If you are really keen to work in Singapore, my advice is that you should try all possibilities.
From what I know, agencies like Robert Walters keep a global database of their candidates so it is worth a try. You can forward your CV to
[email protected].
Morgan Mckinley deal with banking IT only. In all honesty, I do not know much about IT so I'm not sure if they have jobs in your specialisation. You can try by logging on to their Singapore site.
Australia happens to be the regional base for many recruitment agencies and many Australian agencies advertise jobs in Singapore in some of their Australian job search sites so you might want to check that out.
Another possibility is to look out for contract positions, as many companies offer contract terms due to certain HR constraints and these positions get renewed most of the time, or made permanent. Usually, contract terms are more attractive than those offered in permanent positions.
I have a friend who applied for PR (permanent residency) in Singapore by setting up a company with a grand business plan for IT development, which he has absolutely no intention of putting into action. Surprisingly, he was given PR status and this helped him greatly in his job search. (not sure why since I am sure companies are able to apply for a work permit for him)
I think you should also try the online sites in Singapore too, reason being that jobs will first be advertised to see if they could be filled by locals. If no locals fit their criteria, they would then advertise elsewhere to attract foreign talent.
(i) db jobs
(ii)efinancialcareers
(iii) monster Singapore
Personally, I think that foreign talent get higher pay only for senior positions which can't be filled by locals, who do not have the required experience or qualifications. As for other positions, it seems as though foreign talents get higher pay because their pay package is calculated in a different way. As mentioned in my previous reply, locals are paid a monthly salary but it does not include the employer's contribution to CPF (which is an additional amount of money the employers have to contribute)
For eg : if a local is promised a monthly pay of SGD8000, the company needs to pay SGD8000 + CPF contribution (which is 12-14% of SGD8000) per month. So in actual fact, the cost of employing a local per month is not simply SGD8000 but SGD8000 + CPF contribution. Not sure if I am good at explaining this. You may want to look at the Singapore CPF site for a better explanation.
I understand that it can get rather depressing when one is looking for a job. I have been through that before but the good news is that the job market in Singapore is still buoyant so the chances of you getting a job remain positive. Don't reject a job just because of the money ; many a times, a job will open up doors to many more opportunities, especially in a small job market like Singapore's. Once you get yourself here, it will definitely be easier for you to get a better pay package.
Give me a day's time for me to consult my IT friends on the regional job websites they often visit.