Hi. I'm in my late twenties and work in sales for an educational software developer in the UK, having previously worked at a FTSE100 education publisher, with around five years solid sales experience as an account manager and technical sales consultant.
I know most UK university campuses very well, I know the UK Higher Education sector very well and have been involved in negotiation on some large contracts here. I also worked on a sales project related to the Commonwealth Secretariat, selling advertising on a major political publication (Singapore's a Commonwealth nation).
I can get some excellent references from previous employers.
I have been interested in living in Asia for many years and visited Singapore a while back. It ticks my boxes in terms of location and the fact it's still English-speaking, with pretty much most major education-technology companies having an office out there.
My currently salary is £30k, I took home £37k last year with commission.. Should be at least £40k this year.
Unfortunately, just after I turned 18 I was caught with a couple of ecstasy tablets and charged with possession of Class A. I was given a conditional discharge for 1 year and have no subsequent convictions (apart from a couple of SP30 speeding tickets!). This was 11 years ago.
I didn't do rehab, as that's just not something offered in the UK. It was a one-off incident.
The MOM website said I'd be likely to get approval for an SPass and an Employment Pass, on the basis of my salary + qualification (I simply converted my UK take-home salary to $Singapore).
What are your thoughts on:
Being totally upfront about the blemish? Other countries I've visited certainly don't know about it.
Getting a job in Singapore, for a major education publisher/technology company?
Getting approval, considering my legal blemish?
Likely salary, as an account manager or business development manager, for an education/technology company?
Kind regards
Patrick