and ultimately you have to suffer in your Job. You may go to the Bureau of Foreign employment to give you an idea of which is the best recruitment agents. I would like readers’ comments to recommend renowned recruitment agencies in your country along with contact details in order to help those coming through your country.

Check well about the company and its standards to identify whether it meets your expectation. Many recruitment agents boast about the hiring company. But 90 % of it are untrue. Many companies do not pay on time, or you will be assigned a job which you were not recruited for. So I would make it mandatory for anyone seeking opportunities to verify the company from their own source. I myself can help anyone who is interested to know about a company. You can ask a question in the Ask box in the right hand side of this hub so I can reply you. Don’t forget to leave your email address in your question.

Make sure about your salary and terms. Usually companies provide Basic Salary + free food / food allowance, medical, accommodation and transport. Make sure that all what you agree is specified in the contract you sign in your recruitment agencies. Most recruitment agencies try to show a higher salary in the contract to escape government obstacles. If you are to agree to it, think twice, you have to check out the credibility of the recruitment agent, the standard of the hiring company.

Some low standard Saudi company charge for Iqaama Fees and so on. I would not personally advise to take up such offers. Whenever you face an interview either with foreign principals / recruitment agents, do inquire about Iqaama fees, food allowance, accommodation, transport and so on.

I would not advise to accept a low salary offer with the hope of obtaining and increment once you are in the Job.  There are very rare chances to get an increment once you accepted your offer.

Confirm what you pay for the recruitment agent. Recruitment agents have the tendency of charging a high fee for lower job categories like labour, mason, painter etc. Check competitive recruitment offices, to find out if you are paying reasonable fees. Some hiring companies offer free recruitment which your recruitment agent might hide and charge you a recruitment fees. Inquire those who have previous working experience in Saudi Arabia to know about these facts.

Make sure your visa category matches your profession. Especially in Saudi Arabia, you need to have a good visa profession in order to entitle yourself for Family Visa. I see many of the qualified managers, technician are deprived of having their loved ones with them due to having a low category visa.

Always make sure that you get a visa category which matches your skills. This will keep you on the safe side.

If you are intending to bring your family to Saudi Arabia, I would advise you to get a driving license from your own country. This will save your time and sometimes money here.

These are the few points which come in to my mind when we talk about employment in Saudi Arabia. I will be posting more about the Jobs in Saudi Arabia to make the Job seekers aware about important things to consider before they commit to an offer.

I appreciate the readers’ comment about their middle east experience as well...