Getting back into overseas contracting

[KBScobravert]

Has there been any major changes in anything regarding pay in the new year, or with the new president?

This has been a long ass 90 days for me. Should have 30 days left before my clearance is back.

Pay will always stay the same for an individual position per the initial contract with the government.

We expect to be changing contact companies in the next 2 years and I anticipate pay going down, not up. It is just the way these things are done. Without a promotion, I'll make less if I stay on board when that happens.

[HarrisonTX]

News on potential ground combat troops in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab has been steadily increasing it's attacks over the past 6 months.

My project here in Agadez is finished, or at least for the reason I was hired in for. I'm sort of in limbo right now until my next site is approved.

Has there been any major changes in anything regarding pay in the new year, or with the new president?

This has been a long ass 90 days for me. Should have 30 days left before my clearance is back.

[KBScobravert]

News on potential ground combat troops in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab has been steadily increasing it's attacks over the past 6 months.

My project here in Agadez is finished, or at least for the reason I was hired in for. I'm sort of in limbo right now until my next site is approved.

[KBScobravert]

Keith, I come seeking advice man. I got an offer an I'd like your opinion on how to proceed. I didn't want to call or text this early and wake you up. Respond here or hit me up when you see this?

I'm up, text me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[HarrisonTX]

Clearing 85 your first year is pretty good if you ask me. You will still make a little more when you combine in travel reimbursement for R&R, paid days of leave, etc.

Remember, getting in is the key. My first year with KBR in 2006 I made a little over 75 and only made more each year.

Keith, I come seeking advice man. I got an offer an I'd like your opinion on how to proceed. I didn't want to call or text this early and wake you up. Respond here or hit me up when you see this?

[KBScobravert]

Clearing 85 your first year is pretty good if you ask me. You will still make a little more when you combine in travel reimbursement for R&R, paid days of leave, etc.

Remember, getting in is the key. My first year with KBR in 2006 I made a little over 75 and only made more each year.

[HarrisonTX]

First $96k (or whatever it is up to now) will be tax-free. But paying 15% to Iraq is a red flag for me. Maybe you misunderstood something?

I'm pretty sure I heard her correctly. She said "of course it's tax free in the US, but you do have to pay 15% in Iraq.

If they offer you anything over 100K take it. Get your foot in the door. With no expenses back home you can save a ton.

The tax deduction for overseas exemption is around $104 or maybe a little more for 2016.

You will pay in your regular contribution of 8% to SS and Medicare. Thanks Obama.

You want to make sure you are on a W2 and NOT a 1099. If you are on a 1099, you are responsible for the whole 15ish% of the SS and Medicare and it makes doing your taxes a complete pain in the ass.

I would take a 1099 job but it would have to be north of $150k for the position I am in. Your salary requirements may be different.

Good luck. Hopefully they call you back with the offer.

Kieth, money is basically all she talked about. She made it sound like it was already a done deal. She asked what I was thinking, and I said "I'm open to discuss it, I've been doing a little research on what to expect"
She replied with, "so like $90-$100k"? I told her $100 would be the absolute lowest I'd even consider and she sounded like that was doable. To be completely honest though, now I want to shoot for $120k. Obviously after 15% taxed it would only be $85, which just isnt worth it. There's also a 5% bonus if you complete the full year, and I'd get 26 days leave (two 13 days leaves)

[KBScobravert]

If they offer you anything over 100K take it. Get your foot in the door. With no expenses back home you can save a ton.

The tax deduction for overseas exemption is around $104 or maybe a little more for 2016.

You will pay in your regular contribution of 8% to SS and Medicare. Thanks Obama.

You want to make sure you are on a W2 and NOT a 1099. If you are on a 1099, you are responsible for the whole 15ish% of the SS and Medicare and it makes doing your taxes a complete pain in the ass.

I would take a 1099 job but it would have to be north of $150k for the position I am in. Your salary requirements may be different.

Good luck. Hopefully they call you back with the offer.

[Mike K]

edit: the lady did say it's tax free but you have to pay 15% to Iraq? That's kind of a ton.

First $96k (or whatever it is up to now) will be tax-free. But paying 15% to Iraq is a red flag for me. Maybe you misunderstood something?

[HarrisonTX]

Pretty easy phone call. I should hear from the hiring manager tomorrow or monday, calling directly from iraq. 60 hours a week (damn i was expecting 84) and a salary.
Full year commitment. I've got some real thinking to do about that. A full year. But I don't have shit going on right now, so I don't see why I wouldnt. Shit would be like a financial rocketship for me.

edit: the lady did say it's tax free but you have to pay 15% to Iraq? That's kind of a ton.

[Mike K]

Key is to get in. Do your job well and learn who can keep you employed.

Same advice I give most people, but I used to say it about KBR.

HarrisonTX - FYI - our senior HR person went from Antarctica and took a promotion to be in charge of PAE Human Resources in Iraq. Denice Henderson I think her name was. A real bitch. She black-listed one of my friends in Antarctica. My friend even tried to get on with PAE Iraq... called a recruiter and was told that they couldn't hire him.

[KBScobravert]

Right on man. I will send an updated resume if anyone there wants it, showing that I now have my license.

Just got an e-mail, I have a "phone screen" with PAE tomorrow for a position in baghdad. I was hoping it was for the Antarctica position (the same place Mike K was at), but I'll do baghdad for a 4th time.

Now to figure out what a 'phone screen' means.

That's awesome. I had a friend that I found out worked for them in Kabul and had nothing bad to say about them. Key is to get in. Do your job well and learn who can keep you employed.

[D. Lil]

Right on man. I will send an updated resume if anyone there wants it, showing that I now have my license.

Just got an e-mail, I have a "phone screen" with PAE tomorrow for a position in baghdad. I was hoping it was for the Antarctica position (the same place Mike K was at), but I'll do baghdad for a 4th time.

Now to figure out what a 'phone screen' means.

Let me know if you make it over here!

[HarrisonTX]

And clean your PM box. Says it is full.

cleaned

[Mike K]

Right on man. I will send an updated resume if anyone there wants it, showing that I now have my license.

Just got an e-mail, I have a "phone screen" with PAE tomorrow for a position in baghdad. I was hoping it was for the Antarctica position (the same place Mike K was at), but I'll do baghdad for a 4th time.

Now to figure out what a 'phone screen' means.

And clean your PM box. Says it is full.