Singapore Expats

Hi

I have recently graduated with a degree in Software Engineering from the Uk and have decided to try my luck in Singapore to find a job as this is where my parents live. Unfortunately i haven't had much luck yet. I have applied for many jobs and I believe my credentials are good as I have been told this when applying for jobs in the UK, however seem to be getting no responses.

Is anyone else having trouble landing a job? I've noticed that most job posts are only open to Singaporeans or PR holders only .

If you are a Singaporean you're in luck. If you are a PR, you still might have some luck (but that is disappearing fast!). If you are a foreigner, regardless where your native home is, you are out of luck without at least 2 years experience. You say your parents are here. Are they on Employment Passes or are they PR's?

sundaymorningstaple wrote:If you are a Singaporean you're in luck. If you are a PR, you still might have some luck (but that is disappearing fast!). If you are a foreigner, regardless where your native home is, you are out of luck without at least 2 years experience. You say your parents are here. Are they on Employment Passes or are they PR's?

Thank for your response.
My dad is on an employment pass. I'm on a holiday work permit for 6months, not that it makes any difference!

Tic ........Toc.......Tic..........Toc.......... Kaboom !!!!

Bekster wrote:My small business clients are all for employing fresh grads but then also inform me the candidates must be PR as they don’t have a budget which accommodates the application of EP etc.

Spammer, this is such bullsh*t. It only proves up that the vast majority of employment agents here are ignorant and idiots.

Applying for an EP is a totally inexpensive no brainer. TEN dollars to file. File online. Collect relevant information from applicant and enter it all in about 10 minutes.

OP's problem is no experience. And you, as an 'employment consultant' are too dumb to grasp this fact.

Stop spamming and advertising, or the hammer comes down hard.

Moderator (Strong Eagle)

Yeah I'm in the same boat, Singa seems to be more career-heavy and less entry-level friendly. From what some people have told me it's easier to come into Singapore already with a job; people don't like it as much when you come in and then start searching. Dunno if that's true but it sure seems likely hey....

I'm in the exact same boat. I'm an Australian who recently graduated with a degree in finance. My parents are staying here as entrepass holders (they went to apply for PR today actually). I have been looking for entry level jobs for a while and haven't had any luck either.

It seems that Singapore isn't forgiving to people who are foreign and looking for entry level jobs. The worst part, is I'll need a company to sponsor my employment pass. Damn it's frustrating!

Hope you're doing ok on your search! All the best

Why should a country with extremely limited resources and land space welcome people to come to this country with no experience and potentially take away a job from a local citizen/PR? Is that treating the citizens fairly? Without out experience you are not bringing anything TO the country that is can use. Instead, the country would be providing a foreigner with experience and technology that they will use to go elsewhere with later. That is a net loss for Singapore don't you think? It's not like the US or Aus that has heaps of space and room for virtually unlimited expansion, Singapore has a very small footprint (500 SqKm) and a huge population 5M+ now. Unless you can bring something useful to the country, doesn't make sense does it.

I totally understand and quite frankly agree with you SMS, I was just sharing my current situation. Sure it seems like the wrong way to go about things, but I should at least try so that I can stay with my family. If all else fails, there's always Australia to go back to right? Thanks for the insight though.

lukelc,
What sms is saying is you have no chance of finding a job in Singapore, the brutal truth is you are wasting your time. Companies have to show good reason to the MOM for employing a foreigner and the fact that your parents are there is not one of them. Where there are a sufficient number of locals capable and available to fill a vacancy then they will be, again as indicated by sms.

Agreed, thanks for the insight SMS. I understand it, but then you still have a place like Hong Kong, which also encompasses a very small land mass, yet manages to be very entry-level friendly and is the launching part for thousands of foreigners' careers. Ah well, there's always Australia...!

ednacz wrote:Agreed, thanks for the insight SMS. I understand it, but then you still have a place like Hong Kong, which also encompasses a very small land mass, yet manages to be very entry-level friendly and is the launching part for thousands of foreigners' careers. Ah well, there's always Australia...!

The policies differ from country to country and also from time to time.

ednacz wrote:Agreed, thanks for the insight SMS. I understand it, but then you still have a place like Hong Kong, which also encompasses a very small land mass, yet manages to be very entry-level friendly and is the launching part for thousands of foreigners' careers. Ah well, there's always Australia...!

It would seem that HK practices are very similar. From a website:

All non-Hong Kong residents wanting to work in Hong Kong will require a Work Permit. Whilst there are no documented qualifying criteria, when considering an application, the Immigration Department will usually examine several key areas:

* Higher level educational background: a graduate degree and above would be preferable.
* Relevant experience that is deemed to be in short supply in Hong Kong.
* Reasonable salary level; a guide of US$40000 per annum is considered reasonable.
* How beneficial the individual is to Hong Kong’s economy, trade and industry.
* That a local or resident worker could not fill the position.
* How the expatriate can benefit the locals (e.g. training, impartation of knowledge).

And if you look at this HK immigration document, it seems to back this up.

http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ID%28E%29991.pdf

Thanks for all the replies, some very good points here. I'll continue trying as I am still out here for another month. If its not meant to be, I'll head back to London, im sure to find something there.