race? religion? photo?

[-/\=]

I'm referring to quite a few employers, and some employment websites. I have worked in singapore in the past, but that was with my US employers on an assignment. But this time while I'm actively seeking employment (on my own), a fair number of employment agencies, job-websites and even some employers directly ask your race/religion/gender and bizarrely for a photo as well! I don't know how to answer them...

I mean I feel this information is impertinent for my profession/position, then why do they ask? Is it mandated by law to disclose race/origin information in Singapore? I grew up in two Asian countries, went to school in the US and in all my (4 year) professional experience, never had an employer ask these details. Besides when they see me in person in an interview, they anyway know everything about me, so why ask in a resume or pre-screening? Should I refuse to entertain their questions? Any knowledgable opinions?

Please don't start racist(or anti-racist) banter, I seriously feel uncomfortabel disclosing any information other than my professional background.

[sundaymorningstaple]

You have been to Singapore working in the past. Did you stay in a closet the whole time you were here? Not trying to be funny but how can you work here and not pick up on the way things are done?

First of all, you are not in the West. In Singapore as well as most Asian countries, there are no laws against discrimination (the closest you will get is "you shouldn't do this..... not cannot). Therefore, if a company is predominantly of one race, it may not be comfortable if you are not of that race. Additionally, depending on the business and client mix you may be required to be fluent in other languages as well.

Unfortunately, you don't want to "start any racist banter" so therefore, you have to use the items above as gospel though they be far from the truth.

How to answer them? Depends on whether you want to be considered for the position. If yes, swallow your inhibitions. If not, forget about even getting to the interview table for the most part unless you are extremely high up the food chain.

If you want to work in Singapore either get over it or forget it. That's the way it is here and it's not going to change until the government puts teeth into anti-discrimination policies. And that's not going to happen anytime soon.

[ScoobyDoes]

Think of asking for a photo, for example........ you are advertising for a sales position.

You get an applicant with the right qualifications but without a photo you miss the piercing in the tongue or the mohican hairstyle. Hardly what you want for selling your product, let's say Mercedes Benz at C&C. The photo means you've saved his time and money coming for a job he won't get, you've save your own time interviewing somebody you won't give a job to AND you've given the interview slot to somebody more suited.

I've hired people now in 5 different Asian countries and to be honest, i have found the benefit in asking these questions, that i wouldn't be allowed to at home. Call it "Fore Warned is Fore Armed" or "Knowledge is Power" type stuff if you want, but the more you know about somebody from a CV the better choice you have in sorting interviews.

[-/\=]

thanks sundaymorningstaple...I can hear the voice of experience...well if I want to return to Asia, I have to swallow the Asian pill :S take it or leave it!

To Scoobydoes' take on it, you really thought I wouldn't show off my playboy center-spread for selling Mercs at CC?

[ScoobyDoes]

To Scoobydoes' take on it, you really thought I wouldn't show off my playboy center-spread for selling Mercs at CC?

I've seen some crazy stuff through the years, so whilst maybe you won't i wouldn't be surprised by some others.

[jpatokal]

To Scoobydoes' take on it, you really thought I wouldn't show off my playboy center-spread for selling Mercs at CC?

They'd probably hire you in a jiffy if you did!