You need to ask yourself this question: what is it I could offer what is not already available on the local job market in Singapore? You have no substantial experience and your job profile suggests (please prove me wrong), there will be thousands of locals capable and educated for such jobs.meenq wrote:Hey guys, meenq here.
So, little background. I'm 25 years old and I've just lost my job at a big FMCG company, where I was for 1.5 years. I really want to take a big leap of faith and go abroad (I'm living in Europe at the moment) and Singapore is becoming my 1st priority because it has a lot of Biotech/Pharma companies. Realistically, with my background on Biotech (Masters) + my experience on a big FMCG company as a junior project manager, what are my chances of starting a new life in Singapore - from all aspects, not only job wise, visa wise and what not?
Why or Why not should I do it/not do it?
Thanks guys for the feedback!
Hello Strong Eagle.Strong Eagle wrote:Regardless of your qualifications and experience, you have two things going against you... your age and the fact that you have no idea of how to operate in Asia. You will probably want more money than the average local as well.
You exhibit a measure of hubris when you state that your "mentality and soft skills" is not on the local market (sic). You might find yourself metaphorically getting your ass kicked as you try to work with an entirely different approach to business and decision making in Asia and in Singapore. Unlike old guys like me, who are at least accorded some respect as an "uncle" or "Sensei", you are a youngster. You will be resented by the local population of youngsters, coming in a stealing their job, no matter how full of crap that attitude is. And the older Asians will not pay you much accord because you will be viewed as wet behind the ears, professionally and culturally. High probability that you will get shut out.
There are certainly jobs available in supply chain management, and I'm not saying that you can't get a job here. But, recognize that the MNC's here are under a lot of pressure to hire locally. They have to advertise on citizens only job boards. They have a much harder time justifying hiring foreigners. They have been cut off from the body shops.
If you want to work in Singapore, I judge that your best bet is to find a job with a MNC and after a period of time, request a transfer. All of the younger people I met in Singapore were transferred in by the company they were working for.
Good luck.
except a few rare companies, the ability to work with other cultures is extremely important...meenq wrote: Hello Strong Eagle.
Thank you for the very important feedback. This was the kind of feedback that I was looking for. Culturally I don't think I stand a chance because of the facts that you just listed. I think that is hard to find such a young guy like me with my experience (even if it's pretty much 1.5 years) and with the thrive I have to find a good job for myself. Although I think I'm perfectly suited to go to another big MNC, like you said, I don't feel that I have the patience to go through that kind of attitude from the locals. I don't agree with the attitude but I fully respect it and understand it.
Thanks for the input.
ecureilx wrote:except a few rare companies, the ability to work with other cultures is extremely important...meenq wrote: Hello Strong Eagle.
Thank you for the very important feedback. This was the kind of feedback that I was looking for. Culturally I don't think I stand a chance because of the facts that you just listed. I think that is hard to find such a young guy like me with my experience (even if it's pretty much 1.5 years) and with the thrive I have to find a good job for myself. Although I think I'm perfectly suited to go to another big MNC, like you said, I don't feel that I have the patience to go through that kind of attitude from the locals. I don't agree with the attitude but I fully respect it and understand it.
Thanks for the input.
It's not like you need to be a yes man, but challenging everything doesn't end well, unless you have a dozen years experience to back it up.
I don't quite agree with the seeming local resentment, as my last two places were start ups, with a large foreign presence - none of the locals seemed irked by it.
my experience don't matter.meenq wrote: Like me, were you applying from a Foreign country? From which age did you start in Singapore? Starting on a Startup would be the perfect experience! Is there any platform where the se vacancies might be available?
Thanks
To live and work successfully in Asia requires a shift to the cultural norms of the region... if you can't do that, then you shouldn't consider a move. Consensus versus confrontation. Indirect assessment of responsibility to keep people from losing face.meenq wrote:I don't feel that I have the patience to go through that kind of attitude from the locals. I don't agree with the attitude but I fully respect it and understand it.
Thanks for the input.
Please dont get me wrong. Im very open minded and I believe that decisions should come out of consensus and not fights or conflit. And Im perfectly fine in Changing my behavior in order to meet the cultural nerds and costumes. However, what Im not ready for is that people just straight shut me out without giving me a chance to even try. And that was the idea I got out of your first point. Thats why I replied the way I replied.Strong Eagle wrote:To live and work successfully in Asia requires a shift to the cultural norms of the region... if you can't do that, then you shouldn't consider a move. Consensus versus confrontation. Indirect assessment of responsibility to keep people from losing face.meenq wrote:I don't feel that I have the patience to go through that kind of attitude from the locals. I don't agree with the attitude but I fully respect it and understand it.
Thanks for the input.
I will say that Singaporean managers who have worked in the USA, Oz, or Europe tend to come back wishing that things could be more direct.
The key, though, is your flexibility. I knew an American fellow who used to get raving mad every time he went out in Saigon... he'd scream at the traffic and pound on car hoods... but that's just the way it is.
I'm not saying that valuable ideas generated from a hotshot aren't wanted, it's just that you must introduce them in ways that are probably foreign to you.
Good luck.
well, let me put it this way, why should anybody owe you a chance ?meenq wrote: However, what Im not ready for is that people just straight shut me out without giving me a chance to even try. And that was the idea I got out of your first point. Thats why I replied the way I replied.
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