Singapore Expats

hello everyone
i m actually from malaysia and just graduated from local university. One company from singapore just offer a job as junior naval architect in singapore. They offer 2000sgd per month with 3 month probation period.
i would like to know is it ok with the salary, 2000sgd per month?
and for singapore, after probation, are they any increment ?
could i survive living in spore with that amount of salary?
thanks

The salary sounds about right for a fresh grad here from a local uni (maybe a wee bit on the low side but that is because they know you are from Malaysia). If you are commuting from Johor the salary is do-able but if you are living here in Singapore, it will be a tight fit unless you have kaki's here you can share accommodations with. Normally probation is followed by a slight increment (nothing to write home about though) but with the impending doom & gloom going around, I wouldn't be so worried about an increment as I would keeping employed.

sms

is it....so i intent to live in gelang patah near 2nd link. and the journey will take about one and half hour if no traffic jammed on the way..
however, i did a survey about fresh grad salary in singapore and i saw most of it is 2200 - 2500 sumthing...i dun wanna to be cheated because i m from malaysia. And the racial thing, is it happened in singapore? let say i work very hard in that company but they give me nothing for that...im worried bout this..
anyway..thanks for the explaination.

Welcome to the real world. School is over. Now it's time to face the facts. Yes, you will be paid lower as you are a Malaysian. However, with experience you will eventually catch up to your peers here in a matter of time. Reality sucks but don't let that stand in your way of getting good experience. Worry about the company and what experience you can get first. The money will come later. Don't put the cart before the horse. You don't even know if your boat will float once it's launched off the rails.

Go for it.

On the contrary, I think $2k is too low for your industry. Did you graduate with a technical degree?

yup... i graduate with degree in mechanical tehcnology marine from uni in malaysia..
is it too low?
yeah..i agree..feel a bit demotivated when thinking bout this..my fren same year graduate, same course, his basic is 2500sgd..500sgd difference ...

Even though I'm not a fresh grad, and my "written amount" of salary is a bit higher than you (my real salary is unstable, and I could tell you my depressing story on this, but I don't need to rant right now).

I feel the similar thing, you can survive with $2K / month, as long as you have a cheap lifestyle. Don't spend too much on unnecessary things.

But what you need to keep in mind is, you also need to think about your future career here in Singapore. If your job as a naval architect is a high demand type of job, then you don't need to worry, your salary will "eventually" be increased as long as you stay competitive.

But, that also doesn't mean that your employer that hired you right now, will increase your salary . It maybe another employer.

I'm not saying you should leave to another employer, after 3 months or until you get bored within a year.

What I mean is:
- If they put you under contract, stay within the period of contract, after it's over just keep your options open, don't stick too much in one place if it doesn't get you anywhere.
- If you get a permanent position ( I assume you are, since there's a probation period ), then stay until you make at least one achievement there, or at least until you finish your job, whatever it's your job there.
But, if you're happy with your employer, it's not a bad idea to think about long term career.

I'll tell you some bad facts that maybe bitter, but don't make this a reason to be a "brat" in your job. Of course this will depend on the company, and the employer:
- Most of the time, you're nothing more than a "tool" for your superiors, in order for them to get their job done, or in order for them to get their money, with your help.
- If you're a genius, you'll get more respect, but it would also means that you'll have less time for yourself, because you're talented, and they will need you more. If they're rich, then you're lucky. But, if they're not ?
- If you're a mediocre or low performer, then don't expect to get any increase in salary., because even though you "did finish your job", that also doesn't mean that you "did a good job", you might even be surprised someday if someone that you thought never did anything significant, possess a higher salary than you.

Why these bad facts ? Because decisions are not under your control . Your superiors may not think like you do, no matter who is the smarter, or who is the most experienced in their own fields.

You're just a junior naval architect, if you're a senior architect or a technical director or something, then you can count on your career in that company. But if the company is good, you might have some hope for a better position.

Well good luck.

Nice post jesse.

Agree with jesse - Take the job, see it as a way to get a foot in the door here in Singapore. With more experience, you can apply for other jobs or demand a higher salary.

Well said jesse.

if you are not happy with the pay, then look for another job (if you can find one, or work in malaysia?). the thing is, for a fresh grad, you are lucky to get into a job even on probation. so you are actually working to gain experiences in the real world, so in theory, you should be paying the company.

work your way up, not work because of the money. good luck.

Try to compare wt the job offer you can get in msia...
after deduct the living cost... life style that you prefer (e,g Msia= owning a car; Sg= public transport).. is it still worth working in sg...

Good Luck!