| I can really only answer 2) for you: if you want to live in HK, and be half-way between Aus and Europe, I would suggest an SO position. If you want DEFO, apply now they will ask you to apply again when you have the min experience, but it will do no harm (probably good in fact) showing you are interested earlier. If you want a paid holiday for 2-3 years, take an expat package as an SO. You'll get anywhere between 15-20 days off at home (HK) a month, depending on fleet, and earn more in total package than a DEFO. If you decide to buy something and let the company pay it off, have kids with education expenses etc, you'd be better off, financially at least, on SO package. You will have the same seniority (assuming you ended up starting the same time) whether SO or FO, so command would happen the same time...in theory. |