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Subject:Re: Tips for agencies From:Buck Buchanan <buck -dot- buchanan -at- CITICORP -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 4 Aug 1997 06:22:54 -0700
>
> Hmmm. Well, you never know; what's a bad location to me might be
> attractive to someone else--maybe the recruiter could cross his/her
> fingers and hope someone is experienced, mobile, and enamoured of
> extremes in climate.
True. The Mideast is a perfect example. Tilly and I love working in
the Arab World. We've been in Saudi Arabia when all hell was breaking
loose. We just "low-profile" it when problems arise.
It's probably one of the safest places in the world (crime-wise).
Others, who cringe when we mention going to the Mideast, may have their
priorities mixed up.
My salary in Taif, Saudi Arabia was DOUBLE what I could get here, plus
if I stay a year, there's tax exemption. Zero local tax there.
Gasoline is $.30 per gallon. Cost of living on the local economy (not
in a company enclave) is 25% less than in DFW.
Other places which may be less desirable all pay hardship bonuses (they
don't call them that). When a war breaks out (as it does about every
two years), and if we're in danger, we re-negotiate or go home.
We see "bad" places in the US in the same way. If the pay justifies the
hardship, take it for a year.
And there's always our "bucket theory." I've told the list about this,
but perhaps you missed it:
Two metaphorical buckets are carried throughout the contract; one
contains honey, the other s---.
When the s--- outweighs the honey, honey, it's time to go home.
Thank goodness for the "Shangai law." They can't keep you there if you
don't want to stay.
Carry a minimum of $5000 in greenbacks when you go, just in case.
IMHO
--
Buck Buchanan
Software Documentation
Citicorp Technology Center
Westlake, Texas
Speaking for me, not for them!
buck -dot- buchanan -at- citicorp -dot- com
Home: writer -at- wf -dot- net
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