Lot of ExPats are getting jobs in home countries because they truly are versatile high performers. That is how they became ExPats in the first place.
Being successful in ROMs and PDCs really does have a lot to do with networking, networking, and networking. Don't limit yourself or your career by doing a bang-up job in isolation., where only a small group of people are aware of your contributions or abilities.
There is also a word of caution to all expats to stay on close terms with your sponsor and management in your home country. Just because you have been ranked a 1 for ten years running in Timbuktu doesn't automatically mean you will be able to steal a position from an obese mouth-breather fishing buddy of the boss back home. If you get repatriated, leaders are your only avenue to landing a position and they may have to fight for it through middle and upper management. Ideally you should be so well known to your home country that they are fighting to bring you home, only not fighting quite hard enough to reel you back in. In fact, it might be a good idea to go fishing with them on your home leave...
Solid gold, 1cdd. "Chevrong" and "Ship of fools". Two new terms to be added to the Chevron Corp Layoff Website Hall of Fame.
Chevrons recent 350 million tax loss in Australia is more excrement for the chevrong empire. 80 percent of the worker bees have been chased off now by the fat managers in order to protect their empires since there is no one left to call them out on their incompetence. Ship of fools with no sense of direction or vision of success
There are lots of expats being laid off too. 6 in my group this PDC.
Interesting topic.
Like one of the posters said, I am also under the impression that many ExPats receive 2 rankings in order to allow the host county employees to get more 2+ and 1 rankings - part of the rationale being that ExPats are already highly compensated.
An interesting thread and expect it was written by a member of our "HR" and I use the word loosely "team". It appears that xjd's is another member of that highly productive team that has never seen what oil looks like let alone understand where our revenue comes from. We are not a bank or an insurance company, yes we work with oil, polluting the countries we do this in, refuse to pay taxes and if you look through these threads we excel at treating people like crap.
Having done many assignments I rarely came across the "truly versatile high performers" but did find the second paragraph on networking to be accurate. The PDC is run by a USA old boys club and you do need to get to know them to maintain a job. There are other names for networking that is left to your imagination. The PDC does not consider career paths just moving friends around and is another example of the companies diversity in action as is the LGBT award or giving expats a 2 on rankings to patronise the locals. In times like this getting a job back at home means you take what is left after the ROM's cut. So you are not connected may end up as a PIJB to stay employed despite being a truly versatile high performer and your "career", well that was another Chevron myth.
So it seems the recommendation is to run around blowing your own trumpet and then go and do some CSOC feedback, or a 360 feedback or Career Path planning, safety observation and the countless other activities that fill up each day to look good and then go home exhausted. I suggest get behind that desk or better still out into the field where money is made and do a days work. It is this type of nonsense that keeps the company at a steady 4th quartile performer and this is not my opinion but IPA's, Solomon's and Mckinsey. Our project decisions and capabilities speak for themselves, EGTL, Gorgon, Wheatstone, China, Bigfoot etc all managed by these truly versatile high performers. JW's ability to manipulate the shareholders and play with the assets has come to an end.
If we just started "to do what we say we will do" and cut out those not directly contributing to oil production we may just have a chance at succeeding and I dont mean reaching personal financial goals which is the present case but rather the companies.
The OP is 100% right when he/she says, "Don't limit yourself or your career by doing a bang-up job in isolation, where only a small group of people are aware of your contributions or abilities.".
Your boss will appreciate your hard work that makes his job easier and may even boost his career. But don't lose sight of the fact that your own career is influenced primarily by other people outside your own workgroup. Make sure your work impacts other groups outside your own and make yourself known around the office and in different workgroups. Don't shackle yourself behind a desk and be invisible.