Speed of Interview with Hovensa and being hired and moving and relo packages, et

BodoGirl wrote:

> We will be coming in next weekend (we think), if the HR girl
> ever gets in touch with us. My husband has worked for the guy
> doing the hiring so it'll probably be a done deal.

******* SOME ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS *

NEVER say this again...there is a perception here at the refinery that off-islanders, particularly Caucasian ones, are given preferential treatment over locals. There was a job action just this week about that, and the company is presently "investigating charges of racial discrimination."
>
> But, I've got questions.
>
> 1. How long from the time that they flew you in for the
> 'interview' until they made a $$$ offer?

** If they like you they will make an offer within 2 weeks.
>
> 2. After the offer, how long did yall have to accept it?

*** You need to accept right away, they have many candidates who are as qualified as you are.
>
> 3. How good was the relo package? ie, if you have a boat,
> will they move it and both our vehicles? Are we limited to
> certain weight stuff, etc?/

I think this is negotiable as part of your acceptance of job offer

> 4. Taxes. What are IRS taxes like down there? Are the
> 'rates' the same as in the Continental U.S.?

* In the VI we pay Federal income tax and Social Security. The Federal taxes stay here, and the rates are the same as the US...Federally controlled.
>
> 5. I have heard of the 'gated camp'. Is it nice? Dumpy?
> Please be honest. Would my DH and I be better off buying (or
> renting) something off camp?

* The camp is one of the nicest places on the island. There are concrete houses and there are double-wide trailers. They are all nice, and maintained by the plant's maintenance company. There is a unit that's devoted to camp maintenance. You would be downright silly to refuse camp housing, don't let the word "camp" fool you. Free electricity, water, yard maintenance, garbage pickup, and the power never goes out, unlike the rest of the island. HOVENSA is a world-class facility with what is probably the best power generation facility in the Caribbean,
>
> 6. Is Hess really a good company to work for? Do they pay
> for your medical/health/dental bennys? How much?
>
It's an excellent company to work for. Many of their employees have been there for 20-30 years. You will not find a better medical/health/dental anywhere, and ask about the company-matched savings plans. I believe the insurance covers 80% of medical, but please check.

> 7. What's the vacation package?

I got a week after my first year, but again I believe the vacation package is negotiable.
>
> 8. IS there spousal employment placement assistance too?
>
Your spouse is on his/her own. Depending on qualifications, there is excellent employment available with numerous EDC companies that have set up shop here. They are mostly financial services though, so accounting, legal, banking, and particularly foreign markets trading skills are desirable. You must have a Bachelor's degree if you expect to find decent work here, otherwise you are limited to the bar/tourist/restaurant industry.

** Feel free to email me if you have any more questions. I worked for Hess for 10 years.

Yeah, camp housing might have those perks, but who would want to live next to a refinery in such an artificial setting. I don't even feel like I'm on St. Croix when I visit friends there... it's ridiculous. It reminds me of one of those compounds in South Africa they had during the apartheid period with fences to keep the blacks out (I'm half-joking, I know black people who live there).

In all seriousness, I think it's actually silly to live there, and if you have the money, be more open-minded and live in a nice neighborhood on the island where you can actually experience island-living more intimately. If you have gripes about electricity cutting out, if you can afford it, buy a generator, they're not too expensive these days and you will defintiely not have to use it on a regular basis.

"Free electricity, water, yard maintenance, garbage pickup, and the power never goes out"

I think these are great perks. Kind of reminds me of military housing that I lived in for a couple years. You may be right about getting out and living on the island, but at first just to get your bearings, make new friends with your co workers/families, and maybe save some money this sounds like a pretty good deal.

Not so sure I'd want to live in a doublewide during hurricane season though...heh.

Native Son,

In answer to BodoGirl's first question, "How long from the time that they flew you in for the 'interview' until they made a $$$ offer?", you answered:

***** If they like you they will make an offer within 2 weeks.

What makes you say that - personal experience, or just a hunch? The reason I'm asking is because I was recently there for an interview, and I'm curious how long it will take to hear back from them.

BodoGirl,

I'll answer your questions where my answers differ from Native Son's. Not that his answers are wrong, but I've heard different information.
-------------------------------
1. How long from the time that they flew you in for the 'interview' until they made a $$$ offer?

**I've heard that it takes longer than two weeks, more like 4 to 5 weeks.

3. How good was the relo package? ie, if you have a boat, will they move it and both our vehicles? Are we limited to certain weight stuff, etc?/

**Relocation package is excellent. There is a weight limit, but it's generous. Not sure about the boat, but the package does include moving two cars.

6. Is Hess really a good company to work for? Do they pay for your medical/health/dental bennys? How much?

**Here's another benefit that I was told about. Employees are free to make doctor's appointments on the mainland, and insurance covers the plane ticket. Health related trips are limited to two per year.

7. What's the vacation package?

**If you have experience in the field for which you've been hired for, you are compensated with additional weeks of time. In other words, if you have 10 years of experience being a rotating equipment engineer, and that's what you're hired for, then right off the bat, you'll receive vacation that a 10-year person receives.