Question about jobs for foreigners with no experience

[starrylove]

My American boyfriend wants to join me in Singapore but he lacks relevant work experience. He has been working as a waiter in a high class restaurant in the US for more than 5 years. He is now in his 30s.

I was curious about the type of jobs he could do in Singapore. I know employers here usually want good credentials before they would hire a foreigner.

Any advice would be great! Thank you in advance.

PS: Marrying is not an option right now. We want him to have a stable job here before we get married.

[Plavt]

As you say yourself 'lacks relevant work experience' and personally I doubt that being a waiter is going to help as that kind of work is done by locals. The truth is he simply won't be able to get a job with an employer as they have to show justification for employing a foreigner. Perhaps he has some skill in which he could start his own company?

[starrylove]

Thanks for your input! I was hoping he could get a sales job or any other job (thus the need for advice). Working as a waiter is out of the question since most of them are lowly paid.

The truth is he simply won't be able to get a job with an employer as they have to show justification for employing a foreigner.

Sigh! Sounds like it is gonna be tough for him then.

[taxico]

he could try over-the-phone customer service positions. (not telemarketing)

has he got at least his GED/HSD?

i understand singapore companies do hire experienced foreign front line staff with customer service experience but there' some kinda educational requirement they gotta meet...

try the 3 major telcos or head on to a recruitment agency. the pay's better than being a server in singapore.

[starrylove]

Thank you, taxico!

Yes he as an Associate's Degree in Arts and has certificates in electrical and mechanical engineering. I did check up on his college and it looks like its not in the list of recognized institutions. I hope it doesn't matter though. It is the Florida Community College.

I will definitely get him to check out the 3 telco companies in Singapore. The Singaporean accent might take a while to get used to though. But we'll see! I'll also get him to send in his resume to all recruitment agencies possible. Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.

Any advice or suggestions are really appreciated!

[Bremen]

I suggest he tries to get a PEP first from MOM. If he can't even get that, I doubt he'll be able to get into SG.

[bruinbear]

Hmmmm.. service industry... I wonder if the posh restaurants in the upcoming Integrated Resorts would require service staff.

[starrylove]

I understand that the PEP is for foreigners who have worked in Singapore for a period of time: http://tinyurl.com/6y9tmh.

bruinbear: I hope so! It would be perfect timing too. It is opening in 2009, isn't it?

[taxico]

a large chunk of american waiters makes their money from tips. there's no such system in singapore (technically).

posh as it may be, i doubt the pay for wait staff will actually commensurate menu prices at "posh" restaurants.

if i were the restaurant owner, i would contract out good training lessons instead for the bulk of the staff.

couple that with the increase in hospitality institutes/academies in singapore that allow students/graduates to work or "intern", this translates to all restaurants having a wider pick of cheap labor in replaceable roles.

but if you mean a specialist like the maitre'd/experienced sommelier then i don't know enough to comment.

still i doubt someone new to singapore would be picked and placed in a popular upscale restaurant.

the crowd that throng such places may prove too difficult and chi-chi for someone new to the scene to handle.

just my 2c!

[starrylove]

Makes sense. Sigh! I wonder if it is as hard for me to move to the US!

[taxico]

if you marry an american, it'll be easy as your non-immigrant visa will be sponsored by the spouse. get your green card and then wait for 3 or 4 years before you start the citizenship application. then you wait some more.

if you're not singaporean, then it'll take a while. a long while, made slightly better only if you graduated from an american college, but not for long-term jobs. it'll help if you work for a school as they're not subject to quota.

if you're singaporean, you qualify a for a unlimited H1B1 renewals which may lead to a green card. but you might want to check with an immigration attorney on how to do that... and the H1B1 visa presents challenges itself.

i could be wrong, so do your leg work! (those were what i found out for my wife who's a naturalized singapore citizen)

[starrylove]

Thank you, taxico! I will be doing a lot of reading up the next few days.