Worried, need support/advice on living here.

[Tigerlan]

I have spent a long time working on getting to Singapore, and with the support of a very good friend, I thought I would be able to come here and relatively quickly be allowed to work and live here. Apologies if this seems a little long, but I want to know if there's hope.

Surprise surprise, things keep going wrong. I'm not stupid, I didn't expect things to be easy, and I'm going tommorrow to the MOM to try and get extended stay and inquire about the necessary passes to live/work here, but any advice or support you guys could offer on the subject would be helpful.

I don't understand the difference between the working passes. I have to have a pass to work, but I have to work to get a pass, and while that all takes time, Singapore seems to want to eject me as quickly as possible. I'm committed to working, and my needs are very simple. I am not looking for wealth and riches. I just want to live and work here. I'm not sure how much detail I should go into about what's going on, but as far as credentials go I've had a lot of experience working in America from court reporters, to retail, to physical therapy. I have a charismatic and outgoing personality. I carry an Associate's in Liberal Arts, and have tutored English and writing plenty. I've got some Mandarin under my belt as well.

My available window of time to succeed seems very small and discouraging. Yet with so many ads, websites, and things aimed at expatriots, I know I can't be alone. HOW did you all overcome these problems? I am worried about being stuck illegally in a country that doesn't want me without money. I burned a lot of bridges in America to get here, and I don't want to give up. Maybe what they tell me tomorrow will actually be helpful and uplifting, but the trend has been bad news and discouragement. Just... can anyone help? I'd feel better knowing at least that I'm not alone....

-C

[jpatokal]

"You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!"

If there's one thing the Singaporean economy doesn't need, it's expats with liberal arts degrees, a grab-bag of useless experience and inflated expectations. You already screwed up by not sorting out your job prospects before arrival, but too late for that. Now, instead of whinging to MOM about your predicament, you should be concentrating your meager energies on getting a job. Once you have a firm job offer, the work pass etc will fall in place. But without it, you're history.

[Seringa]

Hey go easy on her. u dont have to be so rude!

As for the job why dont you try something a bit more simple like English teacher. Thats what singaporians really need a proper english . Dont try to jump skyhigh as Singapore is a very competitive place. If you will find something to begin with maybe something better will come along later. Wish yuo the best.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hey go easy on her. u dont have to be so rude!

As for the job why dont you try something a bit more simple like English teacher. Thats what singaporians really need a proper english . Dont try to jump skyhigh as Singapore is a very competitive place. If you will find something to begin with maybe something better will come along later. Wish yuo the best.

What a crock of shite you are passing!

First of all how do you know that it's a she to begin with? Secondly, the poster doesn't have any specialist experience and only has the equivalent of a Liberal Arts Diploma which is a diploma for those with enough money to go to university but not a clue what to do once there. (that's all an Associates Degree is). With no qualifications, no aspirations, no plans and NOT really as smart as the OP seems to think (else they wouldn't be in the predicament they are in at the moment).

Somebody needed to burst their bubble. What skills does that person have that cannot be already found here in a Polytechnic Diploma holder?

[Coopek]

Why not try jobsstreet.com or Jobsdbs.com to see whether there are any positions suit your skills. I have been told they are very good employment web sites. But, I must admit, I have not used any of them.
You got to start somewhere, Good luck

[seasider]

There are kinder ways of telling somebody what the situation really is.

OP - it seems you want to be here for personal reasons but, from what you've told us, you honestly don't have that special something that employers would go to the trouble of getting an Employment Pass for. Regardless of how cheaply they could get you, they still have to do this and convince MoM that they can't get a local to do the job.

As some have said, your best bet may be teaching English, but you have to be better than the thousands of expat wives that come here and take a TESOL course so they have something to do all day.

I'm an expat wife, with much more relevant commercial experience than yours, at a senior level, but no degree. I spent a year here, trying to get a decent job, and then gave up. It's tough, but Singapore doesn't owe me any favours.

[Tigerlan]

I got a job. Getting a job was never a problem. It's getting one that the government likes me having that was a problem.

You moderators are surprisingly hateful. You didn't seem to read my post carefully. You have no idea what my personal life is or what my qualifications are beyond what I told you about the pieces of paper I have, and I wouldn't have gotten this far in life if those pieces of paper were all that mattered - even though they carry too much weight as it is.

I am not here to be rich, or trying to strike gold, or any other such thing. I'm not trying to mooch of a country I was "too stupid" to research about before coming here. It's a stepping stone, and I did the best I could with the funds I could before I got here.

All I wanted was a little "don't give up!" or something from a community I thought would be supportive. Obviously I was seen more as a stupid, whiney bitch.

If you care to know, I left some full rides to Emory University behind me. Why would I do something so stupid? Because I was miserable and I've never wanted to do anything that requires those pieces of paper some of you stake your lives on. I don't want a family, a steady job, a new car every few years, and I don't hold things important that you people do. I need a place to go to the bathroom, food in my gut, and people to enjoy being with - which I don't need anything but a strong sense of self and charisma to do. Growing up poor taught me that. You read me so wrong.

I had hoped to accrue some extra cash on my way to other countries where people are in need of someone who can get their hands dirtier than the Peace Corps is willing/able. It wasn't necessary, my life wouldn't have been over if it didn't work out, but it was unsettling to have plans I thought I'd made flexible come so seemingly undone. I never expected things to go perfectly, but I hit a lot of 180s, and I would have to be Jesus Christ to not have made those mistakes so don't even think about jabbing me there (and even he was human). Even if I'd failed, I wouldn't have regretted the attempt, because I live for experience - even if I wouldn't want to repeat it.

These "pieces of paper" often tell me how broken the system from whence they come is, as I came out of my mother with the ability to do the job of many of the superiors I had better than they ever did. Still, I'm not looking to outdo anyone. Things are much more tight here in Singapore, though, and I am happy for that and the people who live here.

In the end, what helped me get this job more than anything else, was kindness.

I doubt I'll come back to these forums. But in case I do, don't bother responding critically unless you've read carefully.

-T

[jpatokal]

First of all, note SMS and I are posting here in our private capacity, not as moderators. My posting style is rather acerbic, so my apologies if I offended you, but you're perfectly free to accept my advice or call me an asshole to my (virtual) face.

I got a job. Getting a job was never a problem. It's getting one that the government likes me having that was a problem. ...
You have no idea what my personal life is or what my qualifications are beyond what I told you about the pieces of paper I have, and I wouldn't have gotten this far in life if those pieces of paper were all that mattered - even though they carry too much weight as it is.

Let me get this straight. You post a confused ramble here, asking for advice, and people assessed your situation as best they could -- remember, all they know about you is what you chose to tell them in that initial post of yours -- and gave you their honest opinions for free. And your response is to accuse them of being "hateful" and "wrong", tell them that in fact you already have a job (which you didn't say earlier) and that they have "no idea" about your situation. Who's to blame here?

All I wanted was a little "don't give up!" or something from a community I thought would be supportive. Obviously I was seen more as a stupid, whiney bitch.

Seems to be a pretty accurate summary -- but those are your words, not mine.

I don't want a family, a steady job, a new car every few years, and I don't hold things important that you people do. I need a place to go to the bathroom, food in my gut, and people to enjoy being with - which I don't need anything but a strong sense of self and charisma to do. Growing up poor taught me that. You read me so wrong.

Ah yes, as opposed to "us people", who value only first-class travel, well-mixed martinis and the pleasingly squishy feeling that comes from walking all over our social inferiors.

I doubt I'll come back to these forums. But in case I do, don't bother responding critically unless you've read carefully.

This is the "Careers & Jobs" forum, where people ask for and receive advice on, surprise surprise, careers and jobs. You might find the "Events, Gatherings, Making Friends" forum to be a little more supportive if you're looking for a shoulder to cry on.

[hei guess what]

I have spent a long time working on getting to Singapore, and with the support of a very good friend, I thought I would be able to come here and relatively quickly be allowed to work and live here.

From what you have written so far, it's obvious that you are not suitable for Singapore and vice versa, i.e. Singapore is not suitable for you. Unfortunately what the others have responded with above, although not what you want to hear, are all very true.

Seems like your "very good friend" may have done you a great disservice by encouraging you to burn your bridges and come out here.

Singapore is all about being No. 1

Singapore makes no bones about attracting the best from around the world to advance its success. Even it's own citizens who have not acquired the right qualifications (especially in science and technology, business and finance) or papers as you call it find it very tough going . . .

[lalit_72]

well well well..., seems hey guess what you are quite proud of the singapore talent but my friend ,let me inform you about reality check, i have a rich experience in dealing with the singapoerans and i don,t that that they are superior or intelligent or whatever than the other human species around the world.
only think which makes the singapore competitive in the world market is the govt. of singapore which is no doubt being run by some of the efficent leaders in the world. The rule of law & less social security makes the singaporeans to work harder & harder but its not that all the singaporeans are perfect in their jobs. I came come accross many receptionist,s in the hotels and markets who don,t how to behave properly with the customers & bank employees who are not aware of the most commen banking regulations and many more.
The guy with whom you are being blunt does not have any unjust demands. He just needs soem motivation & i am sure he can achieve his dream of working in singapore.
i wish him best of luck.

[seasider]

Well my post was me being nice but honest. If I was being nasty, you'd certainly know about it.

Tigerlan - I told you how it is. It's shitty, but that piece of paper does mean everything and even if that's wrong, it's the way it is in almost all cases.

With an attitude like "I came out of my mother with the ability to do the job of many of the superiors I had better than they ever did" you are endearing yourself to nobody, and maybe that's one way you are going wrong.

I wish you luck.

[GoldFibre]

Yet with so many ads, websites, and things aimed at expatriots, I know I can't be alone. HOW did you all overcome these problems?

I had a job contract and an employment pass lined up before I bought my plane ticket to Singapore. I chose this job over other offers back in the US and the Middle East after I graduated. I worked for that degree even though sometimes I had to do things that didn't seem relevant, and I used my full ride scholarship money to get experience overseas through internships.

Although - working (specifically) in Singapore was never a long-term goal of mine. I don't know that it would be a good strategy to try and pursue such a narrow and difficult path when it could be premature or unrealistic.

I guess what I'm saying is that instead of pissing on my good fortune back in college I took advantage of it.

[flying mushroom]

For the newbie like me, I think the most difficulty part is to find your own taste of the social groups, or simply to say get someone who you can trust and spend some together. everybody seems busy here. Work, family, and more business rutine contacts get-together in order to keep the social status. how much spare time you can get just for yourself. Work hard and then play even harder.... life is for joy and fun....