Not sure why I'm getting so many job rejections

[londonsg]

Hi,
I'm British, live in SG and have the right to work here (I'm originally here because of my wife). However, in the past month+ I have applied to over 15 jobs that are very relevant to my skill set and I've been met with either complete silence or a rejection email (I've yet to get even a first interview). These job applications have been a mix of directly to the employer and through agents.

I'm rather baffled by my complete lack of progress with this as I'm sure that if I was back in London at least half of the the positions would have come back with at a first interview request or a request that I do a test first. For reference I work as a software developer and have done so for 20 years.

Are there any expats out there that have had any similar experiences when trying to get a job in SG? Any suggestions about what might be going wrong/what I might be doing wrong?

Thanks

[Strong Eagle]

"right to work" = PR?

[sundaymorningstaple]

"right to work" = PR?

Probably has an LTVP+. Also, if he is using the term 'right to work' it sounds like he's entitled to the reader here who would not necessarily be used to that phrasing which I'm assuming is something from UK or a Union Member.

londonsg, If you are holding an LTVP+ it just means you can work if an employer is willing to apply for a 'Letter of Consent'. The problem is, the vast majority of employers here are not really familiar with the 'Letter of Consent' so you will need to learn to use the proper name AND possibly will have to explain it to them in your cover letter.

Obviously, you are also able to get a position in your own right on an Employment Pass as well but then you have to fully qualify under the criteria listed for the EP which is considerably more stringent than the LoC. On the off chance that you are a Permanent Resident (PR) then they are finding something in your CV that they are not buying at this point in time.

[tt1973]

Letter of Consent (LOC) is not difficult to apply, just need print out some forms and submit.

Like sms has said, explain the procedure in your job application and highlight that you have the "right to work" / DP / LTVP+.

This will help your chances.

[sundaymorningstaple]

tt1973, remember though, the employer has to apply for the LoC, not the applicant for the job. I also don't think using the term 'right to work' should be used as with the local standard of English, it has an entitlement term which I think some people would find rather demanding. I'm only speaking from 25 years as an HR Mgr (recently retired).

[Strong Eagle]

Not by any means am I casting any aspersions, londonsg, and, I had a friend who complained bitterly that he had sent his resume out to 120 potential employers without receiving a single response. When I suggested that perhaps his resume wasn't doing a proper job of selling, he became quite indignant, saying that it was a good resume because he had sent it to many places.

As a former PR expat in Singapore, I've had occasion to hire both locals and expats into technical and semi-technical jobs. If you wish message me, and I'll give you my view of your resume.

[PNGMK]

I think OP might be hitting an ageism issue as well (just guessing at his age).

[The Ref]

I think OP might be hitting an ageism issue as well (just guessing at his age).

That scares me more than him not getting a job

[londonsg]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I'm here in the country under DP but have been told that I have "privilege to work in Singapore" and like SMS mentioned "employer can apply for a Letter of Consent" for me to work in Singapore. I'm starting to strongly suspect this is the problem. A HR department or recruiter is getting my CV, seeing I have DP, and not understanding that I can still work. There could well be a misconception that all people on DP cannot work.

As for ageism, this has been an issue since I was 35 lol. IT sector can be notoriously ageist, however that is usually only a % of the places and 15 for 15 not going anywhere would tell me that ageism probably isnt the main issue.

@SMS I assume that because I have DP I dont need to gain LTVP+ as well? I just need to have the employer apply for the LoC based on my DP? (I'm possibly getting a little mixed up here).

[Wong_Jnr]

I'm here in the country under DP but have been told that I have "privilege to work in Singapore" and like SMS mentioned "employer can apply for a Letter of Consent" for me to work in Singapore. I'm starting to strongly suspect this is the problem. A HR department or recruiter is getting my CV, seeing I have DP, and not understanding that I can still work. There could well be a misconception that all people on DP cannot work.

This is a red herring.
Any decent company would apply for an EP for you in your own right. It's the fact that you need a work permit where there is the issue as they might want to watch their quota's and hire a local. That said having a LOC does not count against their quota's and I do think some firms miss a trick here.

As for ageism, this has been an issue since I was 35 lol. IT sector can be notoriously ageist, however that is usually only a % of the places and 15 for 15 not going anywhere would tell me that ageism probably isnt the main issue.

15 applications is nothing IMHO. The field that you're in is more the issue. You are competing with hundreds if not thousands of similarly skilled candidates, and then you need to account for those that are "locals"

@SMS I assume that because I have DP I dont need to gain LTVP+ as well? I just need to have the employer apply for the LoC based on my DP? (I'm possibly getting a little mixed up here).

A LTVP is another form of ability to stay in Singapore. If you weren't married for instance you could possibly have a LTVP as opposed to a DP.


My overarching advice to you is to network as much as you can. It's more about who you know than what you know here. The door has to be opened by you and you need to go and find those correct doors.
I hear plenty of stories from DP holders bemoaning that it's so difficult to find a job, but then on the other hand all my ex-DP holder friends have all found jobs as they've been dedicated and adapted to the environment to find work. It's not going to fall into your lap, you're going to have to put far more effort into it than you would have had to back in London.

[londonsg]

Thanks WJ, you made some good points. Any tips about the best way to network with people here? What lines of communication/platforms work best here?

[Strong Eagle]

Thanks WJ, you made some good points. Any tips about the best way to network with people here? What lines of communication/platforms work best here?

Start drinking beer at Penny Black or Harry's on Boat Quay?
Join AASingapore or similar and get involved in a few events?

[Wong_Jnr]

Thanks WJ, you made some good points. Any tips about the best way to network with people here? What lines of communication/platforms work best here?

Do you belong to any social, sports or expat clubs here?
That's a sure fire way of meeting people who could help with putting you in touch or introducing you to the right contacts if it's not them themselves.
Just get yourself out there as it's easier in a less formal environment to break the ice and network.

You've also obviously got Linkedin...

[sundaymorningstaple]

londonsg, sorry for the misinformation. That happens occasionally when we misconstrue what was written (something like 'right' to work) When you said because of your wife, I misconstrued and though you were married to a Singaporean (been there, done that - still doing it 36 years later). Anyway, yes, the LoC is the same for both DP and LTVP+ but the LTVP+ is only given to the foreign spouses of Citizens/Permanent Residents. So to answer your question, no you do not need the LTVP+ the DP is all you need, but the employer still has to apply for it. Look up the FAQ's on the MOM.gov.sg site and learn all you can about the LoC so you can educate the interviewer if you get to the Interview stage. Until then, make sure you indicate the availability in your cover.

sms

https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permi ... of-consent

[sundaymorningstaple]

Wong_Jnr

The only LTVP that can have a LoC is the spouse of a Singaporean or Permanent Resident. e.g., defacto spouses cannot get DP's but are allowed LTVPs but are NOT allow to work on a LoC because only DP holders of S/EP holders are eligible for the LoC. But both LTVP & LTVP+ are allow if the spouse if a SGC or PR.