Struggling to find work with a PLOC and LTVP

[Joetree11]

I have a PLOC with an LTVP, and have been in Singapore since December.

I have had very little response from job applications. I also seem to just be completely ignored by recruitment agencies, or any enquiry emails I send out.

Is this standard or am I doing something wrong? Does anyone have any advice for someone with my status finding work?

[MartynK]

I hear you man. I'm also here since December. Also have LTVP+ & PLOC. I lost count of how many job applications I have sent out. Zero responses. Most frustrating thing to me is that most job postings are "Singaporean/PR only".
When I was approved my PLOC back then I was so happy because you're not subject to the foreigner quota and levy for companies making it almost on par with Singaporean/PR. I expected that would really make finding a job here a lot easier. Only to learn that most companies have no idea what the heck a PLOC actually is. Seems to me that once they see you're a foreigner they skip you because they're afraid to go over the foreigner quota and need to pay levy.
Honestly it's very discouraging and I wish HR's were more educated about this.
I have gradually tweaked my resume and now it starts prominently with: "No foreigner quota & levy. No CPF." In hopes it will marginally increase the chance some HR's will read beyond the first few lines. I also don't mind downgrading and accept a simple job for which I'm clearly overqualified but it seems I'm not even considered for those either. Job fairs, walk in interview events etc almost all exclusively for SG/PR.

But I keep going at it and will never give up or lose hope.
I wish you all the best finding a job my friend.

[Strong Eagle]

I haven't lived in Singapore for a long time but I can tell you that your problem has been a consistent issue over the decades that I've been a board moderator. Trailing spouses have a great deal of difficulty getting any job, especially one at their experience and skill level.

Recruitment agencies aren't worth a bucket of warm shit. Part of it is because your PLOC and LTVP are ultimately dependent upon someone else's legal status, so recruiters find it hard to get companies to pay for your placement when it could be pulled out from under them. You could disappear in a New York minute, through no fault of your own.

Beyond that, you're viewed as an outsider. No NS if you're a male, and therefore, no NS connections. Chinese firms aren't going to hire you unless you're Chinese. Why, oh why, hire a foreigner with no understanding of the culture or language when there are plenty of locals to choose from? Like it or not, it's the way of the world.

Add to this the fact that virtually all EP's are issued to MNC's transferring in personnel from a branch in another country. In country EP hires come from the reservoir of EP's already in the country. I can count on one hand the number of individuals who actually got a job after coming to Singapore to job hunt. Your living here helps a bit but not that much. Hiring into an external EP or SPass is a hassle for companies.

Your best bet is going to be to volunteer with various expat organizations. I don't know what flavor of expat you are but there are associations for Americans, Brits, Aussies, and more. There are organizations that help maids. And plenty of others. Like AmCham, and I'm sure that there are others like it. This will enable you to establish a network in Singapore, with people who work in companies that hire expats... aka, MNC's... or you meet the spouses of people who work in MNC's. I know of several people who managed to obtain very good positions after working as a volunteer for a year or two. The chambers of commerce are a particularly good place to engage in volunteer activities.

[Joetree11]

Thank you for your answers

I've been able to get a low paying job but a job nonetheless. I've achieved this by simply messaging on WhatsApp directly to someone, jumping the CV shredding online applications.

I am also enrolled to get a forklift license, and will try to gain other certificates.

It definitely sucks out there, you have to work your way up if you don't know anyone

[MartynK]

Good for you man! I'm happy for you. Literally 1 day after my post I also got an invite for a job interview which will happen next week.