Foreigner Local Diploma Holder needs help with job finding

[1miltothewin]

I couldn't find any info anywhere in the internet and posting it in Singapore based forums would just get a lot of unnecessary hate comments hence I'll just post it here.

I have a 3 year grant with MOE that requires me to work in a Singapore local entity for 3 years full time. While so far I have no problem working and earning money, the problem is jobs are very very very limited. I remember applying for my first job and I applied over 600+ jobs (75% online 25% emails and physical calls) and only 3 gave me an offer. This took me a year from years 2021-2022.

I'm now working in this company which gave me an SPass but the problem is I don't like working here anymore. It feels like the company exploited my current status of being a foreigner and just gave me very low base pay with no benefits at all. I only took it because I've been given shit offers so i took the least shit.

I applied for PR but it's still pending. What to expect because I'm a diploma holder and also in the "others" categories.

The advice I need is if there's any way i can find jobs? Like any particular websites? I don't want to lose my job but I don't like working here at all. I wish there's a choice just as easy as PRs do


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[sundaymorningstaple]

I couldn't find any info anywhere in the internet and posting it in Singapore based forums would just get a lot of unnecessary hate comments hence I'll just post it here.

This IS also a Singapore based forum. The fact that it geared to the expat community makes no difference. Except the contents are a lot more accurate. But you will get unvarnished answers that might not be to your liking. Take them with a grain of salt and read for content. Lot's of knowledge on this board and lots of archives to go through.

I have a 3 year grant with MOE that requires me to work in a Singapore local entity for 3 years full time. While so far I have no problem working and earning money, the problem is jobs are very very very limited. I remember applying for my first job and I applied over 600+ jobs (75% online 25% emails and physical calls) and only 3 gave me an offer. This took me a year from years 2021-2022.

I'm surprised you got any job offers. Frankly, when the minimum qualifications are as high as they are and most companies requiring a minimum of a Basic BSc degree at entry level. I'm surprised you even managed to find one job let alone 3 offers. A diploma is nothing when most foreigners coming here for S pass and upwards levels need a minimum of a Basic Degree, you should consider yourself lucky. The fact that you have been here for 10 years as student entitles you to nothing guaranteed at all. I used to be an HR & Finance Manager for a 250 man SME here. With the exception of 'some' my Malaysian work force, all my S pass holders and EP holders from other ASEAN countries had minimums of Degrees and usually a minimum of 5 years work experience before they arrived. Yes, MOE gives you a 3 year work requirement. That is so you can get the required work experience. But nothing in this country is given to you on a silver platter. There is always a quid pro quo involved. It's up to you to survive the test. If it's 3 years of lower salary, so be it, or get a flight home. You will not be the first to do so, nor will you be the last.

I'm now working in this company which gave me an SPass but the problem is I don't like working here anymore. It feels like the company exploited my current status of being a foreigner and just gave me very low base pay with no benefits at all. I only took it because I've been given shit offers so i took the least shit.

Of course the did. Companies as not government controlled in that sense. They will pay you the minimum salary as set out by law until you have something to offer (and a diploma frankly isn't much to offer at least not without experience). If you are not earning the minimum salary as required by the S pass application. Then take them to MOM court. Yes you will lose your S pass in all probability, but everybody has to eat a peck of dirt when starting out. Such is life. Sometimes when you change your profession it gets even worse (been there & done that - Methuselah isn't my avatar for the heck of it. I've been around the block a few times. I've changed professions 4x in my 60 years of employment and was successful with all of them.

I applied for PR but it's still pending. What to expect because I'm a diploma holder and also in the "others" categories.

Exactly. What did you expect? If you have been here 10 years you already know how the country works before you got your diploma. My question is why didn't you continue and get a degree?

The advice I need is if there's any way i can find jobs? Like any particular websites? I don't want to lose my job but I don't like working here at all. I wish there's a choice just as easy as PRs do

PR had to work hard to get there. Some as long as 10 or more years. Other never get it and eventually go home and all, myself included, had to eat a peck of dirt when when we first came here.

SMS

[Wd40]

I just feel the MoE grant/bond and the visa situation are out of sync. It is like the T&C of the grant/bond says you have to work in Singapore for 3 years. But then what if you don't manage to get an EP/SPass?

I just feel, like other countries have a post study work visa, Singapore should also offer a similar post study work visa where you can work for any employer and this visa should be tied to the MoE grant/ bond.

[1miltothewin]

I just feel the MoE grant/bond and the visa situation are out of sync. It is like the T&C of the grant/bond says you have to work in Singapore for 3 years. But then what if you don't manage to get an EP/SPass?

I just feel, like other countries have a post study work visa, Singapore should also offer a similar post study work visa where you can work for any employer and this visa should be tied to the MoE grant/ bond.

If we don't get an EP/SP then we have to go back to our home country. I have a lot of friends who have not found work for multiple years now because lots and lots of companies do not give out their work passes anyhow. It's so unfair. I hope MOE does something about it.


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